The Flathead Beacon was named the best online newspaper in the state for the second year in a row at the Montana Newspaper Association’s (MNA) Better Newspaper Contest. The awards were handed out Saturday night at the association’s 140th annual convention, which was held at Hotel Finlen in Butte.
In total, the Beacon took home 13 awards and six first-place plaques, including for portrait photography, feature photography and news video. The Beacon also won best website. And its flagship print publication, Flathead Living magazine, was named the best niche publication in the state for the eighth time.
First Place Awards
Best Online Newspaper – Flathead Beacon
Best Website – flatheadbeacon.com
Best Niche Publication – Beacon Staff, Flathead Living magazine
Best Portrait Photo – Hunter D’Antuono, “Nordic Champion”
Best Feature Photo – Hunter D’Antuono, “Backside of Spring”
Best News Video – Denali Sagner, “Tim Sheehy Rally”
Second Place Awards
Best Sports Feature – Maggie Dresser, “Blackfeet Relay Racers Lament Loss of Cultural and Competitive Summer Centerpiece”
Best Sport and Outdoors Column Writing – Rob Breeding, “Wyoming Goes Off the Rails”
Best Headline Writing – Tristan Scott
Best General News Photo – Hunter D’Antuono, “Great Aurora”
Third Place Awards
Best Column Writing – Mike Jopek, “Small Town Grit”
Mark Henckel Outdoor Writing Award – Maggie Dresser, “Remembering the Tragedy on Peters Ridge”
Best Ad to Sell or Promote Merchandise Color – Pierce Ware, “Bonjour Bakery and Bistro”