The Oklahoma Publisher Vol. 92, No. 6 24 Pages • June 2021 www.OkPress.com www.Facebook.com/okpress OPA Convention draws large crowd

STANDING ROOM ONLY. OPA members packed the room for the annual OPA Blooper Show presented by Mark Thomas, executive vice president of the Oklahoma Press Association.

Welcome back! OPA Montgomery, publisher of manager. Terms begin on pared five-minute presen- members greeted each The Purcell Register, was July 1. tations for the News Flash other with handshakes and elected as president. Mark The first session Friday session. Presenting their hugs at the June 11-12 OPA Millsap, publisher of The featured three attorneys – ideas were David Stringer, Convention at the Sheraton Norman Transcript, was Doug Dodd, Anna Sanger publisher of The Lawton Downtown Oklahoma City elected as vice president and KatieBeth Gardner Constitution; J.D. Meisner, Hotel. and Jeff Mayo, publisher – discussing legal issues publisher of the Cushing It had been nearly two of the Sequoyah County affecting Oklahoma. Dodd Citizen; Carrie Carberry, years since many had seen Times, will serve another and Sanger are from the advertising manager at the each other due to the pan- year as treasurer. Members law firm of Doerner Saun- Sequoyah County Times; demic and cancellation of renewed a three-year direc- ders Daniel & Anderson Rod Serfoss, publisher of the 2020 annual conven- tor term for Shauna Belyeu, LLP. Gardner is an attorney the Clinton Daily News; tion. general manager of The for the Reporters Com- Allie Prater, editor of the New officers and direc- Eufaula Indian Journal, mittee for Freedom of the Drumright Gusher; and tors were elected at the and a new three-year direc- Press’s Local Legal Initia- Mark Millsap, publisher of OPA Business Meeting tor term for Misti Rinehart, tive in Oklahoma. The Norman Transcript. on Friday. John Denny Tulsa World advertising Five OPA members pre- (See Convention, Page 3)

INSIDE THIS ISSUE PAGE 8 CONVENTION COVERAGE BEGINS PAGES 10-11 PHILLIPS & MUSSELMAN AWARD WINNERS PAGES 12-13 HALF & QUARTER CENTURY CLUB INDUCTEES PAGES 14-18 BETTER NEWSPAPER CONTEST WINNERS PAGE 17 OTHER AWARD & CONTEST WINNERS Nelson named From the President publisher of By Mike Strain, Tulsa World The Ada News OPA President 2020-2021 Maurisa Nelson has been The room was so full that people filled every chair and some promoted were standing up in back. All were laughing. At times, I swear I from gen- heard people howling. eral man- The bloopers show was back, and Mark Thomas was as hysteri- ager to publisher of The cal as ever. (The difference between porthole and portal can be much funnier than I would Ada News. ever have imagined.) Nelson has served as I don’t remember a bloopers show so entertaining, and I don’t remember an annual general manager since convention that was quite so much fun. Maybe that’s because it was a great convention, 2019 and advertising or maybe it’s because we didn’t get to have one last year. Maybe it was a combination of director since 2011. both. The Ada News moved Whatever the reason, the gathering this month in downtown Oklahoma City was mem- to its new location at orable, and I’d like to share a few quick thoughts as my time as president concludes: 530 E. Main Street 1) I want to thank the staff at OPA and OPS. There are a lot of reasons I could thank while Nelson was gen- them, whether it’s their work making conventions go so well or their efforts every week of eral manager. Now that the year when there’s not a convention. things are opening up Here’s what I think is most impressive: They genuinely care about the success of Okla- after the pandemic, she’s homa’s newspapers. Conscientious folks make a big difference, and that’s the type of peo- looking forward to wider ple I found working in the OPA office in my time serving on the board. engagement with read- 2) A quick word of thanks to state Sen. Roger Thompson, and the three U.S. Repre- ers, advertisers and the sentatives — Frank Lucas, Kevin Hern and Stephanie Bice. They spent a few hours with community. us Saturday morning. They were great sessions, and I really appreciate them making our “My doors are always convention a priority in their busy schedules. open,” said Nelson. 3) During one of the sessions addressing legal issues, Mike Minnis was honored. If you “I want to know what don’t know him, just know this: He worked for more than 30 years fighting for newspa- our readers want and pers and journalists across the state. He was the point man for OPA’s Legal Services Plan. how they feel about the (Quick aside: If you’re not an LSP member, you should seriously consider it. One phone changes we have made call with an attorney before a story publishes can save you what you pay in dues. Even over the last year and a better, it can save you from lots of sleepless nights.) half.” 4) This probably doesn’t have to be said, but I’m going to say it anyway: The pandem- Dale Brendel, Oklaho- ic sucked. Still can’t believe what happened, and I will confess to feeling beaten down at ma group publisher for times in the last year (even the last few months). the newspaper’s parent But something happened at the convention that helped me personally. Pandemic be company CNHI, LLC, damned, I got to shake hands with almost every person who won an award. (I’ll admit to said Nelson and the washing that hand afterwards.) staff made significant Getting to briefly share in their celebration was a blessing I won’t forget; and seeing improvements during the what so many accomplished under such trying circumstances was inspiring. It’s been pandemic. awhile since I’ve felt that way. “Maurisa has nav- I wish I had the right words to convey my deep respect for everyone — award winners igated the newspaper or not — who has been serving their community with such dedication. The theme of the through the pandemic,” convention was “Newspapers Tell the Stories of Hometown Heroes.” What local newspa- Brendel said. “As pub- pers have done in the last year is heroic, too. Don’t ever forget it. lisher, she will take on an even stronger role going OPA CALENDAR OF EVENTS forward.” JULY WEBINARS Nelson is active in July 9, 1:00 PM, Newspaper Academy Webinar — 90 Minutes of Photo Editing Basics & More for Newspapers and Magazines local civic and business Kevin Slimp has been training newspapers since the early 90s in the best ways to get pictures to “pop” off the page. For more organizations. She serves information or to register, newspaperacademy.com/webinar/video-kevin-slimp-basics-of-indesign-for-new-or-newer-users/ on the Bertha Teague July 22, 1:00 PM, OMC Webinar — Effective Advertising for a Small Business Budget Mid America Classic Ben Bouslog will show you how to make the most out of the small budgets some of your clients may have. For more information or to board and her family register, onlinemediacampus.com/inspire_events/smallbusinessbudget/ attends Crosspointe For more information and links to register for webinars, visit OkPress.com/events Church in Ada. June 2021 | The Oklahoma Publisher The Oklahoma 2021 | June 2 McAlester News-Capital names Owens as publisher Reina “I’m excited to continue local knowledge in execut- The Oklahoma Owens has serving our community, ing the News-Capital’s mis- been promot- our readers, and advertis- sion with award-winning ed to publish- ers in my expanded posi- journalism and to help local Publisher er of the Mc- tion,” Owens said. “I want businesses prosper. ISSN 1526-811X Alester to thank my team for the Owens has been involved Official Publication of the News-Capital after serving success we’ve had in serv- in multiple local organi- OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION as general manager the past ing and representing our zations. She serves on the OPA OFFICERS three years. community. If it wasn’t for McAlester Country Club President Owens has worked at the them, I wouldn’t be where I board, and the Pink Ribbon MIKE STRAIN News-Capital since becom- am today.” Committee, and previously Tulsa World ing an advertising executive Dale Brendel, regional served on the McAlester in 2005. She was named Oklahoma publisher for Main Street board. Vice President advertising director in 2011 parent company CNHI, JOHN DENNY MONTGOMERY The Purcell Register and general manager in LLC, said Owens has prov- 2019. en her leadership skills and Treasurer JEFF MAYO Sequoyah County Times Convention (Continued from Page 1) Executive Vice President MARK THOMAS After dinner Friday, Presenters on the edito- the revenue track were members played trivia for a rial track included Katie- Thad Swiderski, eType Ser- OPA DIRECTORS chance of bragging rights. Beth Gardner, RCFP; Kim vices; Jeff Mayo, publisher RAY DYER, Past President Oklahoma Senator Roger Poindexter, editor of the of the Sequoyah County El Reno Tribune Thompson discussed the Tahlequah Daily Press; Times; and Jason Colling- state budget Saturday David Stringer, The Nor- ton, editor of the Tulsa MARK MILLSAP morning, followed by U.S. man Transcript; Cindy World. The Norman Transcript Reps. Frank Lucas, Kevin Allen, Enid News & Eagle; Ice cream was dished up ZONELLE RAINBOLT Hern and Stephanie Bice Rob Collins, Oklahoma prior to the ever popular Wesner Publications who discussed issues affect- Media Center; Reese Gor- Blooper Show, which was DON MECOY ing Oklahoma and local man and Mindy Wood, The standing room only. The Oklahoman communities. Norman Transcript; Beau The evening concluded SHAUNA BELYEU Members had the oppor- Simmons and Michelle with the annual Awards The Eufaula Indian Journal tunity to pick and choose Charles, Stillwater News Banquet. All award winners from eight sessions in the Press; and Ted Streuli, Paul are featured in this month’s SHEILA GAY afternoon, featuring an edi- Monies and Jennifer Palm- issue of The Oklahoma Woodward News torial track and a revenue er from Oklahoma Watch. Publisher. SUZIE CAMPBELL track. Presenting sessions on Countywide & Sun

OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION 3601 N. Lincoln Blvd., Oklahoma City, OK 73105-5499 You’ve Got Questions! (405) 499-0020 Toll-Free in Oklahoma: (888) 815-2672 • Can I photograph minors without consent? www.OkPress.com [email protected] • Can police deny access to records by issuing a press release? www.Facebook.com/OKPress • Should I alter my archives when a person demands it? SUBSCRIBE TO

