Forrelease: Friday,May25,2018Contact: JaclynLangan (205)871-7737

APABetterNewspaperContestAwardWinnersAnnouncedBirmingham,AL(May25,2018)–Selectwinnersofthe2018AlabamaPressAssociationBetterNewspaperContestwereannouncedbyDeeAnnCampbell,chairmanoftheAPABetterNewspaperContestCommittee.Thisyear,62newspaperssubmitted2,129entriesintheannualcontest.TheVirginiaPressAssociationjudgedtheentries.TheawardswillbepresentedonSaturday,July21atthe2018APASummerConventionatthePerdidoBeachResortinOrangeBeach,AL.Thefollowingeditorialcategorieswillnotbeannounceduntiltheawardsbanquet.Firstplaceawardsinthesecategorieswillbepresentedatthebanquet.Publisherswillbenotifiediftheirnewspaperisamongthefirstplacewinnersinanyofthesecategories.

• GeneralExcellence• PublicService• FOI–First

AmendmentAward• MostImproved• BestNewspaper

Website• Photographofthe

Year

• BestUseofPhotographs/EditorialContent

• BestEditorialPageorSection

• BestLifestyle/FamilyPages

• BestSportsPage

• BestLocalEconomicCoverage

• StoryoftheYear• BestLocalEducation

Coverage• BestLocalNews

Coverage• BestLayout&Design

Otherfirstplaceawardspresentedatthebanquet(alsoannouncedwithin)willinclude:

• BestNewsFeatureStoryCoverage• BestHeadline• BestSportsSingleEventStory

• BestOnlineBreakingNewsCoverage• BestNewsPhoto

Congratulationstoallofthewinners!

AlabamaPressAssociation2018BetterNewspaperContestWinners

Category9–BestSpotNewsStoryDivisionA1stPlace TimesDaily(Florence)for"Colbertcoronerdiesinaccident"byBernieDelinski 2ndPlace AlabamaMediaGroupfor"2brothersdeadinBirminghammurder-suicide"byCarolRobinson3rdPlace TheTuscaloosaNews for"Alargerthanlifelegacy"byMarkHughesCobbDivisionB1stPlace TheSelmaTimes-Journalfor"NotTheSelmaIGrewUpIn"byBlakeDeShazo 2ndPlace TheOutlook(AlexanderCity)for"PlanecrashesnearDadeville"byMitchSneed3rdPlace TheCullmanTimesfor"Standoffendsinfire,man’sdeath"byBenjaminBullard DivisionC1stPlace TheSandMountainReporter(Albertville)for"HurricaneIrma"byTaylorBeck,Jay

Beard2ndPlace TheChoctawSun-Advocate(Gilbertown)for"Twisterripsresidentsfrommobilehome"byDeeAnn

Campbell 3rdPlace TheCallNews(Citronelle)for"Dogfightoperationisbusted"byJasonBootheDivisionD1stPlace TheIslander(GulfShores)for"GulfShoresMardiGrasParadeAccident"byCrystal

Cole2ndPlace TheGreenvilleStandardfor"BrawlatGHSleadsto12arrests"byBruceBranum3rdPlace SumterCountyRecord-Journal(Livingston)for"PrystuptPackagingfiressuspicious"by

ThomasAusbornDivisionE1stPlace TheAuburnPlainsmanfor"Alt-rightleaderRichardSpencervisitsresultsinlargelypeacefulprotests"

byChipBrownlee2ndPlace TheAuburnPlainsmanfor"TwoTigerTransitemployeeschargedwithrape"byJohnPilati3rdPlace TheAuburnPlainsmanfor"ChuckPersontobechargedwithfraud"byChipBrownleeCategory10–BestIn-DepthNewsCoverageDivisionA1stPlace TheDecaturDailyfor“SheriffAnaFranklin”byKeithClines2ndPlace AlabamaMediaGroupfor“Lawmakerunderinvestigationaftertakingmoney,fightingSuperfund

cleanupoftoxicneighborhoods”byJohnArchibald,KyleWhitmire3rdPlace AlabamaMediaGroupfor“Toopoortovote:HowAlabama's'newpolltax'barsthousandsofpeople

fromvoting”byConnorSheets

DivisionB1stPlace TheDailySentinel(Scottsboro)for“DonSiegelman”byDeWaynePatterson2ndPlace Opelika-AuburnNewsfor“NCAAinvestigationofAuburncoach,ChuckPerson”byKaraColeman,Keith

Huffman,JoshVitale3rdPlace TheSelmaTimes-Journalfor“Waterturnedoff”byBlakeDeshazoDivisionC1stPlace TheLagniappe(Mobile)for“Sheriff’sdeputyChrisParsons”byJasonJohnson2ndPlace BirminghamBusinessJournalfor“AmazonIncentivesProject”bystaff3rdPlace BirminghamBusinessJournalfor“WhatTrump'senvironmentalpolicywillmean”byStephanie

RebmanDivisionD1stPlace TheCourier(Daphne/Fairhope)for“FairhopeMayorAssaultClaim”byCliffMcCollum2ndPlace TheEufaulaTribunefor“Eufaulagivesgo-aheadtovote”byTiffinyWoo,KyleMooty3rdPlace TheMoundvilleTimesfor“Domesticviolencemurders,suicideandresponses”byTravis

