Southwest Ledger won 10 awards in the National Newspaper Association Foundation’s 2024 Better Newspaper Contest.
The contest attracted 1,513 entries, and 676 awards were won by 92 newspapers in 32 states.
The Ledger’s awards this year included: Best Serious Column (daily and non-daily division, circulation less than 3,000): Don Armes, honorable mention for This is Where the Cowboy Rides Away.
So Long, Crutcher’s.”
Judge’s comments: “A sweet, well-told and detailed remembrance of a community's vital industry that has been so changed by technology.
Story-Series - Best Business Story (non-daily division, circulation less than 2,000): Mike W. Ray, first place for “Michelin Closing: Workers at Ardmore tire plant to receive separation benefits.”
Judge’s comments: Well-researched and well-written story on a subject that I'm sure was the hot gossip in the community. Very well done.
Story-Series - Best Profile Feature Story (non-daily division, circulation less than 2,000): M. Scott Carter, first place for “Gaddie Out: Prominent Political Scientist Leaves OU after 25 years.”
Judge’s comments: Brilliant profile that captured the essence of its subject, compelling the reader to want to know everything possible about this man. In the hands of this talented writer, the profile was told with a depth of feeling not always evident from others. Outstanding.
Story-Series - Best Feature Series (daily and non-daily division, circulation less than 6,000): M.
Scott Carter, second place for “The hidden Watergate story.”
Judge’s comments: Terrific depth, terrific writing, an excellent story. Writer drew conclusions and offered personal commentary mixed with historic sourcing and sometimes factual elements without attribution.
Story-Series - Best Investigative or In-Depth Story or Series (non-daily division, circulation less than 3,000): Mike W. Ray, honorable mention for “Chickasha Water Plant from Idea to Ballot.”
Judge’s comments: Lots of work done here.
Best Editorial (non-daily division, circulation less than 2,000): Southwest Ledger Editorial Board, third place for “Half-penny sales tax hike obvious choice for financing new Chickasha water treatment plant” Judge’s comments: Excellent job explaining a complex issue. A lot of pertinent information shared, and the graphics helped. Best sentence of all the entries: “Today is now the tomorrow that was discussed yesterday.”
Best Reporting on Local Government (non-daily division, circulation less than 2,000): Mike W. Ray, first place for “Boynton Town Audit.”
Judge’s comments: Wow, what a great report! It's hard to dispute court records, bank records, cashed checks that have been endorsed, payroll records and receipts — or lack thereof. Solid reporting supported by a wellsourced paper trail that gives readers all the information they need to know. This is government-watchdog reporting at its finest! Stories like these remind readers why newspapers continue to play an important role in their daily lives. This is a fine example of enterprise reporting. In fact, this is the only enterprise story submitted in the contest. All others were simply reporters covering a beat — city council meetings, courts, and other breaking news events that must be covered.
But the Ledger expended the time and resources to file open records requests, seek out comments from those involved. Great job. Head-and-shoulders above all the other stories submitted.
Best Reporting on Local Government (non-daily division, circulation less than 2,000): second place, Mike W. Ray, “All 4 officials indicted over asphalt plant plead to reduced charges and sentenced.”
Judge’s comments: Good beat reporting. I'm certain the story provided your readers with lots of insight into these defendants and their actions. Most likely, people speculated about what happened and why and the outcome.
Typically, in cases like these, the defendants simply lie about their involvement or non-involvement. Then, a local newspaper, like the Ledger, lays out the facts. Good job.
Best Reporting on Local Government (non-daily division, circulation less than 2,000): third place, Mike W.
Ray for “Cotton County officials engulfed in scandal.”
Judge’s comments: Good beat reporting. Keep up the good work! I'm certain your readers learned a lot about this county official by reading this story. Can anyone so willing to kill helpless animals be trusted in positions of power or using their position to intimidate investigators?
The readers can decide that for themselves by reading this story. Well done.
News and Opinion on Public Corruption (daily and non-daily division): Mike W. Ray, first place for “Fraud and corruption discovered in Tryon.”
Judge’s comments: Good professional tone. Covers the matter at hand thoroughly, but there was a lot of repetition between articles.
Judging of this year’s contest was performed primarily by active community newspaper editors and publishers, as well as retired university journalism professors and retired or former newspaper professionals.
Toni Hopper, managing editor of The Marlow Review, was one of the NNA judges. “These health stories are the stories needed in more communities,” Hopper wrote. “Thank you for allowing me to judge. These reporters are definitely on their game.”
SW Ledger awards in ’23 NNA contest
Southwest Ledger won 13 awards last year in the National Newspaper Association Foundation’s Better Newspaper Contest. Those included:
• News and Opinion on Public Corruption: first place, Mike W. Ray.
• Best Profile Feature Story: first place, M. Scott Carter.
• Best Business Story: first place, Mike W. Ray.
• Best Business Feature Story: second place, M.
Scott Carter; honorable mention, Tim Farley.
• Best Reporting on Local Government: first place, Mike Ray; honorable mention, Eric Swanson.
• Best Review: honorable mention, Dr. James Finck.
• Best Front Page Design: first place, Carl Lewis and Samantha Spears.
• Best Use of a Double Truck (two facing pages): Carl Lewis and Rip Stell.
• Best Informational Graphic: Carl Lewis and Mike W. Ray; honorable mention, Bryan Richter and Mike W. Ray.
• Best Breaking News Photo: honorable mention, Steve Booker.