• Can I report inaccurate testimony given in open court? THE OKLAHOMA PUBLISHER June 2021 | The Oklahoma Publisher $12 PER YEAR • What are the laws about liquor advertising? THE OKLAHOMA PUBLISHER (USPS 406- These are questions answered by the attorneys for the OPA Legal Services Plan 920) is published monthly for $12 per year by the Oklahoma Press Association, 3601 members in recent months. Newspapers always need timely legal advice on issues N. Lincoln Blvd., Oklahoma City, OK 73105- related to newspaper publishing. 5499. Periodicals postage paid at Oklahoma City, OK. You should join OPA’S LEGAL SERVICES PLAN! POSTMASTER: Send address changes to THE OKLAHOMA PUBLISHER, 3601 N. See www.OkPress.com/LSP or contact Mark Thomas Lincoln Blvd., Oklahoma City, OK 73105- at (405) 499-0033 or toll-free in Oklahoma 1-888-815-2672 today! 5499. 3 Kelci Hartley joins staff at Clinton Daily News Cushing Citizen Kelcie Hart- applied for a job at the ture, Hartley wanted to adds Maddox to ley is the new Clinton Daily News. move to Clinton because reporter at the “I saw the job posting, she loves to write and staff as reporter Clinton Daily and I decided to apply for wants to impact and touch News. the job because what is the people with her writing. DeAnna Hartley is worst that can happen? She is looking forward to Maddox originally from After hearing more about working for a news outlet recently Victorville, Calif. After Clinton, I fell in love with where she gets to represent joined the graduating from California the little town,” Hartley what an honest and truthful staff of the State Polytechnic Univer- said. reporter looks like working Cushing sity in Pomona, Calif., she Aside from a new adven- in a small town like Clinton. Citizen as a reporter. Maddox was born in Agra, Oklahoma, just 13 Northwest Oklahoman promotes Hutson to editor minutes away from Cush- ing. She graduated with Jeni Hutson 2019. In her new role, she one Hutson took the ini- a total of 17 people in her was recently will help run the office and tiative to learn more every class before moving on to named editor watch over the creation of day. college at the University of the North- the newspaper on a weekly “We would like to return of Central Oklahoma in west Oklaho- basis. to a 16-page paper every Edmond. man in Arnett. Dub Wagnon will serve week,” said Wagnon. “As She was only able to Hutson has as publisher and editor-in- the pandemic ends, our attend school for one year served as assis- chief. world is returning to nor- and since then has held tant editor since December Wagnon said from day mal.” a variety of jobs. It was at one of those jobs that she met J.D. and MaryLee Dudley named editor of Watonga Republican Meisner, owners and publishers of the Cushing Graham He crossed the river for in Texas. Most recently, he Citizen, and soon after Dudley has college at the University of lived for three years in Salt that was offered a job as been named Oklahoma, where he was Lake City where he was a a reporter, a position she editor of the a sportswriter for the OU copy editor for the Deseret has held since the last Watonga Daily. News. week of April. Republican, After college, Dudley “I have a lot to learn “Ever since I saw my Hinton Record interned for the Oklahoma about the community, but first story published on and Geary Star. news site NonDoc.com I’m ready to hit the ground our website and in print, Dudley was born and before accepting a position running,” Dudley said. I was thrilled,” said Mad- raised in Arlington, Texas. at the Brownwood Bulletin dox. ATTENTION OPA BUSINESS MEMBERS Make Sales Soar Like Magic ORDER YOUR 2021 Improve your close ratios to 70% or more with the New MiAD PHOTO ID PRESS CARD These press Wizard! cards are perfect for It's a fact that spec ads help close more sales— and yet spec ads are reporters, used less than 20% of the time. Now, with the real-world magic of MiAD®Wizard, personalizing and presenting spec ads for EVERY prospect is as easy as 1-2-3! photographers and any other No training. No time wasted. No more tough sells. staff members at your news- Go to miadwizard.com and see the magic for yourself! paper. Only $7 each! [email protected]

® 800.223.1600 www.metrocreativeconnection.com ORDER ONLINE AT miadwizard.com okpress.Com/press-cards June 2021 | The Oklahoma Publisher The Oklahoma 2021 | June 4 Appeals court sides with Custer County, former sheriff in lawsuit An appeals court recent- Jay Wagner filed the law- The appeals court rul- homa Press Association, ly upheld a ruling in a case suit through his attorney, ing upheld the decision said two bills were filed involving former Custer Kevin R. Kemper of Nor- made by Judge Jill Wee- this legislative session in County Sheriff Kenneth man, after Tidwell refused don during last summer in an attempt to remedy the Tidwell, a Wisconsin jour- to email holiday incident the Custer County District issue but they didn’t get a nalism professor and the reports. Court. hearing. Open Records Act. In the recent ruling, the In her opinion, Weedon Thomas said OPA would The court ruled that judge determined Tidwell said the Open Records Act work with government under the law citizens are was only required to make was in need of updating, bodies to work out poten- not entitled to receive any the records available for but it was up to the legisla- tial issues and “press for public records, including copying or inspecting and ture to do so. passage of legislation next police reports, via email. must do so in a prompt and Mark Thomas, executive year.” Milwaukee resident A. reasonable manner. vice president of the Okla- NonDoc sues University of Oklahoma for reports on Boren investigation The day after NonDoc for records under the Okla- denied NonDoc’s request “The University of filed a lawsuit asking a homa Open Records Act. for records. Oklahoma violated the judge to order the Uni- Long outlined OU’s rea- Representing NonDoc in Oklahoma Open Records versity of Oklahoma for soning for withholding the the suit is KatieBeth Gard- Act by failing to search for reports the university has documents, which detail ner, an Oklahoma-based and release the Jones Day refused to release for two findings about misreporting staff attorney for the reports regarding the uni- years, OU associate general of donor data and alleged Reporters Committee for versity’s misreporting of counsel Heidi Long sent an sexual misconduct by for- Freedom of the Press. alumni donor data and sex- additional letter reiterating mer President David Boren, Gardner said Non- ual misconduct allegations OU’s denial of the request who resigned his profes- Doc’s position “remains involving Boren,” Gardner sorship the same day OU unchanged.” said.

Oklahoma Watch sues Epic IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A PRINTER, Charter Schools, seeking emails TULSA WORLD IS HERE. Oklahoma Watch and 16 email that the cost would reporter Jennifer Palmer be $1,604 for copy charges have filed a lawsuit against and $3,208 for legal review. Epic Charter Schools for Representing Oklahoma release of emails under the Watch, KatieBeth Gardner, Open Records Act. a Tulsa-based attorney with Palmer requested emails the Reporters Committee to and from Epic co-found- for Freedom of the Press, er Ben Harris from Jan. informed Epic that photo- 1, 2019, through July 25, copying was unnecessary 2020. A spokesperson and that the Open Records for Epic responded to the Act made no provision for request on Aug. 20, saying the public to pay for legal the school would produce work. the records at an estimated “All we’re asking for is to We have state-of-the-art presses June 2021 | The Oklahoma Publisher cost to Oklahoma Watch see documents the public of $40,691.26 for copying, owns,” said Ted Streuli, and the capacity to print your papers! reviewing and redacting the executive editor of the non- Please contact Ed Ciambrone, Production Director, records. profit Oklahoma Watch. Tulsa World Media Company Palmer narrowed her “Those emails belong to request on Aug. 25 asking the public and we intend to [email protected] Office: 918.699.8803 Cell: 785.218.6953 for emails from June 20, make sure the public knows 2019, to Aug. 30, 2019. what’s in them.” Hickman replied in a Sept.

5 Judged ruled parts of body cam video in Pridgeon case be made public In Memoriam A Muskogee County the recordings from being judge recently ruled that disclosed to the public. June 2020 to May 2021 portions of body cam video KatieBeth Gardner, who Commemorated at the Oklahoma Press Association worn by Muskogee police at represented the Phoenix as Annual Convention in Oklahoma City, OK a homicide scene must be part of the Reporters Com- June 11, 2021 made public in accordance mittee for Freedom of the In accordance with membership wishes, this list includes with the Oklahoma Open Press’ Local Legal Initiative only those who were either longtime newspaper employees Records Act. in Oklahoma, secured the still engaged in the trade at the time of death, or those who had, The body cam video release of the 911 calls and though retired, made newspaper work their principal occupation. was captured on Feb. 2, partial release of the body when six people were killed cam video. Clay W. Allen Sally Maxwell inside a southeast Musk- “There is really no basis Wagoner County American-Tribune Sequoyah County Times ogee residence. Prosecutors for the wholesale block- Thomas Earl Bailey Rebecca Ann ‘Becky’ Mayo allege Jarron Deajon Prid- ing of this body camera McAlester News-Capital Sequoyah County Times geon, 25, shot and killed his footage under the Open Rita Massey Baker Jerry McConnell brother and five children Records Act because it is a Bristow News The Oklahoman ranging in age from 2 to 9 public record,” said Gard- Sherry L. Barby William David McCullough years. ner. “There are no specific Harper County Journal OPA and LSP Attorney District Judge Bret mechanisms that would Douglas Allan Davis Kenneth Darrell Morrow Smith ordered the release block the release of a public The Ada News The Oklahoman of body cam video he record because it might be Kenneth Wayne Dickerson Mae Musgrove believed furthered the used as evidence in a crimi- Piedmont-Surrey Gazette Shidler Review ORA’s objectives. nal case.” Elizabeth Peggy Bowen Richard ‘Dick’ Newman Just days after the Smith instructed City DeShields Newspaper Printing Corp., Tulsa Feb. 2 homicides, District Attorney Matthew Beese to The Oklahoman & Times Karla Paxton Attorney Orvil Loge filed a present to the court within Hall Franklin Duncan Mangum Star-News motion asking the court to 10 days a compilation video University of Central Oklahoma John Bennett Pickens block public access to the that satisfies the criterion Marty Katherine ‘Kay’ Dyer The Oklahoman recordings of the 911 calls identified by the court, The Oklahoman & Times Anthony ‘Tony’ Lee Pippen and body cam videos. which will review the video Ada Evening News The Muskogee Phoenix and approve its release. Yvonne Marie (Lacy) Evans The Perkins Journal B. Wayne Ratliff challenged efforts to keep Wilbert Ecily Hale Johnston County Capital-Democrat Postal Service plans to increase rates Enid News & Eagle Mary McKinney Rice Neville Lavon (Reeder) Hancock The Duncan Banner The United States Post- ciation, are opposing the Hobart Democrat-Chief C. Dennis Schick al Service announced a increase in postage rates. Arkansas Press Association planned adjustment of Brett Wesner, chair Bob Henline The Cordell Beacon postage rates as of Aug. 29, of National Newspaper Ray Soldan The Oklahoman 2021, for the public and Association and president Cecilie Walker Henning The Cleveland American commercial mail users. of Wesner Publications, Lannie Joe Severs Sapulpa Herald For community newspa- Cordell, Okla., said the Robert Lyle Holding pers using Periodicals mail rate announcement was The Daily Oklahoman Robert Lee Walker The Afton American to reach readers, the aver- grim news for community Janis Wimberly Hruby age rate increase will be newspapers that have been The Duncan Banner Lynda Carol Watkins nearly 9%. The First-Class fielding months of com- Brandon Ray Johnson The Cordell Beacon Stamp will move from 55 plaints that subscribers are The Duncan Banner Evelyn Sue Whatley cents to 58 cents. not receiving their copies James H. ‘Jim’ Keisman The Oklahoman The rate increase is part on time. The Seminole Producer William White of a new USPS business Wesner said that NNA John Link Enid News & Eagle plan that also includes a has continued to support Vinita Daily Journal Fritz Wade Wirt weakening of service stan- postal reform legislation Melba Lovelace Oklahoma State University dards for mail that is mov- and has endorsed the The Oklahoman William ‘Bill’ Lewis Wright ing across the country. proposed Postal Service Jessie Riogelon Mangaliman Skiatook News A coalition of newspa- Reform Act of 2021, intro- Muskogee Phoenix Anne Marie Zimmerman pers, printers, retailers duced by Reps. Carolyn Larry Joe Marcy The Ada News and others, including the Maloney, D-New York, and Durant Democrat

June 2021 | The Oklahoma Publisher The Oklahoma 2021 | June National Newspaper Asso- James Comer, R-Kentucky. 6 DEATHS PLEASE JAMES F. FIENUP, long- and Communications. As before returning to Le- time publisher of the Spiro a student intern at the Flore County and investing Graphic, died June 4, 2021. University of Oklahoma, in Poteau Today, a weekly DONATE He was 81. he covered the JFK assassi- newspaper where he served Fienup worked in the nation in Dallas, Texas, in as editor and publisher. newspaper industry for 54 November 1963. In November 1994, years, starting in 1967. He worked for many Fienup purchased the Spiro Known to everyone newspapers and publish- Graphic and made Spiro his as Jim and many times ing companies including home for the past 27 years. referred to as “Scoop,” the Russell Daily News in He is survived by his Fienup was always on the Kansas, and the Mansfield brother Alois J. Fienup, Jr., beat to get the story first. News-Journal in Ohio. In of Marshall Town, Iowa; He earned two degrees Oklahoma, Fienup worked two nephews, Timothy and from the University of for the Poteau News & Sun Mark A., and one niece, Oklahoma in Journalism and the Chickasha Star Cynthia Hunt. to the Oklahoma Newspaper Foundation.