VaughnDivisionE1stPlace IronCityInk(Birmingham)for“UABSchoolSeries”bystaff2ndPlace TheAuburnPlainsmanfor“Protectionandcollateraldamage”byKrisMartins3rdPlace TheCherokeePost(Centre)for“NewhospitalCEO”bystaffCategory11–BestBusinessStoryorColumnDivisionA1stPlace TheTuscaloosaNewsfor“FarmersAssessDiaster'sToll”byEdEnoch2ndPlace AlabamaMediaGroupfor“Mr.Jim'sLastVegetablePlate”byBobCarlton3rdPlace TheDecaturDailyfor“Hospitals'storm”byEricFleischauerDivisionB1stPlace TheSelmaTimes-Journalfor“WhatHappened:St.JamesHotelboardedup”byJustinAverette2ndPlace TheClantonAdvertiserfor“Sixtyyearslater”byAnthonyRichards3rdPlace Opelika-AuburnNewsfor“FlyinghighoverabriarpatchbyTroyTurnerDivisionC1stPlace BirminghamBusinessJournalfor“TheOtherSideofAmazon”byTyWest,StephanieRebman2ndPlace TheLagniappe(Mobile)for“GrowingmarketfortheSouthernoyster”byJasonJohnson3rdPlace BirminghamBusinessJournalfor“WhatthefutureholdsforRegionsHarbertPlaza”byBrentGodwinDivisionD1stPlace TheAuburnVillagerfor“LawsuitfiledagainstPlanningCommission”byAllisonBlankenship2ndPlace TheDemopolisTimesfor“StillPumpingAfter75Years”byRobertBlankenship3rdPlace TheGreenvilleAdvocatefor“Citytopurchasehospital”byTracySalterDivisionE1stPlace IronCityInk(Birmingham)for“ANewAgeofBusiness”bySydneyCromwell2ndPlace VillageLiving(MountainBrook)for“ThebiggestdayinSmith'shistory”byLexiCoon3rdPlace TheCherokeePost(Centre)for“Cavanagh’sfarmalongwayfromhome”byKathyRoeButtramCategory12–BestFeatureStoryCoverage

DivisionA1stPlace AlabamaMediaGroupfor“GreggAllman”byMattWake2ndPlace AlabamaMediaGroupfor“ImmigrationtransformedthisruralAlabamatown”byAnnaClaireVollers3rdPlace AlabamaMediaGroupfor“WaynePerkins”byMattWakeDivisionB1stPlace TheOutlook(AlexanderCity)for“Sojourninthesaddle”byMitchSneed2ndPlace TheOutlook(AlexanderCity)for“Kendrickgoesbackintimetoproduceonelastbaleofcotton”by

MitchSneed3rdPlace TheOutlook(AlexanderCity)for“FloralBrilliance:PatFullerhascreatedarainbowofcolorsonMaple

Street”byMitchSneedDivisionC1stPlace TheAlabamaBaptist(Birmingham)for“UncleCudjo”byGraceThornton2ndPlace TheChoctawSun-Advocate(Gilbertown)for“ConstructingHistory”byDeeAnnCampbell3rdPlace ShelbyCountyReporter(Columbiana)for“SegregatedSunday”byBrianaHarrisDivisionD1stPlace TheGreenvilleAdvocatefor“Chanceonlineencounterreunitesfamilywithphoto “byAngie

Long2ndPlace TheSoutheastSun(Enterprise)for“HomelessintheCityofProgress”byMichelleMann3rdPlace SumterCountyRecord-Journal(Livingston)for“Ms.Blackie,'Hwy.80dog'dies”by

HermanWardDivisionE1stPlace 280Living(Birmingham)for“Buildingrobots,buildingconfidence”byEricaTecho2ndPlace CahabaSun(Trussville)for“NewYorkStory”byJesseChambers3rdPlace TheHomewoodStarfor“AidanCockrell:OntheBall”bySydneyCromwellCategory13–BestNewsFeatureStoryCoverageDivisionA1stPlace AlabamaMediaGroupfor“Theunexpectedaddict:HowheroindestroyedanAlabamadrugcounselor”

byAmyYurkanin2ndPlace DothanEaglefor“EnterpriseTornado:10yearslater”byStaff3rdPlace TheDecaturDailyfor“Avertingdisaster”byMichaelWetzelDivisionB1stPlace TheCullmanTimesfor“ColdSpringsnativeamongAmericansnotforgottenforwarsacrifices”by

BenjaminBullard2ndPlace TheDailySentinel(Scottsboro)for“DonSiegelman”byDeWaynePatterson3rdPlace TheDailySentinel(Scottsboro)for“RememberingCoachStrickland”byDeWayne

PattersonDivisionC1stPlace TheLagniappe(Mobile)for“DACArecipientsfaceuncertaintyasTrumpasksCongresstoact”byDale

Liesch2ndPlace ShelbyCountyReporter(Columbiana)for“Suicideleadstoculturechangeintight-knitcity”byNeal

Wagner3rdPlace TheAlabamaBaptist(Birmingham)“PrayforMountZion”byMargaretColsonDivisionD

1stPlace TheOnlooker(Foley)for“ElbertaPoliceChief”byCliffMcCollum2ndPlace TheAuburnVillagerfor“ThestruggletokeepAuburn'straditionalive”byBrianWoodham3rdPlace TheDemopolisTimesfor“HeroinDemopolis”byRobertBlankenshipDivisionE1stPlace 280Living(Birmingham)for“Expandingadialogue”byAlyxChandler2ndPlace VillageLiving(MountainBrook)for“Theseareourpeople”byLexiCoon3rdPlace VestaviaVoicefor“Family,friendsofGinnyBourlandcontinuefightforgynecologicalcancer

awareness,research”byEmilyFeatherstonCategory14–BestEditorialDivisionA1stPlace AlabamaMediaGroupfor“AlabamavotersmustrejectRoyMoore;weendorseDougJonesforU.S.

