Central Missouri Newspapers staff earned 31 awards in the Missouri Press Association's 2018 Better Newspaper Contest, announced Sept. 15 during the 152nd Missouri Press Convention in St. Louis.
In the Dailies - Class 2 division, the Jefferson City News Tribune staff took third place in the General Excellence category.
The News Tribune staff also took first place in Best Coverage of Government for its coverage of Jefferson City government's efforts regarding stormwater infrastructure; second place in Best News or Feature Special Section for quarterly business publication #jcmo Inside Business; second place in Community Service for "A Christmas Wish," an annual series highlighting the work of United Way of Central Missouri agencies and the clients they serve; second place in Magazine/Alternative Publication for HER Magazine; third place in Best Coverage of Government for coverage of the Jefferson City Public Schools bond issue; third place in Best Front Page; third place in Best Editorial Pages; honorable mention in Best Headline Writing; and honorable mention in Best Online Newspaper or Website.
Opinion Page Editor Gerry Tritz earned first place in the Best Editorial category for "State should adequately fund public defender system," second place in the same category for "Deserving state workers might get raises next year," and honorable mention in the same category for "Greitens political maneuvers an insult to Missourians."
Reporter Bob Watson won second place in Best Investigative Reporting for a package of stories evaluating the budget dedicated to travel expenses under former Lincoln University President Kevin Rome and its yields for the university.
Reporter Phillip Sitter received second place in Best Story About Education for "Kinship over diversity," comparing diversity and inclusion challenges in Jefferson City Public Schools to those in Columbia schools; third place in Best Military Story for "2017 graduates reflect on military decision;" third place in Best News Story for "Shake it out," covering local efforts in a regional earthquake drill; and third place in Best Story About Religion for "Division in the diocese," reporting on the Catholic Diocese of Jefferson City's implementation of a new guidance on school admission of students from "non-traditional" families.
Former News Tribune reporter and current California Democrat Editor Michelle Brooks received second place in Best Story About History for "Remembering the dead in a forgotten cemetery," a story about efforts to assemble information about those buried at Jefferson City's Hedge Grove Cemetery.
Design Editor Molly Skyles earned second place and third place in Best Page Design.
Jim Dyke took second place and third place in Best Editorial Cartoon.
Reporter Philip Joens received third place in Best Business Story for "Prevailing sentiment," which examined opinions regarding a proposed repeal of Missouri's prevailing wage law, and third place in Best Story About Rural Life or Agriculture for "Bushels of worry," which described the concerns of farmers and agriculture advocates amid low commodity prices in fall 2017.
Sitter and reporter Nicole Roberts earned third place in Best News or Feature Series for multiple articles following the Jefferson City community's discussions about issues of diversity.
Sports reporter Jason Strickland won third place in Best Sports Feature Photograph for a June 2017 photo from the Jefferson City Jays baseball team's state championship win.
Sports Editor Tom Rackers earned third place in Best Sports Columnist for "Press Box."
Former photographer Emil Lippe received honorable mention in Best Feature Photograph.
In the Weeklies - Class 2 division, Michelle Brooks of the California Democrat earned honorable mention in the Best Story About Rural Life or Agriculture category for "Pedal hard, advice from winning pullers," a feature story about the Jamestown Lions Club Kiddie Tractor Pull.