Place Name: First Place Contestant Name: Sauk Rapids Herald Entry Title: Sauk Rapids Herald-GR-Nov. 7, April 24, Aug. 7 Entry Credit: Natasha Barber, Ellarry Prentice, Tom Fenton, Evan Michaelson, Jakob Kounkel Judge Comment: The contest between this first place entry, and second place came down to what some may consider an abstract part - the fact that photos play a vital part in the reporting process. The words we write not only tell the story, but also the photos which accompany them. It came down to a "smidgeon's" difference between the photos of first and second place. I really deliberated which place each would receive. It came down to the second sections in this paper which swayed my decision. Great job.
Place Name: Second Place Contestant Name: New London/Spicer - Lakes Area Review Entry Title: 9/26/20, 11/7/20, 2/20/21 Entry Credit: Lakes Area Review Judge Comment: I really wish I could have had a tie for first place, however that is not how these contests work. Top-notch reporting, not only through the quality of writing, but the variety of stories. Judging is many times subjective, and that is perhaps was the determining factor in choosing between the top two publications. The editorial team should be very proud of the product they produce.
Place Name: Third Place Contestant Name: Anoka County Union Herald Entry Title: Anoka County Union Herald General Reporting Entry Credit: Jonathan Young, Connor Cummiskey, Paige Kieffer, Patrick Slack, Emilee Wentland Judge Comment: The top three newspapers were virtually equal in their writing and variety. All three are top-notch publications. I would have liked to see a few more photos in this paper, but the lack thereof should not detract from the quality work this staff is doing. Fantastic job!
Competition Comment: I had five categories to judge this year, and this was the last, and most difficult. As I have said in the other contests, the writing in Minnesota is unrivaled. However the top three newspapers stood out, basically for the variety in their news coverage. Choosing between the final three proved to be very difficult, and I literally spent the last hour and a half deliberating on placements. Great job to all of the newspapers in this category.