Senate”byJohnHammontree2ndPlace TheDothanEaglefor“SomeoneNeedstoSpeakUp”byBillPerkins3rdPlace TheTuscaloosaNewsfor“Acourageousresponsesendsstrongmessage”bystaffDivisionB1stPlace Opelika-AuburnNewsfor“AuburnUniversity'sboardoftrusteesowesAUfamilyafullexplanation”by

TroyTurner2ndPlace Opelika-AuburnNewsfor“It'stimeMoorestepsasideforAlabama'ssake”byTroyTurner3rdPlace DailyMountainEagle(Jasper)for“OurView:Wemustpasstaxforourfuture”bystaffDivisionC1stPlace BirminghamBusinessJournalfor“AnothertonedeaflawsuitputsAlabamabrandatrisk”byTyWest2ndPlace BirminghamBusinessJournalfor“Alabama'sself-inflictedwoundstakingtheirtoll”byTyWest3rdPlace TheAlabamaBaptist(Birmingham)for“Racismiswrong”byDr.BobTerryDivisionD1stPlace TheBaldwinTimesfor“Whatwillyoudecidetodo?”byGulfCoastMediaEditorialBoard2ndPlace TheDemopolisTimesfor“Timetomovepastcity'sstatuedebate”bystaff3rdPlace TheGreenvilleAdvocatefor“Battlingthoseholidayblues”byAngieLongDivisionE1stPlace CourierJournal(Florence)for“EradicateTheFoundingFathers?”byTomMagazzu2ndPlace TheRedstoneRocket(Huntsville)for“Cancerscreeningguidelinesprovideproactiveplan”byKatie

Skelley3rdPlace CourierJournal(Florence)for“DoesGenderlessMeanSenseless?”byTomMagazzuCategory15–BestHumorousColumnDivisionA1stPlace TheDothanEaglefor“Parenting,notsowelldone”byJimCook2ndPlace AlabamaMediaGroupfor“Alabamabracesfordevastating1to2inchesofsnow”byMattMitchell3rdPlace TimesDaily(Florence)for“Anotheroneofthosenights”byBernieDelinskiDivisionB1stPlace TheFortPayneTimes-Journalfor“I’vealwayslovedblowingthingsup”byBradleyRoberts2ndPlace TheOutlook(AlexanderCity)for“Amandogshouldn’tbesmarterthantheman”byMitchSneed3rdPlace DailyMountainEagle(Jasper)for“Someholidaytraditionshappenbyaccident”byJamesPhillips

DivisionC1stPlace TheLagniappe(Mobile)for“HiddenAgenda:ThehumorcolumnsofAshleyTrice”byAshleyTrice2ndPlace TheLagniappe(Mobile)for“DamntheTorpedoes:ThehumorofRobHolbert”byRob

Holbert3rdPlace TheChoctawSun-Advocate(Gilbertown)for“IHopeTheyDon'tMistakeMeforaSeal”byDeeAnn

CampbellDivisionD1stPlace TheBaldwinTimes(Foley)for“Callcentercrazies”byCliffMcCollum 2ndPlace TheEufaulaTribunefor“IthinkI'lljuststayhereandswatgnats”byKyleMooty3rdPlace TheWetumpkaHeraldfor“Holidaysbringfireworks...tomykidneys!”byDavidGrangerDivisionE1stPlace CourierJournal(Florence)for“NotAllIt'sCrackedUpToBe”byJimFisher2ndPlace CourierJournal(Florence)for“FacebookFrenimies”byJimFisher3rdPlace CourierJournal(Florence)for“YouAreAllGoingToDie”byJimFisherCategory16–BestHumanInterestColumnDivisionA1stPlace AlabamaMediaGroupfor“Myjourneyofbeingashamedtobeblack”byJoneceStarrDunigan2ndPlace AlabamaMediaGroupfor“TheBadNews:Idon’thaveParkinson’s”byMikeOliver3rdPlace TheTuscaloosaNewsfor“Adadwhotookprideinbeingafather”byJoeyChandlerDivisionB1stPlace Opelika-AuburnNewsfor“Aboy'sicecreammeltshearts”byTroyTurner2ndPlace TheDailySentinel(Scottsboro)for“Aloveofbaseball”byDeWaynePatterson3rdPlace TheOutlook(AlexanderCity)for“Lessonslearnedfromlife'shardknocks”byMitchSneedDivisionC1stPlace TheChoctawSun-Advocate(Gilbertown)for“TheLittleCanOvershadowtheBigAfterAll”byDeeAnn

Campbell2ndPlace CallNews(Citronelle)for“HoponthebiasedmediaTimeMachine”byEmmettBurnett3rdPlace TheCitizenofEastAlabama(PhenixCity)for“PerhapstoolateIlearnedthedifference”byMarkClarkDivisionD1stPlace TheEufaulaTribunefor“Mygenerositydidnotincludewelcomingcats”byKyleMooty2ndPlace TheEufaulaTribunefor“RememberingthegoodtimesatWesternAuto”byKyleMooty3rdPlace TheDadevilleRecordfor“Whatyouthinkofyouisallthatmatters”byMitchSneedDivisionE1stPlace CourierJournal(Florence)for“GiveChristmasaHand”byCathyTurner2ndPlace CourierJournal(Florence)for“StrengthThroughStruggle”bySteveShelton3rdPlace CourierJournal(Florence)for“WhataMuleTaughtMe”bySteveSheltonCategory17–BestEditorialColumnorCommentaryDivisionA1stPlace AlabamaMediaGroupfor“2017:TheyearofpeakAlabamafication”byKyleWhitmire2ndPlace AlabamaMediaGroupfor“Wasthatmonkeyexperimentemailracist?”byJohnHammontree3rdPlace TheTuscaloosaNewsfor“RoyMoorewasnottheonlyloseronTuesday”byTommyStevenson

DivisionB1stPlace TheOutlook(AlexanderCity)for“MytwocentsontheheartofRussellCorp.”byMitchSneed2ndPlace Opelika-AuburnNewsfor“Yes,LGBTQputafloatintheparade;don'tmissthebiggerheadline”by

