News Journal earns first place in General Excellence at 2023 KPA awards banquet

The News Journal brought home 23 awards Friday night at the annual Kentucky Press Association convention awards banquet, including its seventh First Place General Excellence Award in eight years.

Sports Editor Trevor Sherman, News Editor Mark White and Reporter Timothy Wyatt at the 2023 KPA awards banquet in Bowling Green.

The News Journal garnered seven first place awards in 27 categories plus the first place general excellence award in the large weekly newspaper division. The News Journal also won nine second place awards, four third place awards and two certificates of merit.

“We are very proud of the accomplishments of our award winning staff,” said News Journal Publisher Don Estep. “It is a tremendous honor to be recognized by our peers in this manner, and we feel these awards reflect the hard work and dedication our staff puts into each and every issue. I’m proud of our staff. It is the best.”

Reporter Timothy Wyatt and Sports Editor Trevor Sherman led the way winning seven awards each.

Wyatt garnered a first place award for best enterprise or analytical story for a story concerning the Whitley County Fiscal Court joining a lawsuit against the Kentucky Department of Corrections.

“Shines a light on an important topic, especially as it pertains to taxpayers’ money and provides necessary details to understand the system. Quotes nicely sprinkled throughout,” judges wrote.

Wyatt won both the first and second place awards for best video. The second place award was for video taken during the 2023 Kayaking for Kids kayak race along the Cumberland River near Williamsburg.

The first place award was for coverage of opening night at Corbin High School’s football stadium, which had recently undergone a $9 million renovation and expansion. The celebration also commemorated 2023 being the 100^th anniversary of Corbin High School football.

“Great production values and use of drone footage showing the special place of football within the community. Would have liked a little more of the superintendent’s speech to give it a little more context,” judges wrote.

Wyatt also received second and third place awards for best general news picture. His second place picture was a drone shot taken during the opening night celebration for Corbin High School’s football stadium, and the third place award was for a picture of a circus performer.

In addition, Wyatt received a second place award for best feature picture for a photo feature a small child and an older lady, which was taken during the annual Easter Egg hunt at Briar Creek Park.

Wyatt also received a third place award for best breaking news coverage for a story concerning the arrest of Williamsburg attorney James Wren on a DUI charge while he was on his way to court for a trial.

“Heads-up reporting online and on social media of an event happening after press time. The follow-up information in the paper the next week rounds it out well,” judges wrote.

Sherman won first place for best sports story for a piece on 15-year-old Corbin boxer Ayden Mills.

“Different subject compared to a usual game story made this more interesting,” judges wrote.

Sherman also won a first place award for best sports page or sports section.

“Nice job covering a lot of winners. Good photos; keep taking action shots,” judges wrote.

Sherman garnered a second place award for best business story for his story about the closing of Gibson’s Music after 54 years in downtown Corbin,

He also got second place awards for best sports picture and best headline writer.

Sherman received a certificate of merit in the categories of best sports column and best use of social media. The social media award came from his coverage of the Whitley County High School Baseball Team as it won its first state title in program history.

Managing News Editor Mark White brought home a first place award for best editorial writer.

“Well-researched and thought-out editorials, written so people can easily grasp the point and see the issue. The vaping entry, especially, should have hit home with people, especially parents,” judges wrote.

White won a second place award for best ongoing/extended coverage story for coverage of a public hearing concerning the United States Forest Service’s proposal to clear cut about 1,000 acres of Daniel Boone National Forest in the Jellico Mountain area.

“It’s apparent from the meeting turnout and the residents voicing outrage this was a big issue in your community. And you did a great job bringing it to the forefront,” judges wrote.

In addition, White won a third place award for best columnist.

The News Journal staff also won first place awards for best website and best sports picture essay.

In addition, News Journal staff won first, second and third place awards for best special section/sports special section. The first place award was for the 2023 high school football preview, and the second place award was for the 2022-2023 high school basketball preview. The third place award was for a magazine that the News Journal published celebrating 100 years of football at Corbin High School.

Also, the News Journal received a second place award for best editorial page.