By Pailey Gordon
Graphic Designer
Fillmore County Journal
In late January 2026, the Minnesota Newspaper Association hosted their 159th Annual Awards Banquet and Conference in Brooklyn Park. Ellen Whalen and I had the privilege to represent our newspaper and attend the three day conference. Big conversations over the weekend were about how important local news is and how we are trusted by all of our readers to share unbiased and fair reporting. We are honored to serve this area.
There are over 200 daily and weekly newspapers spanning the 87 counties that make up the State of Minnesota.
Out of the 4,102 entries from all newspapers in the state, the Fillmore County Journal earned eight awards in the categories of advertising, editorial, and online presence.
- 1st Place – Classified Advertising Section
Judge’s comments: “Clean, clear section headers. Easy to read and well organized.”
- 1st Place – Website
Judge’s comments: “Impressive amount of content, both news and advertising that shows
comprehensive attention to a broad coverage area. The site is inviting to navigate and makes for an easy-to-use experience for readers.”
- 1st Place – Human Interest Story – Personality Feature/Profile (“Pink Dolphins” by Charlene Corson Selbee)
Judge’s comments: “Excellent photos and layout. This story really drew me in. Very colorful and engaging.”
- 1st Place – Human Interest Story – News Feature (“Emma Illg and Malia Tessum Travel to India” by Wanda Hanson)
Judge’s comments: “Not only is this an engaging and interesting story, but the design elements really elevate it. This story wins on the strength of the writing and the design, together, as well as the subject matter.”
- 1st Place – Sports Feature Story (“Hubka Returns After Open-Heart Surgery” by Zech Sindt)
Judge’s comments: “Hubka Returns After Open-Heart Surgery (1st Place) – Awesome story to highlight, well written. Story is easy to read and flows well.”
- 1st Place – Columnist (Peering at the Past by Lee Epps)
Judge’s comments: “Colorful view through the lens of local history.”
- 2nd Place – Special Section
Judge’s comments: “The 40th anniversary section was a great way to reintroduce yourself to the public. Loved the color and design of the breast cancer and Veterans Day sections.”
- 3rd Place – Online Advertising
This is a shared success, involving the collaboration, communication, and ideas of the entire team at the Fillmore County Journal.
Over the past nine years, the team at the Fillmore County Journal has amassed a combined total of 272 awards from three organizations: Association of Community Publishers, Midwest Free Community Papers, and Minnesota Newspaper Association.
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