TroyTurner3rdPlace TheClantonAdvertiserfor“ThePossumKingofChiltonCounty”byBillySingletonDivisionC1stPlace TheLagniappe(Mobile)for“DamntheTorpedoes:ThecolumnsofRobHolbert”byRobHolbert2ndPlace TheLagniappe(Mobile)for“HiddenAgenda:ThecolumnsofAshleyTrice”byAshleyTrice3rdPlace TheMonroeJournal(Monroeville)for“AnopenlettertoallNFLprotestors”BoBoltonDivisionD1stPlace TheBaldwinTimes(Foley)for“Alabamacanbebetter”byCliffMcCollum2ndPlace TheWetumpkaHeraldfor“Facebookkillingsparksquestsforanswers”byDavidGranger3rdPlace TheDemopolisTimesfor“Park&Recreationswingingforthefences”byRobertBlankenshipDivisionE1stPlace TheAuburnPlainsmanfor“ForthegoodofAuburn,JayJacobsmustgo”bystaff2ndPlace CourierJournal(Florence)for“WhenYourWholeWorldChanges”byTomMagazzu3rdPlace CourierJournal(Florence)for“RelentlessLeaderInspiredOthers”byTomMagazzuCategory18–BestSportsNewsIn-DepthCoverageDivisionA1stPlace TheTuscaloosaNewsfor“ShouldYourKidPlayFootball?”bystaff2ndPlace AlabamaMediaGroupfor“TitleIXinvestigationfoundex-AuburnfootballplayerLandonRice

'responsible'forsexualassault”byJamesCrepea3rdPlace AlabamaMediaGroupfor“InsidethetechnologygivingAlabamaacompetitiveedge”byRainerSabinDivisionB1stPlace TheSelmaTimes-Journalfor“Champs”byThomasScott,AlainaDeneanDeshazo2ndPlace Opelika-AuburnNewsfor“JayJacobssteppingdownasAuburn'sathleticsdirector”byJoshVitale3rdPlace TheClantonAdvertiserfor“Manandmachine”byAnthonyRichardsDivisionC1stPlace ShelbyCountyReporter(Columbiana)for“DaboSwinneycoverage”bystaff2ndPlace TheSandMountainReporter(Albertville)for“FormerBoazcoachdiesat39”byShannonAllen3rdPlace ShelbyCountyReporter(Columbiana)for“RegionsTraditioncoverage”byAlecEtheredge,Keith

McCoyDivisionD1stPlace TheEufaulaTribunefor“Basketballsuccess;CaesartookEHS”byKyleMooty2ndPlace TheAuburnVillagerfor“ChuckPersonchargedinbriberyscheme”byBrianWoodham3rdPlace CherokeeCountyHerald(Centre)for“TheMeatoftheSandwich”bystaffDivisionE1stPlace VillageLiving(MountainBrook)for“LacrossecapitalofAlabama”bySamChandler2ndPlace CahabaSun(Trussville)for“GoingtheDistance”bySamChandler3rdPlace 280Living(Birmingham)for“JugglingAct”byKyleParmleyCategory19–BestSportsSingleEventStory

DivisionA1stPlace AlabamaMediaGroupfor“ThestoryinsideAlabama'sstunnedlockerroom'likeadeathinthefamily'”

byMichaelCasagrande2ndPlace TheTuscaloosaNewsfor“TideAD”byBenJones,AaronSuttles3rdPlace AlabamaMediaGroupfor“FromTimCooktoJarrettStidham,Auburn'sIronBowlcelebrationforthe

ages”byJohnTaltyDivisionB1stPlace TheCullmanTimesfor“CullmanCountyTourney:LadyAggiesstormpastColdSpringstowin1st

countytitlesince198”byJakeWinfrey2ndPlace TheCullmanTimesfor“'NeverGiveUp:Willoughbyoverwhelmedwithoutpouringofcommunity

support”byJakeWinfrey3rdPlace TheSelmaTimes-Journalfor“ThanksCoach:DCwins,holdsceremonytohonorMoore'scareer”by

DanielEvansDivisionC1stPlace CitronelleCallNewsfor“You’vegottohavefaith”byTommyHicks2ndPlace CitizenofEastAlabamafor“Wrightgets600thwin”byMarkClark3rdPlace TheMonroeJournalfor“Bulldogsdoitagain”byMikeQuallsDivisionD1stPlace CherokeeCountyHerald(Centre)for“HatefulDearnsSpringGarden”byShannon

Fagan2ndPlace TheGreenvilleAdvocatefor“Georgianafootballendsabruptly”byJonathanBryant3rdPlace TheMoultonAdvertiserfor“Chiefsreturnfromthedead”byCalebSuggsDivisionE1stPlace TheRedstoneRocket(Huntsville)for“Amputeesoftballteaminspiresjustbytakingfield”bySkip

Vaughn2ndPlace VestaviaVoicefor“Statetrackandfield:Thomas'triumphhighlightsDay1”bySamChandler3rdPlace MadisonWeeklyNewsfor“ItsAllGood”byBobLabbeCategory20—BestSportsFeatureStoryDivisionA1stPlace AlabamaMediaGroupfor“Thebeatgoeson:HowdrumshelpedAuburn'sStephenRobertstriumph

overtragedy”byTomGreen2ndPlace AlabamaMediaGroupfor“HowthecoachwhofollowedBearBryantstillhashisfingerprintson

Alabama”byRainerSabin3rdPlace AlabamaMediaGroupfor“LatefatheramotivatorforAlabama'slatestwalk-onsuccessstory”byMatt

ZenitzDivisionB1stPlace TheSelmaTimes-Journalfor“1977Selmateamlooksbackonchampionship”byDanielEvans2ndPlace TheDailyMountainEaglefor“Wrestlingperfectfit”byJohnathanBentley3rdPlace Opelika-AuburnNewsfor“TheManBehindTheMask”byJoshVitaleDivisionC1stPlace CitronelleCallNewsfor“When‘Bama’was‘TheNatural’”byTommyHicks2ndPlace CitronelleCallNewsfor“TributetoSatsumaplayer’smother”byDarronPatterson3rdPlace TheMonroeJournalfor“WorldChampion”byMikeQualls

