Place Name: First Place Contestant Name: Marshall Independent Entry Title: Marshall Independent general excellence Entry Credit: Mike Lamb, Cindy Votruba, Sam Thiel Judge Comment: This publication recognizes the importance of state and national news .. but its strong emphasis on local news serves readers well. They demonstrate a commitment to their editorial page and, the paper has lots of newshole. The local photography is excellent and the classifieds are clean and easy to read. A fun note is that at the top of 1A daily, a different subscriber is recognized and thanked.
Place Name: Second Place Contestant Name: Willmar - West Central Tribune Entry Title: Tue., November 6, 2018; Tue., February 26, 2019; Thur., June 13, 2019 Entry Credit: Staff Judge Comment: The all local 1A pages are colorful, eye-catching and have interesting design work. Their centerpiece story on the 2/26 snowstorm was especially strong. The Willmar Fests special section was also interesting reading and well done.
Place Name: Third Place Contestant Name: New Ulm - The Journal Entry Title: The Journal, New Ulm — General Excellence Entry Credit: Staff Judge Comment: Page 1 offers a good mix of local, state and national news. Sports have a strong local emphasis The weekend Planner is an attractive helpful arts and entertainment calendar.
Page design is clean, with good use of color (and good reproduction quality)