VANCE TRIMBLE, an Amer- During the Depression, Record for Washington A donation to the ican journalist, winner Trimble worked for sever- coverage, and the Raymond Oklahoma Newspaper of a Pulitzer Prize and al Oklahoma newspapers Clapper Award – referred Foundation will member of the Oklahoma including the Seminole to as the “triple crown”. support its efforts to Journalism Hall of Fame, Morning News, Seminole Trimble stayed in DC until improve the state’s Producer, Okmulgee Times, 1963 when he was appoint- died June 16, 2021, in his newspaper industry and and Muskogee Phoenix. He ed editor of the Kentucky hometown of Wewoka. He quality of journalism. was 107. also worked as financial Post in Covington, Ken- He received a Pulitzer in editor of the Tulsa Tribune, tucky. 1960 for his reporting on and as editor of the Maud Trimble’s wife, Elzene, ONF’s programs nepotism and corruption in Enterprise. died on July 5, 1999. The include training Congress as a reporter for In 1939, he joined two were married for 67 and education the Scripps Howard News Scripps Howard as a copy years. Trimble constructed for professional Service in Washington, D.C. editor for the Houston a monument to his wife, journalists, scholarship Trimble was born in Press. Within six months, dubbed the Oakwood and internship Harrison, Ark., on July 6, Trimble was promoted to Singing Tower, where she programs for city editor. He served in the was buried in Wewoka. He 1913. His family moved to journalism students, Army during World War moved back to Wewoka to Okemah in 1920, then to and Newspaper in Wewoka in 1929. II for two years, and when be closer to his wife, even Education efforts. In high school, he was he returned was appointed in death. editor of the school news- managing editor for the Trimble also published paper and a full-time Houston Press. In 1955, several books since leaving ONF relies on reporter for the Wewoka he was transferred to the the newspaper business. donations and Times-Democrat. At age 18, Scripps Howard Washing- He was preceded in memorial contributions he married Elzene Trimble ton bureau as news editor. death by his wife Elzene in to fund these programs. on Jan. 9, 1932. The two In 1960, Trimble was 1999, and their daughter If you would like met in high school when awarded the Pulitzer Prize Carol Ann Nordheimer in to make a donation, for National Reporting, the 2021. they both worked on the please send a check to: school newspaper. Sigma Delta Chi Distin- June 2021 | The Oklahoma Publisher guished Correspondence OKLAHOMA Remembering our friends & colleagues who died the previous year NEWSPAPER John L. Clabes Fred B. Hilton Jr. Jake Norman McDonald March 27, 2020 March 3, 2020 April 1, 2020 FOUNDATION Sharon Ann Dean Marguerite Babb Nancy Janice ‘Jan’ O’Leary 3601 N. Lincoln Blvd. March 16, 2020 April 28, 2020 April 23, 2020 Oklahoma City, OK Ron Henderson Dennie Hall Frederick David Seaton 73105 March 6, 2020 April 17, 2020 April 18, 2020 7 OPA members reflect on experiences at

It was good to see colleagues It was great to gather At the convention I always These conventions have There were several highlights I haven’t seen in quite a while, in-person again at the OPA feel I am among friends. And always been valuable, and I for me. It was a great con- as well as meeting new ones ‹ Convention. All newspapers never more so than this year, think my first one was in 1984. vention. The OPA staff is top of whom I became Facebook have had a tough year, and I with heroic friends who have But after a year of ‘forced notch. As is always the case, friends by the end of the was very impressed with the worked harder than ever separation,’ at a time when it the Bloopers were hilarious. night. The Awards Banquet way so many of our communi- during the pandemic to keep would have been really ben- But for me the highlight was had great food, and I was ty newspapers stepped up to their communities informed eficial to get together with our getting to introduce my former honored to get third place in help their communities during and engaged. It was a great friends and the only people business partner and longtime column writing. I also wish to the height of the pandemic. couple days. Thanks to OPA who really understand what friend, Mark Codner, as the congratulate all the winners on In all the presentations I at- leadership and staff for making we go through, it was espe- Beachy Musselman Award the night. tended, I heard the continued our time together in 2021 cially rewarding. The sessions Winner. I got so choked up lis- David Seeley, Editor passion from our newspapers better than ever. are always good. But it’s even tening to his video that I forgot Poteau Daily News to support their communities. Ed Kelley, Dean better seeing old friends. to introduce my own son, John Community newspapers Gaylord College, OU David Stringer, Publisher Denny, for his presentation of remain strong in Oklahoma! The Lawton Constitution the President’s Award. I enjoyed visiting with other Cindy Allen, Publisher John D. Montgomery, Publisher newspaper people and Enid News & Eagle The Purcell Register watching our new, incom- ing editor learn more about the newspaper industry in the wonderful variety of sessions we attended. The OPA staff and our board worked hard to put the con- vention on and it was well worth the time and money we invested to come. Thank you for 30 years of GREAT service to me as I’ve served in my communi- ty. The annual convention helps to motivate and keep us on track. ­ Melissa Grace, Editor Ringling Eagle The best thing was being able It was a fantastic opportunity I believe that we leave con- My favorite moment was Sometimes it seems like to reconnect with industry for my students to rub elbows vention with a renewed sense awards night. Seeing the operating a small town colleagues I hadn’t seen since with and to learn from amazing of strength and belief in the fantastic work produced under newspaper is an isolating at least 2018, since I hadn’t journalists. Their excitement value of the service that we such difficult circumstances job, however getting to been able to attend in 2019, about the profession grew provide all while gaining valu- was truly inspiring. Oklahoma network with such a great either. The worst thing was 100-fold. They and I loved it! able resources and connec- is blessed to have so many tions. To echo OPA President people who care so much group of people who want missing several of them. I’m Markus Zindelo, Adviser Mike Strain, ‘Convention is like about their communities. you to succeed renews the just so proud of ALL of us for OCCC Pioneer importance and community working our tails off to keep a family reunion.’ Mike Strain needed to thrive in our print journalism alive. Shauna Belyeu, Gen. Mgr. OPA President small town publications. ­ Kim Poindexter, Editor The Eufaula Indian Journal Scott Renfro, Incoming Tahlequah Daily Press Editor, Ringling Eagle June 2021 | The Oklahoma Publisher The Oklahoma 2021 | June 8 June 11-12 Convention in Oklahoma City

I had never been to an OPA I think my favorite specific I left feeling excited and I found the break-out sessions The awards banquet is convention before, but now, I experience was watching our inspired for the future of my useful and, of course, the always the highlight of the can’t wait for next year’s. I’m editor, Allie Prater, walk up journalism career. I can’t wait bloopers were great. The best convention. Always a great a college student, and being on stage not once, but twice, for the day I will walk away part for me, though, was just atmosphere with a room full around the journalists who to accept first place awards. from the convention with an seeing and talking to people of peers, mentors and rivals. have inspired me in this field She continues to impress us award of my own. who had been through the Meeting new people and was incredible. My newspaper with her work. With that said, Mackenzee E. Crosby, Intern same things as me the past seeing old faces is always a won some awards, and being it was fantastic to see friends The Ada News year. I got to meet more new good time. Personally, seeing able to cheer on my friends and colleagues that I hadn¹t people this year than any an old friend, with a long and teammates as they won seen for at least two years and other conference I had been newspaper career, attend theirs was a feeling unlike any to make new connections and to previously and the general her first banquet was the other. friendships. Our thanks have feeling of the conference was highlight of this year’s event. Jordan Green, Editor-in-Chief, to go out to the staff at OPA much more of camaraderie Her excitement to get dressed Northwestern News for the hard work they put in to than that of competition. up and accept one award this incredible event. Todd Brooks, Publisher seemed to far surpass that J. D. Meisner, Publisher The Comanche Times of some regular Sequoyah Cushing Citizen winners. Ryan Horton, Editor Choctaw Times

My best experience was It was great to see everyone Genuinely, just being able I always enjoy attending OPA’s This was my first convention getting to network with great from my 25 year absence to see so many friends after convention every June. This as a full-time reporter. Being individuals in the newspaper in Oklahoma newspapers. I a long absence was really year, I took a lot away from able to meet new people and June 2021 | The Oklahoma Publisher industry. As an award winner, I really enjoyed the sessions the most special part of the the editorial session on open celebrate with old friends was also loved the presentation of and felt they were spot on for convention. records, hosted by KatieBeth a memorable experience. the awards banquet. the support we need out in our Beau Simmons, Editor Gardner. It’s an important topic Ashlynd Huffman, Nicholas Dill, Student Reporter markets. Stillwater News Press for every journalist to grow Crime Reporter Northwestern News Brenda Adams, Ad. Director, familiar with. Stillwater News Press Muskogee Phoenix Art Haddaway, Editor Owasso Reporter