DivisionD1stPlace TheEufaulaTribunefor“TroytohonorEufaulalegend”byKyleMooty2ndPlace TheWetumpkaHeraldfor“MonsterMotivation”byCoryDiaz3rdPlace TheGreenvilleAdvocatefor“Localtakesfirstinmartialartisttourney”byJonathanBryantDivisionE1stPlace HooverSunfor“FirstladyofHooverfootball”byJonAnderson2ndPlace VestaviaVoicefor“PlayingHardball”byKyleParmley3rdPlace 280Living(Birmingham)for“UncommonStar”byKyleParmleyCategory21—BestLocalSportsColumnDivisionA1stPlace AlabamaMediaGroupfor“MangoesincreekforSabanautographandadventurebegins”byJoseph

Goodman2ndPlace TheTuscaloosaNewsfor“Rememberingadadwhotookprideinbeingafather”byJoeyChandler3rdPlace AlabamaMediaGroupfor“HughFreezeproventobeasanctimoniousfraud”byJohnTaltyDivisionB1stPlace SelmaTimes-Journalfor“CelebrationlongoverdueforConcordiabasketball”byDanielEvans2ndPlace SelmaTimes-Journalfor“Coachesoftenfacetoughscenarios”byDanielEvans3rdPlace AthensNewsCourierfor“Anthemprotestsdividingcountry”byJeffEdwardsDivisionC1stPlace ShelbyCountyReporter(Columbiana)for“Nafewillberememberedfornevergivingup”byAlec

Etheredge2ndPlace CallNews(Citronelle)for“JoeyJonesbuilttheJaguars”byTommyHicks3rdPlace TheCitizenofEastAlabama(PhenixCity)for“Heatehiswaytothetopofhissport”byMarkClarkDivisionD1stPlace TheGreenvilleAdvocatefor“PowelltransformedGeorgiana”byJonathanBryant2ndPlace OpelikaObserverfor“AlabamaWithdrawsMyers'sScholarshipOffer”byD.MarkMitchell3rdPlace TheAuburnVillagerfor“SECshouldswapdivisionsforAuburn,Missouri”byBrianWoodhamDivisionE1stPlace CourierJournal(Florence)for“ATouchofLoveandClass”byJerryKnight2ndPlace 280Living(Birmingham)for“HighSchoolAthleticsYearinReview”byKyleParmley3rdPlace MadisonWeeklyNewsfor“ForJohnny,signingtoplayincollegewasalittledifferent”byBobLabbeCategory22–BestFeaturePhotoDivisionA1stPlace TimesDaily(Florence)for“DowntownhostsFirstFriday”byJimHannon2ndPlace TheDecaturDailyfor“CrescentMoonSmile”byCrystalVanderWeit3rdPlace TheDecaturDailyfor“PuddleReflection”byJeronimoNisaDivisionB1stPlace TheSelmaTimes-Journalfor“Purplerain”byAlainaDeneanDeshazo2ndPlace TheOutlook(AlexanderCity)for“Eclipsewithchurchsteeple”byMitchSneed3rdPlace Opelika-AuburnNewsfor“LakeMartinPolarPlunge”byToddVanEmstDivisionC

1stPlace TheChoctawSun-Advocate(Gilbertown)for“PraiseinthePark”byAndreaGraham2ndPlace TheChoctawSun-Advocate(Gilbertown)for“BoneChillin’Cold”byDeeAnnCampbell3rdPlace TheAdvertiser-Gleamfor“SnowandSleigh”byAdamPrestridge DivisionD1stPlace TheGreenvilleAdvocatefor“GHSgrads”byJonathanBryant2ndPlace TheGreenvilleAdvocatefor“Eclipse”byJonathanBryant3rdPlace TheDemopolisTimesfor“BaptismAboardtheWedge”byRobertBlankenshipDivisionE1stPlace TheRedstoneRocket(Huntsville)for“Pathtoeducation”byBryanBacon2ndPlace IronCityInk(Birmingham)for“UABMarchingBand”bySarahFinnegan3rdPlace CahabaSun(Trussville)for“Hewitt-TrussvilleHighSchoolBand”bySarahFinneganCategory23—BestNewsPhotoDivisionA1stPlace TheDothanEaglefor“DothanMournsSlainTeen”byJayHare2ndPlace TheDecaturDailyfor“LittleActivist”byJeronimoNisa3rdPlace AlabamaMediaGroupfor“BidenattheBJCC”byJoeSongerDivisionB1stPlace Opelika-AuburnNewsfor“Vigilforfatalmobilehomefire”byToddVanEmst2ndPlace TheClantonAdvertiserfor“Jemsiongraduation”byStevenCalhoun3rdPlace AthensNewsCourierfor“SolareclipseatSPARKAcademy”byJessicaBarnettDivisionC1stPlace ShelbyCountyReporter(Columbiana)for“Live-firetraining”byKeithMcCoy2ndPlace TheChoctawSun-Advocate(Gilbertown)for“Homecoming(Embrace)”byDeeAnnCampbell3rdPlace CallNews(Citronelle)for“MusicandsmilesatUSA”byBradMcPhersonDivisionD1stPlace TheGreenvilleAdvocatefor“PioneerElectricmeeting”byAngieLong2ndPlace TheCourier(Daphne/Fairhope)for“WalktoSchoolDay”bystaff3rdPlace OpelikaObserverfor“AuburnBeatsBama”byRobertNolesDivisionE1stPlace HooverSunfor“GaryPalmerTownHall”bySarahFinnegan2ndPlace TheRedstoneRocket(Huntsville)for“Raiseaglass”byBryanBacon3rdPlace TheRedstoneRocket(Huntsville)for“SgtMajtakesamoment”byBryanBaconCategory24—BestSpotNewsPhotoDivisionA1stPlace AlabamaMediaGroupfor“ImpendingBentleyresignation”byJoeSonger2ndPlace TheMontgomeryAdvertiserfor“Airshowacrobatics”byMattMcKean3rdPlace TheTuscaloosaNewsfor“ClaybrookFire”byErinNelsonDivisionB1stPlace TheSelmaTimes-Journalfor“NotTheSelmaIGrewUpIn”byAlainaDeneanDeshazo2ndPlace Opelika-AuburnNewsfor“RichardSpencerprotestorsclashwithsupporters”byToddVanEmst3rdPlace TheFortPayneTimes-Journalfor“Fireclaimshome”byCandraRoberts

