News Journal wins fifth General Excellence Award in six years

The News Journal claimed 19 awards Friday at the annual Kentucky Press Association Convention awards banquet, including its fifth First Place General Excellence Award in six years.

News Journal Publisher Don Estep said that he was proud of the News Journal staff, which he said continues to dominate in the large weekly category each year at the Kentucky Press Association Convention.

The News Journal received nine first place awards, five second place awards and four third place awards in addition to General Excellence.

News Journal People Editor Jennifer K. Perkins lead the way with nine individual awards, in addition to a tenth award that she shared with Managing Editor Mark White.

Perkins received first place awards for best enterprise/analytical story, best on-going/extended coverage, best business/agribusiness story, best headline and best social media.

Perkins took the first-place award in best social media for her interactive September 11 social media campaign.

“Very timely coverage of the event that changed all out lives 20 years ago,” judges wrote of Perkins’s first place entry. “Every aspect was driven by local sources. Wonderful graphics. This may be the best coverage of this tragedy we’ve viewed.

In addition to her first-place awards, Perkins received three second place finishes and two third place awards, one of which she shared with White for best picture essay.

White brought home three first place awards for best breaking news coverage, best column and best editorial page.

“Between the attractive cartoons and the width and breadth of the subjects tackled on the opinion pages, this entry easily deserved first,” judges store of White’s first place editorial page.

In addition to his first-places awards, White also received one second place award and two third place awards, one of which he shared with Perkins.

News Journal Sports Editor Dean Manning brought home two awards including the first-place award for best sports column.

“Your columns add an informative layer to the sports coverage not addressed in game recaps,” judges said about Manning’s sports column.

Manning also brought home the third-place award for best sports story.

Former sports editor Trevor Sherman also picked up a second-place award at the convention for best business/agribusiness story.