9 Jeff Funk receives Milt Phillips Award lisher role, Funk has been active in community activ- ities, serving as a board member or officer of the Greater Enid Chamber of Commerce, Cherokee Strip Community Foundation, Enid United Way, David Allen Memorial Ballpark, Enid Rotary Club, Willow View United Methodist Church and Enid Public School Foundation. In his video acceptance speech, Funk said people care about their local news- paper. “Community journal- ism has two components — community service and quality journalism. “Both are critical. I’ve tried to live out both in my career,” Funk said. Jeff Funk (right), retired publisher of the Enid News & Eagle, receives the Milt Phillips Award at the “People tell you how the OPA Convention. The award was presented by OPA President Mike Strain. The Milt Phillips Award is newspaper has impacted the highest distinction given by the Oklahoma Press Association. their life and that’s what’s great about community journalism. eff Funk, former the Hutchinson News and west Oklahoma Medical “I thank you for this publisher of the Parsons Sun in Kansas, Directory and other special- incredible honor. And Enid News & Eagle, and in Nebraska at the ty magazines. for those people who are J actively writing and editing received the Oklahoma Grand Island Independent, The newspaper also Press Association’s Milt North Platte Telegraph and raised more than $10,000 and photographing and Phillips Award at the OPA Beatrice Daily Sun. each year for local charities selling and printing and Convention in Oklahoma During his tenure as and promoted the annual posting and tweeting, bless City. publisher at the Enid News Pillar of the Plains recog- you. Keep it up. Your com- Funk joined the News & & Eagle, the newspaper nition of local and regional munity, your state, your Eagle in 2001 as executive added several publica- volunteer leaders. nation need what you are editor. He was then pro- tions and events including As a senior publisher doing now more than ever moted to general manager Etown, Enid’s lifestyle mag- for Community Newspaper before.” and publisher. azine; Candy Cane Cash, Holdings, Funk had admin- Funk served as president Prior to coming to Enid, a popular shop-in-Enid istrative responsibility for of the Oklahoma Press he served in news man- promotion; breaking news up to 11 other Oklahoma Association in 2014. agement positions at five text alerts; Ekids; Enid publications. other daily newspapers: Newcomers Guide; North- In addition to his pub-

About the selects the recipient based strong love and dedication to the Milt Phillips, longtime publisher on publishing a high-quality family. The award was estab- of the Seminole Producer. Milt Phillips Award newspaper; contribution to the lished in 1978 by the OPA Board Phillips was active in the The H. Milt Phillips Award is profession and the newspaper of Directors to recognize those Oklahoma Press Association, the highest honor given by the industry; years of service to the they felt gave the same quality holding several offices including Oklahoma Press Association. community, state and nation in a of service to family, community, president in 1954. The OPA Board of Directors variety of volunteer activities and country and newspapers as had June 2021 | The Oklahoma Publisher The Oklahoma 2021 | June 10 Mark Codner receives Musselman Award

Codner is the recipient of numerous awards and has been a member of multiple community organizations including the Marshall County Economic Devel- opment Committee, Madill Lions Club and a board member of the non-profit Four Square Hospice. His passion for the newspaper industry is shown through his commit- ment to the many journal- ists he’s trained, and the communities he has been involved in. In his acceptance video, Codner gave thanks to his wife. “I married her when she was 19,” he said. “She became a newspaper pub- lisher when she was 23.” Mark Codner (right), publisher of The Newcastle Pacer, receives the Beachy Musselman Award from He also thanked his his longtime friend John D. Montgomery at the OPA Convention. Montgomery is a trustee on the daughters, Sarah and Jor- Oklahoma Newspaper Foundation board and publisher of The Purcell Rgister. dan, for putting up with the long hours he and Sherry worked. ark Codner is the spans more than 30 years. Oklahoma with a degree in “I’ve had a long journal- 2021 recipient He and his wife, Sherry, newspaper journalism. ism career, and it continues of the Oklahoma were publishers/owners In 2016, Codner was thanks to my long-time M family friends the Mont- Newspaper Foundation’s of The Madill Record and named news editor of Beachy Musselman Award. The Texoman from 1994 The Edmond Sun where gomerys,” said Codner. The award was present- to 2015. Before that, he he served until the news- “Last but not least, ed June 12 at the OPA Con- worked in various edi- paper closed in 2020. thanks to the Oklahoma vention in Oklahoma City. tor positions at the Tulsa At the Edmond Sun, he Press Association for aiding An award-winning World, Yukon Review/ implemented several new in my career all the way. journalist, known for pro- Mustang News, Collinsville projects such as highlight- They’ve always been there fessionalism, ethics and News, Skiatook Journal, ing the Teachers of the for me, for every journalist community building, Cod- Coweta American and Pur- Year, and a series of arti- in the state. It’s an out- ner was recently named cell Register. cles reporting the efforts standing organization.” publisher of The Newcastle He is a 1988 graduate of behind raising awareness He also thanked the Pacer. the University of Central and money for Alzheimer’s family of Beachy Mussel- His journalism career research. man for making the award possible. June 2021 | The Oklahoma Publisher

About the Beachy or her contribution to the field of Beachy Musselman, former tion. Extra consideration is given printed journalism or its related editor and general manager of on the basis of service to the Musselman Award field. The award, established in the Shawnee News-Star. Mus- community, initiative in reporting, Presented annually by the Okla- 1969 to recognize and encour- selman also served as president photographing or interpreting the homa Newspaper Foundation, age quality journalism in prac- of the Oklahoma Press Associ- news. the Beachy Musselman Award tice, education and research, ation in 1961. Any professional recognizes a journalist for his is named after the late Norman journalist is eligible for nomina-

11 Oklahoma Press Association inducts new members into Half, Quarter Century Clubs John M. Wylie II new member of Half Century Club

John M. Wylie II was sulting on media and adver- inducted into the Oklahoma tising issues. Press Association’s Half Wylie started his career Century Club on June 12 as a correspondent in 1972 during the OPA Conven- for the Des Moines Register tion. and United Press Interna- Wylie has picked up tional. hundreds of awards in his He joined the Kansas 51-year career, including a City Star in 1974 as an share of a Pulitzer Prize. intern and was named its His investigative work first full-time energy and and commentary have environment writer in 1975. helped ban a pesticide, Wylie’s first Pulitzer Prize block development of a nomination in 1976 covered phony Biblical theme park, a series on pesticide misuse derail a gubernatorial cam- that led to a federal ban paign and expose a national on one chemical and new political payoff scandal. restrictions on aerial pesti- In 1984, he and his cide applications in Kansas wife, Faith, purchased the and Oklahoma. He was part Oologah Lake Leader, a of the Star team whose cov- weekly newspaper in Okla- erage of the Hyatt Regency homa. Under their lead- skywalk disaster won a John M. Wylie II (right) accepts Half Century Club plaque from OPA President ership, it was named the Pulitzer Prize in 1982. Mike Strain. The award was presented June 12 at the OPA Convention in Okla- state’s best newspaper in He was a charter mem- homa City. its circulation division 17 ber of the Society of Envi- times. ronmental Journalists, was Association, Investigative ment and rights of all After selling the Lake president of three local Reporters and Editors and Americans,” Wylie said in Leader, Wylie founded chapters and deputy region- FOI Oklahoma. his acceptance video at the and became president of al director of the Society “Journalists must fight OPA Convention. “Jour- Wylie Communications, of Professional Journal- for truth and transparency nalists protect the nation’s Inc., which provides crisis ists, and is a member the in government. I spent 50 future. Let’s all do what the communications, public Oklahoma Press Associa- years working nationwide founders asked us to do.” relations and political con- tion, National Newspaper to protect the 1st Amend-

OPA QUARTER AND HALF CENTURY CLUBS

Being a member of any profession for 25 or 50 years is not only a personal achievement, it is an important milestone that should be recognized. That’s why the Oklahoma Press Association recognizes the contributions of those who have served in the newspaper industry by inducting them into the Half Century and Quarter Century Clubs. Anyone may make nominations for the Quarter or Half Century Clubs. Self-nominations also are acceptable. New members are inducted during OPA’s Annual Convention. To submit nominations in either Club, visit okpress.com/page/century-clubs. Nominations must include a biography detailing years of service to the newspaper industry and a color photograph of the nominee. June 2021 | The Oklahoma Publisher The Oklahoma 2021 | June 12 Quarter Century Club inducts six new members during annual OPA Convention in Oklahoma City

Six new members were inducted into the OPA Quarter Century Club at the OPA Convention. Following is a brief bio on each of the 2021 inductees.

RONNIE CLAY Ronnie Clay began his career with The Journal Record in February 1995 as a legislative service proofreader before accepting a public notices posi- tion with the newspaper in June of the same year. He soon made his way to the news- room, where he has worked for more than 20 years as a copy editor/web editor. His responsibilities include copy editing stories for The Journal Record and its special publications, updating the website and coordinating print layout with page designers. New inductees into the Oklahoma Press Association Quarter Century Club. Back: Patrick Ford, Okmulgee Times; Scott Rains, The Lawton Constitution; and Rob Collins, Oklahoma Media Center. Seated: Jessica ROB COLLLINS Danker Mitchell, The Journal Record, and Ronnie Clay, The Journal Record. (Not pictured Kristi Dawn Hayes.) Rob Collins began his newspaper career at The Norman Transcript served as a news editor of the Okmul- editing copy and designing pages for before serving as managing editor at gee Times. the daily newspaper. The Edmond Sun and as editor-in- From 2002 to 2020 she served as chief of the weekly Oklahoma Gazette. KRISTI DAWN HAYES special publications editor, overseeing In 2012, he returned to his home- Kristi Dawn Hayes worked free- production of more than 20 special town of Enid to serve as executive lance for the Panhandle Times while publications a year. She also oversees editor of the Enid News & Eagle and attending Oklahoma Panhandle State research for The Journal Record’s was appointed editor of The Norman University in Goodwell. Book of Lists publication, which is a Transcript in 2020. He also served as She moved to Ponca City in 1996 compilation of businesses in various a regional editor for CNHI. In Jan- and was hired as the education editor industries. uary 2021, Collins joined the Local at The Ponca City News. In 2008, she Media Association (LMA) as the was promoted to managing editor and SCOTT RAINS project lead for the Oklahoma Media held that position until 2020. Scott Rains joined the staff of The Center, a journalism collaborative of She is a graduate of Leadership Lawton Constitution as a staff writ- 20 state newsrooms. Ponca City and recently completed a er and photographer in April 2005, workshop offered through the Poynter where he remains today. Institute. Prior to that, he was publisher and

PATRICK FORD editor of The Cyril News. Rains also June 2021 | The Oklahoma Publisher Patrick Ford, an Okmulgee native, worked as a pressman at the Edmond began working for the Okmulgee JESSICA DANKER MITCHELL Jessica Danker Mitchell has spent Evening Sun for three years. Daily Times after graduating from At The Lawton Constitution, Rains Okmulgee High School in 1986. her entire career with The Journal Record. covers all of the southwest portion During his career with the newspa- of Oklahoma but his primary duties per, he has served as composing room She was hired as a staff reporter in 1994. In addition to reporting on the are in the “cop shop” and courts. In supervisor, graphic designer, head recent months, he and another Con- photographer, sports editor, news energy and banking industries, Mitch- ell served five years as wire editor, stitution staff member have joined reporter and assistant editor. forces to produce the Redder Dirt: An For the past three years, Ford has OK Crime Cast true crime podcast. 13 2020 SEQUOYAH AWARD WINNERS