DivisionC1stPlace TheChoctawSun-Advocate(Gilbertown)for“FieryCrash”byDeeAnnCampbell2ndPlace TheCitizenofEastAlabama(PhenixCity)for“Cemeteryflooding”byBlendaCopeland3rdPlace TheAdvertiser-Gleam(Guntersville)for“Treewasonlyescapeoption”byJoeCagleDivisionD1stPlace TheSoutheastSun(Enterprise)for“Murdersuspectcaptured”byLauraFezie2ndPlace ClayTimes-Journal(Lineville)Journalfor“FireDestroysMountainHome “byJustinMcCullersDivisionE1stPlace TheAuburnPlainsmanfor“ProtesteratRichardSpencereventinAuburn”byMatthewBishop2ndPlace VestaviaVoicefor“VestaviaFloodDrone”bystaff3rdPlace TheRedstoneRocket(Huntsville)for“Commanderinchief”byBryanBaconCategory25–BestSportsPhotoDivisionA1stPlace AlabamaMediaGroupfor“AISAStateChampionship”byJulieBennett2ndPlace TheDecaturDailyfor“ExcitedFan”byJeronimoNisa3rdPlace TimesDaily(Florence)for“Three-Peat”byMattMcKeanDivisionB1stPlace TheClantonAdvertiserfor“Dirtbikeride”byAnthonyRichards2ndPlace TheEnterpriseLedgerfor“WildcatsSmashSmithsStation”byHenryOtto3rdPlace DailyMountainEagle(Jasper)for“Oakmanleap”byJohnathanBentleyDivisionC1stPlace ShelbyCountyReporter(Columbiana)for“HuskyHeroes”byKeithMcCoy2ndPlace TheAdvertiser-Gleam(Guntersville)for“Seniorshugafterloss”byJoeCagle3rdPlace TheCitizenofEastAlabama(PhenixCity)for“JustynRossonehandedcatch”byGlennPeppersDivisionD1stPlace TheDadevilleRecordfor“Pressureison”byCliffWilliams2ndPlace OpelikaObserverfor“TimHudsonPitchesforMiracleLeague”byRobertNoles,RebekahMartin3rdPlace TheGreenvilleAdvocatefor“GeorgianafallstoSacredHeart”byJonathanBryantDivisionE1stPlace TheRedstoneRocket(Huntsville)for“Autograph”byBryanBacon2ndPlace VestaviaVoicefor“PoleVaultatSunset”bySarahFinnegan3rdPlace IronCityInk(Birmingham)for“TimothyAlexanderandUABFootball”bySarahFinneganCategory26—BestPhotoEssayDivisionA1stPlace TheDecaturDailyfor"Robertismyhero"byCrystalVanderWeit2ndPlace AlabamaMediaGroupfor“ElectioninAlabama”byJoeSonger3rdPlace TheTuscaloosaNewsfor“HonorFlight”byGaryCosbyJr.DivisionB1stPlace TheCullmanTimesfor“Highs&Lows”byAmandaShavers-Davis2ndPlace TheOutlook(AlexanderCity)for“FightNightHalloween2017”bystaff

3rdPlace TheClantonAdvertiserfor“Historyinaction”bystaffDivisionC1stPlace ShelbyCountyReporter(Columbiana)for“Preppedfordisaster”byKeithMcCoy2ndPlace ShelbyCountyReporter(Columbiana)for“Thebluemap”byKeithMcCoy3rdPlace TheChoctawSun-Advocate(Gilbertown)for“RippedApart:TornadohitsChoctaw”byDeeAnn

CampbellDivisionD1stPlace TheDadevilleRecordfor“PlayBall:OpeningDay”byCliffWilliams2ndPlace TheEufaulaTribunefor“OnedriverstillcriticalafterFridaywreck”byTiffinyWoo3rdPlace OpelikaObserverfor“FlashyFourth”byRobertNoles,RebekahMartinDivisionE1stPlace TheRedstoneRocket(Huntsville)for“Oktoberfest”byBryanBacon2ndPlace IronCityInk(Birmingham)for“RecordnumberoffanscelebrateUABfootball'sreturn”bySarah

