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Division	Edit Or Adv	Class	Winner	Judge Notes	Newspaper	Name of Entry	Files	URL
C. Non-multiday: 1,501 to 3,000	Special Awards	57. Lynn Smith Community Leadership Award	3rd Place	Well-done series of conversations on an important topic. Appreciate the deep dive into this issue.	Luverne - Rock County Star Herald	Mental Health Awareness	57 Lynn Smith Community Leadership Award - Mental Health Awareness - 6x5.45 STAR MEDIA mental health.jpg 57 Lynn Smith Community Leadership Award - Mental Health Awareness - 6x7.25 STAR MEDIA ANNOUNCER TOP mental health 0426.jpg 57 Lynn Smith Community Leadership Award - Mental Health Awareness - Rock County Star Herald - TEARSHEET.pdf 57 Lynn Smith Community Leadership Award - Mental Health Awareness - 6x5.45 STAR MEDIA mental health - TEARSHEET.pdf 57 Lynn Smith Community Leadership Award - Mental Health Awareness - 6x7.25 STAR MEDIA ANNOUNCER TOP mental health 0426 - TEARSHEET.pdf 57 Lynn Smith Community Leadership Award - Mental Health Awareness - 6x20.75 STAR MEDIA ANNOUNCER mental health 0517.jpg 57 Lynn Smith Community Leadership Award - Mental Health Awareness - 6x20.75 STAR MEDIA ANNOUNCER mental health 0517 - TEARSHEET.pdf	https://www.starmedia.today/mentalhealth https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhDMIOXrONlwKoEZVQGWfB5H0xkmlwH8D
G. Multiday: 3,001 to 7,000	Special Awards	57. Lynn Smith Community Leadership Award	1st Place	You were made aware of a problem in the community (and across the country) and responded with a well-researched series o More ...	Albert Lea Tribune	Breaking the silence	Lynn Smith Community Leadership Award-Albert Lea Tribune.pdf Column.2.pdf Column.1.pdf Editorial.pdf Mental.health.2.pdf Mental.health.3.1.pdf Mental.health.3.2.pdf Mental.health.4.pdf Mental.health.1.pdf Mental.health.5.pdf
E. Non-multiday: 7,001 and over	Special Awards	57. Lynn Smith Community Leadership Award	2nd Place	A piece that is vitally important these days, done in a clear and concise manner, and made available to the audience it More ...	Minneapolis - Minnesota Womens Press	"Know Your Rights" special issue for immigrants: MN Womens Press	41-4.5-Special-issue.pdf	https://www.womenspress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/41-4.5-Special-issue.pdf
C. Non-multiday: 1,501 to 3,000	Special Awards	56. Category X - Starfish	1st Place	The journalist has an excellent ability to tell stories, and a wide variety of stories at that. They clearly show streng More ...	Anoka County Union Herald	Starfish award	No Kings, No Fear.pdf Protect everyone.pdf BOOKS RETURNED.pdf Pizza Flame2-combined.pdf Garbage.pdf	https://www.hometownsource.com/abc_newspapers/community/anoka/no-kings-no-fear/article_76b033b0-e758-4358-86e6-3a06bad5d49f.html https://www.hometownsource.com/abc_newspapers/news/local/writers-block-protect-everyone-we-dont-have-to-choose/article_e99ab85c-ea49-11ef-a30a-3fb95ee08271.html https://www.hometownsource.com/abc_newspapers/community/anoka/anoka-rejects-hauler-offer-takes-it-to-the-open-market/article_3bd0ef1e-6715-11ef-a415-f76f5bc6caf4.html https://www.hometownsource.com/abc_newspapers/community/coonrapids/new-owner-looks-to-reignite-pizza-flame/article_b4b587ec-8b13-11ef-9ae1-8f847d98d880.html https://www.hometownsource.com/abc_newspapers/community/stfrancis/lawsuit-settlements-reverse-st-francis-book-ban/article_c86c5c9b-b0f5-44bb-98bd-032474b357aa.html
C. Non-multiday: 1,501 to 3,000	Special Awards	56. Category X - Starfish	2nd Place	Being the editor of a weekly print newspaper is a challenge! You have to do everything, and this entry shows the person More ...	Pequot Lakes - Pineandlakes Echo Journal	Category X - Starfish	Government news story - Nisswa City Council.pdf Column - importance of newspaper history.pdf News photo - Governor's Fishing Opener.pdf Governor's Fishing Opener Gov. Walz at Zorbaz May 9, 2025.JPG Health story - Grit and Grace.pdf Entertainment story - Clue play feature.pdf
B. Non-multiday: 1,001 to 1,500	Special Awards	56. Category X - Starfish	3rd Place	Excellent range to be able to tell a variety of stories in many different topics.	Canby News	Essence of Community	City council approves purchase of grain bin vacuum.pdf Meal With Millie.pdf Sports - State Wrestling.pdf Lund-Hoel break-in.pdf Minnesota West solar array.pdf
C. Non-multiday: 1,501 to 3,000	Special Awards	55. Explanation of Newspaper Operations or Newspaper Ethics	3rd Place	Journalists face a lot of no win situations. This was one of them. By expressing that you do care, even if you have a to More ...	Luverne - Rock County Star Herald	Yes. We care.	55 - Lori Sorenson - Explanation of news 'Yes. We Care'.pdf
G. Multiday: 3,001 to 7,000	Special Awards	55. Explanation of Newspaper Operations or Newspaper Ethics	2nd Place	Rather than just fret about the decay of our democracy and our discourse, the entry "Don't do these five things in 2025" More ...	Alexandria Echo Press	Explanation of Newspaper Operations/Ethics	AEPR_010825_A04_bw.pdf AEPR_012425_A04_bw.pdf AEPR_053025_A05_bw.pdf