Standing: David Stringer, publisher of The Lawton Constitution (Division 1); Rusty Ferguson, publisher of The Cleveland American (Division 5); Art Haddaway, editor of the Owasso Reporter (Division 6); David Bublitz, adviser of The Cameron University Collegian (College Division); and Gary Jackson, publisher of the Tahlequah Daily Press (Division 3). Seated: Beau Simmons, editor of the Stillwater News Press (Division 2); Erin Thompson, publisher of the El Reno Tribune (Semi- and Tri-Weeklies); Amie Remer, editor of the Eastern Times-Register (Division 7); and John Denny Montgomery, co-publisher of The Purcell Register (Division 4). DIVISION 1 – DAILIES, Circ. more than 6,200 SEQUOYAH THIRD PLACE: Enid News & Eagle, “Candy IN-DEPTH REPORTING SECOND PLACE: Billy Hefton, Enid News Cane Cash” (Combined with Division 2) & Eagle, “Woman rescued by Enid Fire AWARD WINNER FIRST PLACE: Ashlynd Huffman, Stillwater Department after tree crashes through COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP News Press, “Lack of prosecution for sexual trailer” The Lawton Constitution FIRST PLACE: The Lawton Constitution, assaults and rapes in Payne County” THIRD PLACE: Michael Pope, The Lawton “Community Coloring Challenge” SECOND PLACE: Kim McConnell, The Lawton Constitution, “Fire destroys Cache houses” NEWS CONTENT SECOND PLACE: Enid News & Eagle, Constitution, “Capital Improvements FIRST PLACE: The Norman Transcript “Homelessness series” Program” FEATURE PHOTOGRAPH SECOND PLACE: The Lawton Constitution THIRD PLACE: The Norman Transcript, THIRD PLACE: Alexander Ewald, Enid News FIRST PLACE: Michael Pope, The Lawton THIRD PLACE: Enid News & Eagle “Changes to city mask mandate after student & Eagle, “Enid mask mandate and related Constitution, “Little girl kisses her mini house party coverage” recall petition” Hereford heifer” LAYOUT & DESIGN SECOND PLACE: Michael Pope, The Lawton FIRST PLACE: The Lawton Constitution NEWS STORY COLUMN WRITING Constitution, “Full moon behind church SECOND PLACE: The Norman Transcript FIRST PLACE: Scott Rains, The Lawton FIRST PLACE: Jeff Mullin, Enid News & Eagle before Easter” THIRD PLACE: Enid News & Eagle Constitution, “Sisters tell story” SECOND PLACE: Dave Ruthenberg, THIRD PLACE: Billy Hefton, Enid News & SECOND PLACE: Gary Reddin, The Lawton Enid News & Eagle Eagle, “Icicles hang from a Halloween ADVERTISING Constitution, “No means no” THIRD PLACE: Gary Reddin, The Lawton skeleton” FIRST PLACE: The Lawton Constitution THIRD PLACE: Alexander Ewald, Enid News & Constitution SECOND PLACE: Enid News & Eagle Eagle, “Mask mandate passes” SPORTS PHOTOGRAPH THIRD PLACE: The Norman Transcript SMALL SPACE AD FIRST PLACE: Billy Hefton, Enid News & Eagle, FEATURE STORY FIRST PLACE: Luke Garis, Enid News & Eagle, “Garber players celebrate state win” EDITORIAL WRITING FIRST PLACE: Scott Rains, The Lawton “Land Run Steakhouse” SECOND PLACE: Kyle Phillips, The Norman FIRST PLACE: The Lawton Constitution Constitution, “Firefighter takes upperhand in SECOND PLACE: Belinda Darnell and Kayla Transcript, “KU quarterback tries to leap over SECOND PLACE: Enid News & Eagle fight for his life due to COVID-19” Durham, The Lawton Constitution, “Brady’s OU defense” THIRD PLACE: The Norman Transcript SECOND PLACE: Alexander Ewald, Enid News Design Center” THIRD PLACE: Michael Pope, The Lawton & Eagle, “Homelessness series: ‘Ruined for THIRD PLACE: Kathy Young, Enid News & Constitution, “Sunset at MacArthur v. Noble PHOTOGRAPHY the rest of us’” Eagle, “Rowdy Stickhorse” game” FIRST PLACE: The Lawton Constitution THIRD PLACE: Scott Rains, The Lawton SECOND PLACE: The Norman Transcript Constitution, “Brazzel celebrated at the end LARGE SPACE AD FRONT PAGE DESIGN THIRD PLACE: Enid News & Eagle of his 45-year shift” FIRST PLACE: Belinda Darnell and Kayla FIRST PLACE: Sonya Bilovecky, Dee Ann Durham, The Lawton Constitution, “Discount Patterson and Cindy Wright, The Lawton SPORTS COVERAGE SPORTS STORY Foods Thanksgiving” Constitution FIRST PLACE: Enid News & Eagle FIRST PLACE: Glen Brockenbush, The Lawton SECOND PLACE: Kathy Young, Enid News & SECOND PLACE: Joe Malan, Enid News & SECOND PLACE: The Norman Transcript Constitution, “Does Redskins decision signal Eagle, “81 Ranch” Eagle THIRD PLACE: The Lawton Constitution change in OK?” THIRD PLACE: Cindy Wright, Debbie Sinderson THIRD PLACE: David Christy, Enid News & SECOND PLACE: Bruce Campbell, Enid News and Toni Wilson, The Lawton Constitution, Eagle SALES PROMOTION & Eagle, “Hot start ... sudden stop; NOC’s “Classic Lawton Chevrolet Cares” FIRST PLACE: The Norman Transcript, Ambren Voitik” “The Pet Issue” THIRD PLACE: Glen Brockenbush, The Lawton NEWS PHOTOGRAPH SECOND PLACE: The Lawton Constitution, Constitution, “Not everyone gets Kobe FIRST PLACE: Kyle Phillips, The Norman “Shop Local. Shop Strong.” treatment” Transcript, “Protest for justice” June 2021 | The Oklahoma Publisher The Oklahoma 2021 | June 14 DIVISION 2 – DAILIES, Circ. 3,000 to 4,700 SEQUOYAH SALES PROMOTION SPORTS STORY Second Place: Jason Elmquist, Stillwater News First Place: The Shawnee News-Star, “2020 First Place: Mike Tupa, Bartlesville Examiner- Press, “Police officer talks with young man” AWARD WINNER Wish You Were Here - Discover Shawnee” Enterprise, “A remarkable man: Al Bunge” Third Place: Cathy Spaulding, Muskogee Second Place: Stillwater News Press, “Readers Second Place: Jimmy Gillispie, Stillwater News Phoenix, “Racially insensitive post leads to Stillwater News Press Choice Best of Stillwater” Press, “NCAA drops hammer on Cowboy apology” basketball” NEWS CONTENT COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP Third Place: Brian Johnson, The Shawnee FEATURE PHOTOGRAPH First Place: Muskogee Phoenix First Place: Stillwater News Press, “Help for News-Star, “Shawnee coach Arthur glad First Place: Cathy Spaulding, Muskogee Second Place: Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise Stillwater Medical Center” about long-awaited announcement of Phoenix, “Celebrating veteran on 100th Third Place: Stillwater News Press Second Place: The Shawnee News-Star, “Best Sutton’s induction” birthday” of Preps 2020 awards” Second Place: Michelle Charles, Stillwater News LAYOUT & DESIGN IN-DEPTH REPORTING Press, “High school color guard practices First Place: Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise NEWS STORY First Place: Ashlynd Huffman, Stillwater News spins” Second Place: Muskogee Phoenix First Place: Michelle Charles, Stillwater News Press, “Lack of prosecution for sexual Third Place: Ronn Rowland, Muskogee Phoenix, Third Place: The Shawnee News-Star Press, “Tumbleweed owner addresses assaults and rapes in Payne County ” “Man enjoys freedom with new prosthetic Weedstock worries” hand” ADVERTISING Second Place: Michelle Charles, Stillwater News COLUMN WRITING First Place: Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise Press, “Waiting game” First Place: D.E. Smoot, Muskogee Phoenix SPORTS PHOTOGRAPH Second Place: Stillwater News Press Third Place: Kim Archer, Bartlesville Examiner- Second Place: Jason Elmquist, Stillwater First Place: Jason Elmquist, Stillwater News Third Place: The Shawnee News-Star Enterprise, “Bartlesville hospital’s front-line News Press Press, “Spencer Sanders dives toward the health care professionals get vaccine” Third Place: Edwyna Synar, Muskogee Phoenix end zone against Iowa State” EDITORIAL WRITING Second Place: Jason Elmquist, Stillwater News First Place: Muskogee Phoenix FEATURE STORY LARGE SPACE AD Press, “Wrestler jumps into coach’s arms Second Place: The Ardmoreite First Place: Ashlynd Huffman, Stillwater News First Place: Laura Watts, The Journal Record, after winning championship” Third Place: Stillwater News Press Press, “Coping with crisis; Coronavirus “Scissortail Waste Solutions” Third Place: Jason Elmquist, Stillwater News compared to Great Depression” Second Place: Laura Watts, The Journal Press, “Stillwater loses football game to PHOTOGRAPHY Second Place: Cathy Spaulding, Muskogee Record, “Jesus House” Choctaw” First Place: Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise Phoenix, “Blair remembered in words, in Third Place: Laura Watts, The Journal Record, Second Place: Stillwater News Press song” “Oklahoma History Center” FRONT PAGE DESIGN Third Place: The Shawnee News-Star Third Place: Vicky O. Misa, The Shawnee First Place: Tina Bridenstine, The Shawnee News-Star, “Kayak Club: Activity picking up NEWS PHOTOGRAPH News-Star, “December 12” SPORTS COVERAGE at Twin Lakes” First Place: Ashlynd Huffman, Stillwater News Second Place: Tanner Holubar, Stillwater News First Place: Stillwater News Press Press, “Standoff ends in Stillwater man’s Press, “April 1” Second Place: Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise arrest” Third Place: Tina Bridenstine, The Shawnee Third Place: The Shawnee News-Star News-Star, “February 28”