Finnegan3rdPlace 280Living(Birmingham)for“280LivingFidoFest2017”byEmilyFeatherstonCategory27—BestUseofGraphicsorIllustrationsDivisionA1stPlace TheTuscaloosaNewsfor“ConcussionAwarenesshasshotthroughtheroof”bystaff2ndPlace TheTuscaloosaNewsfor“Afuturewithoutfootball?”bystaff3rdPlace AlabamaMediaGroupfor“ReckonaissanceReports”byRamseyArchibaldDivisionB1stPlace TheOutlook(AlexanderCity)for“Driven”byKennethBoone,staff2ndPlace TheDailySentinelfor“Debtconsolidation”byDeWaynePatterson3rdPlace TheSelmaTimes-Journalfor“Deadlyyear”byBlakeDeshazoDivisionC1stPlace BirminghamBusinessJournalfor“MappingtheSurge”byDerekMorrow2ndPlace BirminghamBusinessJournalfor“Howvaluesarechanginginkeyareas”byDerekMorrow3rdPlace TheCitizenofEastAlabama(PhenixCity)for“Top10moments”bystaffDivisionD1stPlace TheSoutheastSun(Enterprise)for“JS2Shelpsnewstudentsfeelwelcome”byLauraFezie2ndPlace TheSoutheastSun(Enterprise)for“FarmCityWeek”bystaff3rdPlace TheSoutheastSun(Enterprise)for“WeatherWorry“byLauraFezieDivisionE1stPlace 280Living(Birmingham)for“ABridgeTooFar”byKristinWilliams2ndPlace TheRedstoneRocket(Huntsville)for“HallofHeroes”byAmyTolson,BryanBacon,KelleyLane3rdPlace VestaviaVoicefor“HolidayintheHillsEventMap”byMelanieVieringCategory28–BestHeadlineDivisionA1stPlace TheTuscaloosaNewsfor“AlabamasaysnoMoore”byKenRoberts2ndPlace TheTuscaloosaNewsfor“Glazedandenthused”byKenRoberts3rdPlace TimesDaily(Florence)for“Mollie'sfull,brightfuture”bystaff

DivisionB1stPlace TheCullmanTimesfor“Uh,TheDude?BigLebowski,Sabanamonglocalwrite-invotes”byAmanda

Shavers-Davis2ndPlace TheOutlook(AlexanderCity)for“ChickenTruckCluckUp”byMitchSneed3rdPlace TheSelmaTimes-Journalfor“CeaseFire”byJustinAveretteDivisionC1stPlace ShelbyCountyReporter(Columbiana)for“Cuttingthegrass”byAlecEtheredge2ndPlace TheMonroeJournal(Monroeville)for“Trainslamsintostranded”byBoBolton3rdPlace TheLagniappe(Mobile)for“BarleyLegal”byDaleLieschDivisionD1stPlace OpelikaObserverfor“'Keepin'itReel'”byRachelKing2ndPlace TheGreenvilleAdvocatefor“KFCgrilledbycustomercomplaints”byJonathanBryant3rdPlace TheEufaulaTribunefor“I'vegota50percentchanceofbeingright,right?”byKyleMootyDivisionE1stPlace VillageLiving(MountainBrook)for“LivingLaVidaLocal”byKristinWilliams2ndPlace IronCityInk(Birmingham)for“Didgeridude”bySydneyCromwell3rdPlace HooverSunfor“AbsintheMinded”byEricaTechoCategory29—BestOneTimeSpecialSection–NewsprintorGlossyDivisionA1stPlace TheTuscaloosaNewsfor“ShouldYourKidPlayFootball?”bystaff2ndPlace TheTuscaloosaNewsfor“Ten,Adecadeofdominance”bystaff3rdPlace TheTuscaloosaNewsfor“Mercedes,ADrivingForce”bystaffDivisionB1stPlace Opelika-AuburnNewsfor“RoadtoAtlanta”bystaff2ndPlace TheClantonAdvertiserfor“Progress“bystaff3rdPlace TheOutlook(AlexanderCity)for“AlexanderCityOutlook125YearsofService”bystaffDivisionC1stPlace BirminghamBusinessJournalfor“PartnersinPhilanthropy”bystaff2ndPlace TheMonroeJournal(Monroeville)for“Forestry”byBoBolton3rdPlace TheCitizenofEastAlabama(PhenixCity)for“TheMakingofMenFootballGuide”bystaffDivisionD1stPlace TheGreenvilleAdvocatefor“PetCalendar”bystaff2ndPlace TheDemopolisTimesfor“Demopolis200”bystaff3rdPlace TheSoutheastSun(Enterprise)for“VeteransDay”bystaffDivisionE1stPlace TheRedstoneRocket(Huntsville)for“BreastCancerPink”bystaff2ndPlace TheRedstoneRocket(Huntsville)for“MemorialDay”bystaff3rdPlace TheRedstoneRocket(Huntsville)for“VeteransDay”bystaffCategory30—BestNichePublication–NewsprintorGlossyDivisionA

1stPlace TheTuscaloosaNewsfor“RunningWild”bystaff Editorial 2ndPlace TimesDaily(Florence)for“TennesseeValleyBrides”bystaff 3rdPlace TheTuscaloosaNewsfor“2018PhotoCalendar”bystaff DivisionB1stPlace AthensNewsCourierfor“Blitz2017”byJeffEdwards 2ndPlace TheSelmaTimes-Journalfor“Gridiron2017”bystaff 3rdPlace TheOutlook(AlexanderCity)for“Driven”bystaff DivisionC1stPlace TheAlabamaBaptist(Birmingham)for“TheAlabamaBaptist:Celebrating175Yearsof

Informing,InspiringandConnectingBaptists”bystaff 2ndPlace ShelbyCountyReporterfor“ShelbyCountyfootball2017”byAlecEtheredge 3rdPlace BirminghamBusinessJournalfor“BookofLists”byDanBagwell,DerekMorrow,BrookeHowell DivisionD1stPlace TheGreenvilleAdvocatefor“ChamberMagazine”bystaff 2ndPlace TheGreenvilleAdvocatefor“FootballMagazine”staff 3rdPlace TheSoutheastSun(Enterprise)for“Bride”bystaff DivisionE1stPlace HooverSunfor“TheHistoryofHoover”bystaff 2ndPlace 280Living(Birmingham)for“BirminghamMetroFootballMagazine”byKyleParmley,SamChandler,

