Athens Banner-Herald wins multiple awards in state's Better Newspaper Contest

Staff Reports
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FILE - Georgia defensive lineman Jalen Carter (88) holds LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) in the air in celebration after sacking Daniels during the first half of the SEC Championship NCAA college football game between LSU and Georgia in Atlanta, on Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022. This photo was one of many that were recognized on Friday, June 9, 2023 in the Georgia Press Association Better Newspaper Contest.

The Athens Banner-Herald on Friday won second place in the General Excellence category for the Georgia Press Association's Better Newspaper Contest.

Held annually with a ceremony and banquet in Jekyll Island, the Better Newspaper Contest this year presented 490 awards in 46 categories to 61 news publications from throughout the state. The Banner-Herald competed in Division B, which includes daily publications with a circulation less than 8,000.

Also winning in the General Excellence Category in Division B were The Valdosta Times with first place and LaGrange Daily News coming in third.

Other awards won by the Banner-Herald and its staff include:

  • News Photograph: Winning 1st, 2nd and 3rd place was Joshua Jones.

  • Sports Feature Photograph: Winning 1st, 2nd and 3rd place was Joshua Jones.

  • Feature Photograph: Winning 1st, 2nd and 3rd place was Joshua Jones.

  • Photo Essay: Winning 1st, 2nd and 3rd place was Joshua Jones.

  • Religion Writing: Winning 2nd place was Nikolai Mather.

  • Enterprise Story: Winning 2nd place was Marc Weiszer.

  • Investigative Reporting: Winning 3rd place was Wayne Ford.

  • Sports Column: Winning 1st place was Ryne Dennis.

  • Business Writing: Winning 1st place was Wayne Ford.

  • Sports Covering: Winning 1st place was Ryne Dennis and 2nd place was Marc Weiszer.

  • Sports Feature Story: Winning 1st and 2nd place was Marc Weiszer.

“Each day our dedicated journalists serve our communities, informing, enlightening and connecting with our readers,” said Jill Nevels-Haun, Coastal South Group Editor for Gannett, the parent company of the Banner-Herald. “I am so proud of their work, and overjoyed to see their efforts recognized as some of the best in our state.”

This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Athens Banner-Herald win several awards in Better Newspaper Contest