Newspapers, journalists honored in annual contest

   An editor for a weekly newspaper in the Black Hills and a daily newspaper reporter covering criminal justice issues were named Outstanding Young Journalists for 2020 by the South Dakota Newspaper Association.

   Hill City Prevailer News editor Gray Hughes and Rapid City Journal reporter Arielle Zionts received the recognition during SDNA’s Better Newspapers Contest awards announcement on Thursday, April 29. Journalists under the age of 30 who are working for either a weekly or daily newspaper in South Dakota are eligible for the Outstanding Young Journalist Award.

   Hughes began working at the Hill City Prevailer News less than two years ago. Publisher Charley Najacht said Hughes quickly became “the face of the Prevailer News” and represents the newspaper well. He said Hughes is respected in the community for his journalism.

   Rapid City Journal managing editor Patrick Butler said Zionts has written several hundred stories since joining the Journal in 2018 and “each of those demonstrated her passion, tenacity and desire for excellence.” He also pointed to her high ethical standards as a reporter and her professionalism in how she approaches her job every day.

   SDNA also announced the winners for the top prizes in its annual contest: General Excellence and Sweepstakes. General Excellence recognizes newspapers for overall quality work in news, editorial, advertising, design, digital and social media. The Sweepstakes category honors newspapers that garner the most points through awards won in categories within their respective circulation divisions.

   The SDNA General Excellence winners for 2020 include:

• Weeklies under 900 circulation: Hamlin County Republican, Castlewood

• Weeklies 901 to 1,300 circulation: Vermillion Plain Talk

• Weeklies over 1,300 circulation: Freeman Courier

• Dailies under 7,000 circulation: Yankton Press & Dakotan

• Dailies over 7,000 circulation: Rapid City Journal

   The SDNA Sweepstakes winners for 2020 include: 

• Weeklies under 900 circulation: Hamlin County Republican, Castlewood

• Weeklies 901 to 1,300 circulation: Moody County Enterprise, Flandreau

• Weeklies over 1,300 circulation: Freeman Courier

• Dailies under 7,000 circulation: Yankton Press & Dakotan

• Dailies over 7,000 circulation: Sioux Falls Argus Leader

   The entries for the 2020 SDNA Better Newspapers Contest were judged by members of the Maine Press Association. A complete list of contest results can be found at here.

   SDNA, based in Brookings, represents the state’s 118 weekly and daily newspapers.

“Off Limits: Law Enforcement Records in South Dakota”

If you missed it, click HERE to view the virtual panel discussion about South Dakota’s weak laws regarding public access to law enforcement records. The 45-minute Zoom webinar was held Wednesday, March 17 as part of Sunshine Week. It is sponsored by South Dakota Newspaper Association and South Dakota News Watch.​