SarahFinnegan 3rdPlace TheAuburnPlainsmanfor“WelcomeBack”bystaff Category31—CreativeUseofMultimediaDivisionA1stPlace TheDecaturDailyfor“RobertisMyHero–Amother’sjourneytosecuremedicalmarijuanaforher

son”byCrystalVanderWeit,CatherineGodbey2ndPlace TheDecaturDailyfor“LastManStanding:Episode1,TheManandtheRiver”byJeronimoNisa,

CatherineGodbey3rdPlace TheTuscaloosaNewsfor“YourguidetoTuscaloosaregionalsoftball”byTommyDeas,MollyWalshDivisionB1stPlace Opelika-AuburnNewsfor“Alt-rightspeakerRichardSpencervisitsAuburnUniversity”bystaff2ndPlace TheCullmanTimesfor“LIVERESULTS|CullmanCo.votersturnoutindrovestosupportMoorein

unsuccessfulsenatebid”byTiffenyOwens3rdPlace TheOutlook(AlexanderCity)for“ChickenTruckCluckUp”MitchSneedDivisionC1stPlace ShelbyCountyReporter(Columbiana)for“Gameoftheweekfootballvideos”byAlecEtheredge2ndPlace TheChoctawSun-Advocate(Gilbertown)for“SunTV”bystaff3rdPlace BirminghamBusinessJournalfor“CraneWatch”byBrentGodwinDivisionD1stPlace TheSoutheastSun(Enterprise)for“CitycemetaryholdskeytoEnterprisehistory”byLauraFezie,

MichelleMann2ndPlace TheSoutheastSun(Enterprise)for“Localchildrenshowofftheircreativetransformations”byLaura

Fezie3rdPlace TheSoutheastSun(Enterprise)for“WallsupatnewCoppinville”byCassieGibbs,MichelleMann

DivisionE1stPlace 280Living(Birmingham)for“ABridgeTooFar”bystaff2ndPlace TheAuburnPlainsmanfor“Adayinthelife:RicSmithandabehindthesceneslookattheAuburn

Gameday”GannonPadgett3rdPlace VestaviaVoicefor“TamingtheFlow”byEmilyFeatherston,AlyxChandlerCategory32—OnlineBreakingNewsCoverageDivisionA1stPlace TimesDaily(Florence)for“Boyfriendchargedinwoman’sshootingdeath”byTomSmith2ndPlace TheDecaturDailyfor“AreabracesforremnantsofHurricaneIrma”bystaff3rdPlace TimesDaily(Florence)for“TommyArthurExecution”byTomSmith,BernieDelinskiDivisionB1stPlace TheSelmaTimes-Journalfor“NotTheSelmaIGrewUpIn”byBlakeDeshazo2ndPlace TheOutlook(AlexanderCity)for“Twosuspectedkillersincustody,chargedinthekillingofLaDarrell

Hart”byMitchSneed3rdPlace TheOutlook(AlexanderCity)for“Highway280shooting”byMitchSneedDivisionC1stPlace BirminghamBusinessJournalfor“BirminghamlandsnationalhistoricmonumentdesignationforCivil

RightsDistrict”bystaff2ndPlace BirminghamBusinessJournalfor“CoverageoflaunchofInnovateBirmingham”byTyWest,Tyler

Patchen3rdPlace BirminghamBusinessJournalfor“Bentleyresignation”bystaffDivisionD1stPlace SumterCountyRecord-Journal(Livingston)for“EscapeeCaptured”byTommyMcGraw,TravisVaughn,

KaseyDeCastra2ndPlace TheSoutheastSun(Enterprise)for“MurdersuspectcapturedduringSWATraid”byCassieGibbs3rdPlace TheSoutheastSun(Enterprise)for“CoopernewEnterprisemayor”byMichelleMannDivisionE1stPlace VestaviaVoicefor“Heavyraincauses‘unprecedented’floodinginlowerU.S.31Corridor”byEmily

Featherston2ndPlace 280Living(Birmingham)for“HooverteenkilledTuesdaynightrememberedascharismatic,fun-loving

guy”byJonAnderson3rdPlace IronCityInk(Birmingham)for“BirminghamMayoralElectionCoverage”byLexiCoon,JesseChambersCategory33—BestUseofSocialMediaDivisionA1stPlace AlabamaMediaGroupfor“ReckonbyAL.com”byRamseyArchibaldandstaff2ndPlace TheTuscaloosaNewsfor“TideSports-Twitter”bystaff3rdPlace TimesDaily(Florence)for“RonniePannellseesson’smemorialforthefirsttime”byMattMcKeanDivisionB1stPlace TheOutlook(AlexanderCity)for“Insidethelineslive”byLiziArbogastandScottHardy2ndPlace TheDailySentinel(Scottsboro)for“100thDayofSchool”bystaff3rdPlace TheSelmaTimes-Journalfor“GridironCoverContest”byAlainaDeneanDeshazo,ThomasScott

DivisionC1stPlace ShelbyCountyReporter(Columbiana)for“FootballgameoftheweekFacebookvideos”byAlec

Etheredge2ndPlace TheAdvertiser-Gleam(Guntersville)for“FacebookPage”bystaff3rdPlace BirminghamBusinessJournalfor“BirminghamBusinessJournalFacebookLiveSeries”bystaffDivisionD1stPlace SumterCountyRecord-Journal(Livingston)for“EscapeeCaptured”byTommyMcGraw,TravisVaughn,

KaseyDeCastra2ndPlace TheAtmoreAdvancefor“Facebook“bystaff3rdPlace TheMoundvilleTimesfor“MissingfromtheFamilyDollar?”byKaseyDeCastra,TravisVaughnDivisionE1stPlace VestaviaVoicefor“July2017FloodCoverage”byEmilyFeatherston2ndPlace HooverSunfor“GaryPalmerTownHall”byLexiCoon,SarahFinnegan3rdPlace 280Living(Birmingham)for“SnowDayPhotos”byAlyxChandler