E. Non-multiday: 7,001 and over	Special Awards	55. Explanation of Newspaper Operations or Newspaper Ethics	1st Place	This article is not, as are so many of the opinion articles covering the state of our democracy or our political discour More ...	Minneapolis - Northeaster	Media bias, or how I learned to stop worrying and trust the news	250813 Media bias, or how I learned to stop worrying and trust the news - Davis Steen.pdf
H. Multiday: 7,001 and over	Special Awards	54. Freedom of Information Award	1st Place	This was a difficult category to judge, in that the entries were extremely diverse. In the end, this entry takes first p More ...	Grand Forks Herald	Sunshine Week coverage	031925 Wenzel, Conduct government in the brightest light – always.pdf 031925 Otto, Roosevelt, Minnesota focused on transparency and improvement years after difficulty with records.pdf 032225 Irvine, Lawmaker, Records requests should be private.pdf
H. Multiday: 7,001 and over	Special Awards	54. Freedom of Information Award	3rd Place		Fargo/Moorhead - The Forum	Coverage of The Metro Flood Diversion Authority		https://www.inforum.com/news/fargo/north-dakota-attorney-general-says-diversion-board-broke-open-meeting-laws-with-dispute-review-board-meetings https://www.inforum.com/news/fargo/diversion-committee-met-in-secret-17-times-discussed-rebuilding-non-compliant-structures https://www.inforum.com/news/fargo/members-of-f-m-diversion-dispute-board-resign https://www.inforum.com/news/fargo/taxpayers-to-pay-57-million-in-settlement-over-construction-claims-in-fm-diversion-project
E. Non-multiday: 7,001 and over	Special Awards	54. Freedom of Information Award	2nd Place	These columns are well written. The writer is not afraid to hold back opinions on areas that she is passionate about. Co More ...	St. Paul - Midway Como Frogtown Monitor	Press freedom	54_Freedom_MCM-TMC.pdf
H. Multiday: 7,001 and over	Special Awards	53. Government/Public Affairs Reporting	1st Place	This was an amazing story. Well written, well put together. Great series of articles.	Fargo/Moorhead - The Forum	Minnesota Vice series		https://www.inforum.com/minnesota-vice
C. Non-multiday: 1,501 to 3,000	Special Awards	53. Government/Public Affairs Reporting	3rd Place	This entry had one of the most cohesive samplings in the category. It's not a dramatic topic, but then again many local More ...	Edina Sun Current	Government/Public Affairs Reporting-Vernon Avenue Site-Alex Kautzman	11-21-24 Story 1 jump.pdf 11-21-24 Story 1.pdf 12-12-24 Story 2.pdf 12-26-24 Story 3.pdf 5-15-25 Story 4-jump.pdf 5-15-25 Story 4.pdf
C. Non-multiday: 1,501 to 3,000	Special Awards	53. Government/Public Affairs Reporting	2nd Place	The piece on the county attorney and the increase in prosecuting sexual abuse cases was the best piece in the sample - p More ...	Cloquet - Pine Knot News	Covering Carlton County	022825.PKNPage3-Admin.pdf 081525.PKNPage5-budget again.pdf 072525.PKNPage5-budgeting.pdf 082925.PKNPage6-solar.pdf BSPKNAttorney.pdf
D. Non-multiday: 3,001 to 7,000	Special Awards	52. Herman Roe Editorial Writing Award	3rd Place	Tightly crafted and clear call to action for county officials on a matter of public safety. Details possible solutions a More ...	Blooming Prairie - Steele County Times	County needs to issue parking ban on BP roadway	SCT_A04_04_02.pdf
H. Multiday: 7,001 and over	Special Awards	52. Herman Roe Editorial Writing Award	2nd Place	Good framing and lots of detail about the redevelopment proposal. Someone can catch up quickly even without reading othe More ...	Grand Forks Herald	Herman Roe: Water treatment plant a grand opportunity – or historic mistake	053125 Wenzel, Water treatment plant a grand opportunity – or historic mistake.pdf
H. Multiday: 7,001 and over	Special Awards	52. Herman Roe Editorial Writing Award	1st Place	Tightly written piece that asks important questions and also seeks to keep public officials from removing a protection t More ...	Grand Forks Herald	Herman Roe: Hell hath no fury like the owner of a towed vehicle	051725 Wenzel, Hell hath no fury like the owner of a towed vehicle.pdf
F. Multiday: up to 3,000	Special Awards	51. Best Use of Social Media	1st Place	Fantastic way to expand on print stories with videos on socials to attract more readesr and interactions	Park Rapids Enterprise	Park Rapids Enterprise - Best Use of Social Media	ItascaStateParkLoonDay20Sept2025.pdf UrgentNeedAtBadouraStateNursery13Sept.2025.pdf SchmidersAndMainAveWereTopHangouts6Aug2025.pdf	https://www.instagram.com/reel/DNW6qc7Mq2B/?hl=en https://www.instagram.com/p/DOeH5R4EZjd/?hl=en https://www.instagram.com/reel/DM1EAedRaed/?hl=en
B. Non-multiday: 1,001 to 1,500	Special Awards	51. Best Use of Social Media	2nd Place	Strong, timely coverage that keeps the community connected through real-time updates and photos. Effective cross-platfor More ...	Jackson County Pilot	Jackson County Pilot - Best Use of Social Media-Pilot Sports	Best Use of Social Media-Pilot Sports.doc Best Use of Social Media-Pilot Sports.pdf