DIVISION 3 – DAILIES, Circ. less than 3,000 SEQUOYAH Second Place: Tahlequah Daily Press, Third Place: Kevin Green, The Claremore Daily NEWS PHOTOGRAPH “Newcomers Guide” Progress, “Claremore track runners reflect First Place: Grant Crawford, Tahlequah Daily AWARD WINNER Third Place: The Ada News, “Readers Choice” on Moore tragedy” Press, “Trump at the BOK” Second Place: Richard Barron, The Ada News, Tahlequah Daily Press COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP IN-DEPTH REPORTING “2020: The Year in Pictures” First Place: McAlester News-Capital, “Angel First Place: Kevin Green and Duane DaPron, Third Place: Richard Barron, The Ada News, NEWS CONTENT Tree” The Claremore Daily Progress, “Effect “Vanoss school students in masks” First Place: Tahlequah Daily Press Second Place: The Ada News, “Breast Cancer of COVID-19 on Rogers State University Second Place: McAlester News-Capital Awareness Month” athletics” FEATURE PHOTOGRAPH Third Place: The Ada News Third Place: Tahlequah Daily Press, “Community Second Place: Kevin Green, The Claremore First Place: Richard Barron, The Ada News, Spirit, Everyday Heroes” Daily Progress, “Local football coaches’ “Fireworks of the Battle of the Kevins” LAYOUT & DESIGN thoughts on COVID-19 and its impact on Second Place: Adrian O’Hanlon III, McAlester First Place: The Ada News NEWS STORY football season” News-Capital, “Preparing bags for Bookbag Second Place: Tahlequah Daily Press First Place: Jeff Cali, The Ada News, “Local Third Place: Derrick James, McAlester News- Giveaway” Third Place: McAlester News-Capital restaurant wading through tough times” Capital, “‘More questions than answers’ after Third Place: Grant Crawford, Tahlequah Daily Second Place: Grant Crawford, Tahlequah McGirt ruling” Press, “River otter moves in at Three Forks” ADVERTISING Daily Press, “NHS loses residency program First Place: McAlester News-Capital accreditation” COLUMN WRITING SPORTS PHOTOGRAPH Second Place: Tahlequah Daily Press Third Place: James Beaty, McAlester News- First Place: Jeff Cali, The Ada News First Place: Jay Lederman, The Claremore Third Place: The Ada News Capital, “Ekklesia of Oklahoma founder Second Place: Cindy Byrd Daily Progress, “Claremore senior makes an alleges Sen. Boggs threatened him ” Third Place: Kevin Green, The Claremore Daily acrobatic catch between Pryor defenders” EDITORIAL WRITING Progress Second Place: Richard Barron, The Ada News, First Place: Tahlequah Daily Press FEATURE STORY “Latta’s Collins breaks Bowen’s record for Second Place: McAlester News-Capital First Place: Kevin Green, The Claremore Daily SMALL SPACE AD most wins” Progress, “Skinner speaks out about racial First Place: Jana Weddle, McAlester News- Third Place: Richard Barron, The Ada News, PHOTOGRAPHY injustice” Capital, “Alamo Liquor” “Vanoss coach celebrates overtime win First Place: The Ada News Second Place: James Beaty, McAlester News- Second Place: Jill Hundley, McAlester News- against Latta” Second Place: McAlester News-Capital Capital, “Bebo: Schooling the blues ” Capital, “Honey Beene” Third Place: Tahlequah Daily Press Third Place: Kevin Green, The Claremore Daily Third Place: Samantha Spears, LeaAnn Wells FRONT PAGE DESIGN Progress, “Kujawa turns bodybuilding hobby and Maurisa Nelson, The Ada News, First Place: Dawnyal Hill, McAlester News- June 2021 | The Oklahoma Publisher SPORTS COVERAGE into passion” “Platinum Custom Detailing LLC” Capital, “March 25” First Place: The Ada News Second Place: Samantha Spears, The Ada Second Place: Tahlequah Daily Press SPORTS STORY LARGE SPACE AD News, “May 21” Third Place: The Claremore Daily Progress First Place: Kevin Green, The Claremore Daily First Place: Jana Weddle, McAlester News- Third Place: Grant Crawford, Tahlequah Daily Progress, “A loving gesture: Mike Darden Capital, “Southeast Clinic” Press, “February 26” SALES PROMOTION gives daughter Kylee lasting sports memory” Second Place: Samantha Spears, LeaAnn First Place: McAlester News-Capital, “Football Second Place: Kevin Green, The Claremore Wells and Maurisa Nelson, The Ada News, Preview” Daily Progress, “Like father, like son: Matt, “Waddell Vineyards” Scott Walton celebrate 25th anniversary of Third Place: Jana Weddle, McAlester News- father-son racing program” Capital, “Kennedy EyeCare”

15 SEMI- AND TRI-WEEKLIES SEQUOYAH Second Place: Okmulgee Times, “Focus Third Place: Glen Miller and Staff , El Reno NEWS PHOTOGRAPH Magazine” Tribune, “Robocop: El Reno policeman wins First Place: Glen Miller, El Reno Tribune, “Floyd AWARD WINNER Third Place: Woodward News, “Behind the Strongest Man title” protest photo essay” Scenes” Second Place: Glen Miller, El Reno Tribune, El Reno Tribune IN-DEPTH REPORTING “Lineman works after ice damage” COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP First Place: Glen Miller and Staff , El Reno Third Place: Johnny McMahan, Woodward NEWS CONTENT First Place: El Reno Tribune, “El Reno Live” Tribune, “Hub into the HOF” News, “Trailer house fire” First Place: Yukon Review Second Place: Sequoyah County Times, “Pet Second Place: Staff, El Reno Tribune, “COVID Second Place: Okmulgee Times Calendar Contest” 19 coverage” FEATURE PHOTOGRAPH Third Place: Sequoyah County Times Third Place: Okmulgee Times, “Distanced Third Place: Charlene Belew, The Duncan First Place: Glen Miller, El Reno Tribune, “3 Dining Sponsorships” Banner, “Medicinal Marijuana Ordinance” stages of pelicans in flight” LAYOUT & DESIGN Second Place: Glen Miller, El Reno Tribune, First Place: El Reno Tribune NEWS STORY COLUMN WRITING “Smiling boy at Therapeutic Riding Second Place: Woodward News First Place: Roy Faulkenberry, Sequoyah First Place: Roy Faulkenberry, Sequoyah Program” Third Place: Yukon Review County Times, “DA outlines concerns over County Times Third Place: Tamara Gregor, The Duncan McGirt ruling” Second Place: Linda Provost, The Duncan Banner, “Local boy’s wish draws military ADVERTISING Second Place: Glen Miller and El Reno Tribune Banner crowd” First Place: Okmulgee Times Staff , El Reno Tribune, “Floyd anger spills Third Place: David Seeley, Poteau Daily News Second Place: Henryetta Free-Lance to El Reno” SPORTS PHOTOGRAPH Third Place: Woodward News Third Place: Dawnita Fogleman, Woodward SMALL SPACE AD First Place: Chris Day, Sequoyah County News, “Schools rise to challenge: Sharon- First Place: Lyndsay Bayne and Erin Thompson, Times, “Central High running back stiff arms EDITORIAL WRITING Mutual using innovative techniques in El Reno Tribune, “Ross Seed: spring garden” Heavener player” First Place: El Reno Tribune distance learning” Second Place: Crystal Childers, The Duncan Second Place: Chris Day, Sequoyah County Second Place: Woodward News Banner, “DYO Pizza” Times, “Block in basketball game of Sallisaw Third Place: The Duncan Banner FEATURE STORY Third Place: Lyndsay Bayne and El Reno v. Roland” First Place: Shonda Little, The Elk City News, Tribune Staff , El Reno Tribune, “Ross Seed: Third Place: Glen Miller, El Reno Tribune, PHOTOGRAPHY “Elk City mother tells harrowing story of No bugs allowed” “Volleyball player dives for ball in regional First Place: El Reno Tribune premature birth” match against Glenpool ” Second Place: Henryetta Free-Lance Second Place: Shonda Little, The Elk City LARGE SPACE AD Third Place: Woodward News” News, “Beckham County cowboy celebrates First Place: Lyndsay Bayne and Erin Thompson, FRONT PAGE DESIGN 74th birthday and remembers famous horse” El Reno Tribune, “City of El Reno COVID First Place: Glen Miller, Lyndsay Bayne and SPORTS COVERAGE Third Place: Patrick Ford, Okmulgee Times, resources” Staff , El Reno Tribune, “February 2” First Place: El Reno Tribune “Commissioner has enjoyed ‘tour of duty’” Second Place: Lyndsay Bayne and El Reno Second Place: Charlene Belew, The Duncan Second Place: Okmulgee Times Tribune Staff , El Reno Tribune, “Ross Seed Banner, “June 20” Third Place: The Duncan Banner SPORTS STORY garden workshop” Third Place: Patrick Ford, Okmulgee Times, First Place: Glen Miller and Staff , El Reno Third Place: Crystal Childers, The Duncan “January 31” SALES PROMOTION Tribune, “Hub into the HOF” Banner, “Powerhouse Academy” First Place: Sequoyah County Times, Second Place: Glen Miller and Staff , El Reno “Retirement Fair” Tribune, “El Reno remembers the Hall of Fame career lived by Hub Reed”

DIVISION 4 – WEEKLIES, Circ. more than 1,700

SEQUOYAH SALES PROMOTION Second Place: Shalene White, The Madill Third Place: Juanita Lewis, The Stilwell First Place: OKC Friday, “Celebrate Oklahoma” Record, “Dallas Cowboys lay out COVID-19 Democrat Journal, “Stilwell Spirits AWARD WINNER Second Place: The Eufaula Indian Journal, prevention plan” Christmas” “Gridiron Guide ” Third Place: Shalene White, The Madill Record, The Purcell Register Third Place: Choctaw Times, “Hometown “Kingston teen named All-American in NEWS PHOTOGRAPH Heroes: A salute to essential workers” trapshooting” First Place: Brian Blansett, Lincoln County NEWS CONTENT News, “Graduation parade wave” First Place: Lincoln County News COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP IN-DEPTH REPORTING Second Place: Kindra Blansett, Lincoln County Second Place: Mustang Times First Place: The Purcell Register, “Operation First Place: Ryan Horton , Choctaw Times, News, “Flag-waving girl at playoffs” Third Place: OKC Friday Christmas” “Choctaw’s road plan” Third Place: Brian Blansett, Lincoln County Second Place: The Eufaula Indian Journal, Second Place: John Small, Tom Lokey and News, “Chandler Rodeo bullrider” LAYOUT & DESIGN “Children during a pandemic” Mary Lokey, Johnston County Sentinel, First Place: The Stilwell Democrat Journal Third Place: Choctaw Times, “Food Drive” “COVID-19 coverage” FEATURE PHOTOGRAPH Second Place: Mustang Times Third Place: John Small, Johnston County First Place: Ryan Horton , Choctaw Times, “Sun Third Place: The Purcell Register NEWS STORY Sentinel, “Federal judge strikes down McCall sets behind the Choctaw Creek Park pond” First Place: John Small, Johnston County railroad law ” Second Place: Joshua Small, Johnston County ADVERTISING Sentinel, “Tempers flare during discussion of Sentinel, “Red, White and BOOM! fireworks” First Place: OKC Friday proposed park” COLUMN WRITING Third Place: Traci Chapman, Mustang Times, Second Place: The Purcell Register Second Place: Ryan Horton , Choctaw Times, First Place: Traci Chapman, Mustang Times “Splash pad at Wild Horse Park” Third Place: Mustang Times “Biosolid debate continues” Second Place: Renee Fite, The Stilwell Third Place: Jessica Lane, The Express-Star, Democrat Journal SPORTS PHOTOGRAPH EDITORIAL WRITING “Protest against racism, for love grows in Third Place: John Small, Johnston County First Place: Rodney Haltom, The Eufaula Indian First Place: The Purcell Register Chickasha” Sentinel Journal, “Bronc rider goes airborne at Second Place: Mustang Times Eufaula Round-Up Club Rodeo” Third Place: The Stilwell Democrat Journal FEATURE STORY SMALL SPACE AD Second Place: Lindsay Tesio , Choctaw Times, First Place: Renee Fite, The Stilwell Democrat First Place: David Stull, The Purcell Register, “Choctaw and Booker T. Washington players PHOTOGRAPHY Journal, “Sophia loves horses” “Purcell Chiropractic” in midair clash” First Place: Choctaw Times Second Place: Rose Lane, OKC Friday, Second Place: David Stull, The Purcell Register, Third Place: Jason Turner, Choctaw Times, Second Place: Mustang Times “Beasley’s recreation of painting featured “Clark’s Floors & More” “Fans prepare to catch Harrah Homecoming Third Place: The Purcell Register in ‘People’” Third Place: Juanita Lewis, The Stilwell Queen on court” Third Place: Rebecca Carroll, Marietta Monitor, Democrat Journal, “Front Porch Fabrics” SPORTS COVERAGE “Trip of a lifetime... Langleys’ summer FRONT PAGE DESIGN First Place: The Purcell Register journey” LARGE SPACE AD First Place: Ryan Horton, Choctaw Times, Second Place: OKC Friday First Place: Joshua Small, Johnston County “January 1” Third Place: Mustang Times SPORTS STORY Sentinel, “Simple Simon’s Pizza” Second Place: Jeff Harrison and Traci First Place: Shalene White, The Madill Record, Second Place: Kindra Blansett, Lincoln County Chapman, Mustang Times, “February 19” “Half of a crown makes one feel whole” News, “Anthony’s Foods” Third Place: Juanita Lewis, The Stilwell Democrat Journal, “December 16” June 2021 | The Oklahoma Publisher The Oklahoma 2021 | June 16 DIVISION 5 – WEEKLIES, Circ. 1,176 to 1,700

SEQUOYAH Second Place: Vian Tenkiller News, Third Place: Flora Walters, The Cordell Beacon, NEWS PHOTOGRAPH “Coronavirus Heroes” “Injury ends wrestler’s season” First Place: Jeff Harrison, Midwest City Beacon, AWARD WINNER Third Place: Watonga Republican, “Chalk Your “Nursing home visit through window” Walk Contest” IN-DEPTH REPORTING Second Place: Jeff Harrison, Midwest City The Cleveland American First Place: Brandi Ball, The Cleveland Beacon, “Rose State student union ribbon COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP American, “Murder victim tied to Oklahoma cutting” First Place: Watonga Republican, “Black Lives cold case” NEWS CONTENT Third Place: Jennifer Pitts, Countywide & Sun, Matter Special Section” Second Place: Suzie Campbell, Countywide & “Drive-through testing at three local sites” First Place: McIntosh County Democrat Second Place: McIntosh County Democrat, Sun, “Who’s in charge of the Expo Center” Second Place: Watonga Republican “Domestic Violence Awakening” Third Place: Brandi Ball, The Cleveland Third Place: Midwest City Beacon FEATURE PHOTOGRAPH Third Place: Countywide & Sun, “Pottawatomie American, “Drive-by shooting trial” First Place: Thomas Martinez, The Cordell Power” Beacon, “A Virtual Santa” LAYOUT & DESIGN COLUMN WRITING First Place: Vian Tenkiller News Second Place: Suzie Campbell, Countywide & NEWS STORY First Place: Patti Poteete, Countywide & Sun Sun, “Thanks for your service at Woodland Second Place: The Cleveland American First Place: Brandi Ball, The Cleveland Second Place: Rusty Ferguson, The Cleveland Third Place: Countywide & Sun Veterans Park” American, “Murder victim tied to Oklahoma American Third Place: Jeff Harrison, Midwest City Beacon, cold case” Third Place: Connie Burcham, Watonga “Graduation speech filming at Carl Albert” ADVERTISING Second Place: Brandi Ball, The Cleveland Republican First Place: Midwest City Beacon American, “Execution delayed after attorneys SPORTS PHOTOGRAPH Second Place: Watonga Republican contract virus” SMALL SPACE AD Third Place: Tuttle Times First Place: Jeff Harrison, Midwest City Beacon, Third Place: Thomas Martinez, The Cordell First Place: Jennifer Pitts, Countywide & Sun, “Midwest City player reaches for touchdown Beacon, “First wave of vaccines set to hit” “Pottawatomie County Votes GOP” against Carl Albert” EDITORIAL WRITING Second Place: Jennifer Pitts, Countywide & First Place: Midwest City Beacon Second Place: Jeff Harrison, Midwest City FEATURE STORY Sun, “Tecumseh First Assembly drive-thru Beacon, “Carl Albert’s Kentrell Bizzell runs Second Place: Countywide & Sun First Place: Shonda Little, Beckham County egg hunt” Third Place: The Cleveland American from Del City tackler” Record, “The life and death of Staff Sargent Third Place: Tatiana Ryland and Kimberly Third Place: Natasha Dunagan, Countywide & Aaron Weaver” Jenkins, Watonga Republican, “McCrary PHOTOGRAPHY Sun, “Softball player dives for home against Second Place: LaDonna Rhodes, McIntosh Veterinary Hospital” Bridge Creek” First Place: The Cleveland American County Democrat, “Vietnam veteran’s love Second Place: Countywide & Sun letters” LARGE SPACE AD Third Place: Midwest City Beacon FRONT PAGE DESIGN Third Place: Thomas Martinez, Watonga First Place: Jennifer Pitts, Countywide & Sun, First Place: Tatiana Ryland, Watonga Republican, “Living with Tourette’s” “The Farmer’s Daughter ” Republican, “July 29” SPORTS COVERAGE Second Place: Kimberly Jenkins, Watonga First Place: Countywide & Sun Second Place: Jeff Harrison, Midwest City SPORTS STORY Republican, “A2Z Auto Parts” Beacon, “June 10” Second Place: Tuttle Times First Place: Jeff Harrison, Midwest City Beacon, Third Place: Tatiana Ryland, Watonga Third Place: The Cleveland American Third Place: Suzie Campbell, Countywide & “Bombers knock off unbeaten Panthers” Republican, “Cimarron Electric: Hello Spring” Sun, “February 27” Second Place: Jacob Factor, Countywide & SALES PROMOTION Sun, “4-2 Spring sports seasons canceled” First Place: The Cleveland American, “Hot Summer Fun”

DIVISION 6 – WEEKLIES, Circ. 900 to 1,175

SEQUOYAH SALES PROMOTION Second Place: Shawn Hein , Owasso Reporter, NEWS PHOTOGRAPH First Place: Owasso Reporter, “Readers Choice” “Isabella Strong: Collinsville child battles First Place: Art Haddaway, Owasso Reporter, AWARD WINNER Second Place: The Marlow Review, “Marlow’s cancer, inspires soccer team to title ” “Racial injustice protest photo essay” historic football season keepsake edition” Third Place: Elizabeth Pitts-Hibbard, The Marlow Second Place: Matt Swearengin, Durant Owasso Reporter Third Place: Wagoner County American-Tribune, Review, “A surprise gift, an “unforgettable” Democrat, “Daughter & children next to OHP “Hometown Guide” game” Captain Jeff Sewell’s casket” NEWS CONTENT Third Place: Matt Swearengin, Durant COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP IN-DEPTH REPORTING Democrat, “Smoke and flames escape the First Place: Owasso Reporter First Place: Carol Conner, The Fairfax Chief, Second Place: Wagoner County American- First Place: The Marlow Review, “Staff produced windows during house fire” custom masks for school faculty” “Hospital bankruptcy and purchase” Tribune Second Place: Art Haddaway, Owasso Reporter, Third Place: The Fairfax Chief Second Place: The Fairfax Chief, “Trunk Show” FEATURE PHOTOGRAPH Third Place: Mustang News, “Grace Home” “Owasso CVS Pharmacy fined $75,000, First Place: Sherry Stinson, The Fairfax Chief, placed on probation” LAYOUT & DESIGN “The Christmas Star at Osage Nation NEWS STORY Third Place: Lenzy Krehbiel-Burton, The Fairfax Heritage Trail” First Place: Owasso Reporter Chief, “Wind farm litigation in Osage county” Second Place: Wagoner County American- First Place: Matt Swearengin, Durant Democrat, Second Place: Owen Hutcheson, The Fairfax “Sheriff’s deputy laid to rest” Chief, “Variations from Swan Lake” Tribune COLUMN WRITING Third Place: Mustang News Second Place: Elizabeth Pitts-Hibbard, The Third Place: Sherry Stinson, The Fairfax Chief, Marlow Review, “Community events address First Place: Jim Redwine, The Fairfax Chief “Rising of the Milky Way” race relations” Second Place: Bruce Hadden, The Fairfax Chief ADVERTISING Third Place: Scott Wright, Apache News First Place: Wagoner County American-Tribune Third Place: Elizabeth Pitts-Hibbard, Judy Keller SPORTS PHOTOGRAPH and Faith Leatherman, The Marlow Review, First Place: Shawn Hein , Owasso Reporter, Second Place: Mustang News SMALL SPACE AD Third Place: The Fairfax Chief “Active shooter exercise helps agencies “Owasso coach and swimmers cheer during prepare” First Place: Sherry Stinson, The Fairfax Chief, Class 6A east regional” “Town of Fairfax” EDITORIAL WRITING Second Place: Carol Conner, The Fairfax Chief, June 2021 | The Oklahoma Publisher FEATURE STORY Second Place: Sherry Stinson, The Fairfax “Woodland’s spirited softball team leaves for First Place: Owasso Reporter Chief, “First Osage Baptist Church” Second Place: Wagoner County American- First Place: Art Haddaway, Owasso Reporter, final games” “Bows for the Blue: Woman rallies Owasso Third Place: Angie Gentry, Bristow News , Third Place: Matt Swearengin, Durant Democrat, Tribune Bristow News, “Happy Birthday Basil Baker” Third Place: The Fairfax Chief to support police, fallen Tulsa officer ” “Softball player lands on home base” Second Place: Nicole Roberts, The Fairfax LARGE SPACE AD PHOTOGRAPHY Chief, “Streaming stickball skills” FRONT PAGE DESIGN Third Place: Carol Conner, The Fairfax First Place: Misti Rinehart, Annette Riherd and First Place: Joseph Fasano , Owasso Reporter, First Place: Owasso Reporter Brandi Smith , Owasso Reporter, “Dale & Second Place: Wagoner County American- Chief, “Wendy Ponca – our own masked “May 27” superhero” Lee’s Service” Second Place: Melanie Allen , Owasso Reporter, Tribune Second Place: Angie Gentry, Bristow News Third Place: The Fairfax Chief “January 8” SPORTS STORY , Bristow News, “Western Heritage Days Third Place: Joseph Fasano , Owasso Reporter, Rodeo” SPORTS COVERAGE First Place: Shawn Hein, Owasso Reporter, “June 10” “Senior tribute: Owasso mothers honor Third Place: Sherry Stinson, The Fairfax Chief, First Place: Owasso Reporter “Tyler: Happy Howlidays” Second Place: Mustang News athletes after spring season cut short” Third Place: Durant Democrat 17 DIVISION 7 – WEEKLIES, Circ. less than 900

SEQUOYAH SALES PROMOTION Third Place: Todd Brooks, The Comanche Second Place: Brian Blansett, Tri-County First Place: The Geary Star, “Geary Invitational Times, “Love for hunting turns into ingenuity” Herald, “Y-M-C-A boy dancing” AWARD WINNER Section” Third Place: Brian Blansett, Tri-County Herald, Second Place: Cushing Citizen, “Cimarron SPORTS STORY “Hampshire hog shown in Meeker swine Eastern Times-Register Christmas” First Place: Todd Brooks, The Comanche Times, jackpot show” Third Place: Eastern Times-Register, “School “Comanche finds last-minute replacement for Tabs” homecoming; ‘Tweet’ success” FEATURE PHOTOGRAPH NEWS CONTENT Second Place: Todd Brooks, The Comanche First Place: Brian Blansett, Tri-County Herald, First Place: The Altus Times COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP Times, “Big house bound; Indians blank “Meeker Tiny Cheer blows a kiss” Second Place: Cushing Citizen Lindsay in season opener, 5-0” Second Place: Allie Prater, Drumright Gusher, Third Place: The Hinton Record First Place: Minco-Union City Times, “Helping Paw” Third Place: Todd Brooks, The Comanche “Homecoming king and queen” Second Place: Eastern Times-Register, “Ahimsa Times, “Kooper Doucet wins Jr. High State Third Place: Kevin Hilley, The Altus Times, LAYOUT & DESIGN in final attempt” “Cattle Stampede at Altus Air Force Base” First Place: The Hinton Record Rescue Foundation” Second Place: Drumright Gusher Third Place: The Hinton Record, “Sports Scholarship Offered” COLUMN WRITING SPORTS PHOTOGRAPH Third Place: Eastern Times-Register First Place: J.D. Meisner, Cushing Citizen First Place: Kevin Hilley, The Altus Times, NEWS STORY Second Place: Jyl Hobbs, Mountain View News “Volleyball player dives to keep the ball in ADVERTISING Third Place: Allie Prater, Cushing Citizen play” First Place: Minco-Union City Times First Place: Thomas Martinez, The Hinton Record, “Ice storm causes major damage” Second Place: Rick Hester, Tri-County Herald, Second Place: Eastern Times-Register LARGE SPACE AD “Bound for state - basketball coach hugs Third Place: Cushing Citizen Second Place: Allie Prater, Yale News, “Car theft on the rise” First Place: Tatiana Ryland and Kimberly player” Third Place: Kevin Hilley, The Altus Times, Jenkins, The Geary Star, “2020 Spring Third Place: Kevin Hilley, The Altus Times, PHOTOGRAPHY Livestock Show” “Navajo softball player at home base against First Place: Yale News “High-efficiency train loading capacity plan show great promise” Second Place: Kimberly Jenkins, The Geary Snyder” Second Place: Minco-Union City Times Star, “Cimarron Electric: So much to Third Place: Cushing Citizen FEATURE STORY celebrate!” FRONT PAGE DESIGN First Place: Kevin Hilley, The Altus Times, Third Place: Tatiana Ryland, The Geary Star, First Place: Tatiana Ryland, The Hinton Record, SPORTS COVERAGE “Congratulations Landon Holt” “September 9” First Place: Eastern Times-Register “Annual fall festival hosted at Martha Valley Farms” Second Place: Juanita Lewis, The Westville Second Place: Cushing Citizen NEWS PHOTOGRAPH Reporter, “November 12” Third Place: Drumright Gusher Second Place: Kevin Hilley, The Altus Times, “Football player carves out her own path in First Place: Allie Prater, Drumright Gusher, Third Place: Tatiana Ryland, The Hinton Record, Altus sports” “Schoolbus maintenance before school “February 19” begins” COLLEGE NEWSPAPERS

SEQUOYAH SPORTS COVERAGE Northwestern are keeping athletes motivated First Place: The Cameron University Collegian and conditioned” FEATURE PHOTOGRAPH AWARD WINNER Second Place: Northwestern News Third Place: Cambron Alsbrook, The Cameron First Place: Jordan Green, Northwestern News, University Collegian, “Beginning of the end: “October sledding fall” The Cameron University NEWS STORY An interview with Preston ‘Ender_Blade’ Second Place: Bailey Bussell, The Vista, Collegian First Place: Zoe Petersen, Pioneer, “Employees Meek” “Getting glossed for Glamazon 2020” claim college doesn’t protect from bad Third Place: Lea Killian, The Cameron bosses” IN-DEPTH REPORTING University Collegian, “Madison Lyda” NEWS CONTENT Second Place: Lea Houston, The Gazette, First Place: Nick Dill and Kevin Ford, First Place: Northwestern News, Northwestern “NASA visits Langston” Northwestern News, “University recycling SPORTS PHOTOGRAPH Oklahoma State University Third Place: Antonice Johnson, The Gazette, programs” First Place: Charity Whitson, The Southeastern, Second Place: The Gazette, Langston University “Bills, bills, bills” Second Place: Leah Darnell and Logan Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Third Place: The Cameron University Collegian Meriwether, Northwestern News, “COVID- “Basketball player at free throw line” FEATURE STORY 19’s impact on education” Second Place: Cambron Alsbrook, The LAYOUT & DESIGN First Place: Citlali Vazquez-Perez, Pioneer, Cameron University Collegian, “Cameron First Place: The Cameron University Collegian “Raquel: One woman, millions of stories COLUMN WRITING basketball players in Oklahoma Christian Second Place: Northwestern News (English & Spanish translations)” First Place: Jordan Green, Northwestern News game” Second Place: Zoe Petersen, Pioneer, “Breaking Second Place: Amanda King, The Cameron Third Place: Na’Tianna Stocker, The Gazette, EDITORIAL WRITING trends: ‘Bomaigii’ woman embraces University Collegian “Langston basketball guard goes up against First Place: The Cameron University Collegian independence” Third Place: McKayla Holson, Northwestern Texas Wesleyan” Second Place: The Vista, University of Central Third Place: JaNae Williams, The Vista, News Oklahoma “Remembering Marissa Murrow” FRONT PAGE DESIGN Third Place: The Campus, Oklahoma City NEWS PHOTOGRAPH First Place: Na’Tianna Stocker, The Gazette, University SPORTS STORY First Place: Stacie Larsen, The Cameron “October 20” First Place: Anthony Mellendorf, The Vista, “A University Collegian, “Straw dam preparation Second Place: Lea Killian, The Cameron PHOTOGRAPHY three-decade old friendship spurs a new at excavation site” University Collegian, “November 9” First Place: The Cameron University Collegian one” Second Place: Cici Simon, The Vista, “Students Third Place: Madison Lyda, The Cameron Second Place: Northwestern News Second Place: David Thornton, Northwestern sit six feet apart while studying in the Nigh” University Collegian, “February 3” Third Place: The Gazette News, “We have a chance’: Coaches at Third Place: David Thornton, Northwestern News, “Bob Ross painting event” Congratulations to all the Better Newspaper Contest and Award winners. June 2021 | The Oklahoma Publisher The Oklahoma 2021 | June 18 ADDITIONAL AWARDS & HONORS 2020 OPA MAGAZINE CONTEST 2020 DIGITAL MEDIA AWARDS FIRST PLACE DAILY DIVISION FIRST PLACE THE LAWTON CONSTITUTION THE LAWTON CONSTITUTION SECOND PLACE SECOND PLACE THE SHAWNEE NEWS-STAR MUSKOGEE PHOENIX THIRD PLACE THIRD PLACE THE ADA NEWS BARTLESVILLE WEEKLY DIVISION EXAMINER-ENTERPRISE FIRST PLACE JOHNSTON COUNTY SENTINEL 2020 JOSEPH H. EDWARDS OUTDOOR WRITER SECOND PLACE THE PURCELL REGISTER OF THE YEAR AWARD THIRD PLACE KELLY BOSTIAN, Tulsa World EL RENO TRIBUNE

COLLEGE DIVISION 2020 RAY LOKEY MEMORIAL AWARD FOR FIRST PLACE EXCELLENCE IN REPORTING THE CAMPUS Oklahoma City University ASHLYND HUFFMAN, Stillwater News Press 2020 OPA PERFECTA AWARD WINNERS The Perfecta Award honors OPA member newspapers Hughes County Tribune The Pawnee Chief that achieve 100 percent accuracy on advertising orders Hugo News The Perkins Journal from Oklahoma Press Service in the previous year. The Kingfisher Times Perry Journal The American (Afton) The Cordell Beacon & Free Press The Piedmont-Surrey Gazette The Allen Advocate Cushing Citizen Kiowa County Democrat The Prague Times-Herald Alva Review-Courier The Cyril News The Konawa Leader The Purcell Register The Anadarko Daily News The Davis News The Lindsay News The Ringling Eagle Apache News The Delaware County Journal The Lone Grove Ledger Sand Springs Leader The Ardmoreite The Dewey County Record Marietta Monitor Sapulpa Herald The Black Chronicle (OKC) Drumright Gusher McIntosh County Democrat The Sentinel Leader The Boise City News The Duncan Banner McCurtain Gazette The Shawnee News-Star Bristow News Eastern Times-Register The Miami News-Record Skiatook Journal Broken Bow News (Roland) Midwest City Beacon Spiro Graphic Buffalo Weekly News Enid News & Eagle Minco-Union City Times The Stilwell Democrat Journal The Canton Times Garvin County News Star The Mooreland Leader Stroud American The Carnegie Herald Geary Star Mountain View News Sulphur Times-Democrat The Vici Vision The Chronicle (Elgin) The Grove Sun Muskogee Phoenix Tahlequah Daily Press Vinita Daily Journal The Country Connection News Guthrie News Leader Mustang News Talihina American The Walters Herald June 2021 | The Oklahoma Publisher (Eakly) Harper County Leader Northwest Oklahoman (Arnett) The Thomas Tribune Weatherford Daily News The County Times (Lawton) The Healdton Herald OKC Friday The Tonkawa News The Wewoka Times The Chelsea Reporter Heavener Ledger The Okeene Record Tri-County Herald (Meeker) The Wilson Post-Democrat Choctaw Times Henryetta Free-Lance Okemah News Leader Tulsa Beacon The Wynnewood Gazette Clayton Today The Hinton Record Owasso Reporter The Tuttle Times Yukon Progress Clinton Daily News The Hominy News-Progress Pauls Valley Democrat The Valliant Leader Yukon Review The Comanche Times The Hooker Advance Pawhuska Journal-Capital Vian Tenkiller News Congratulations to the Perfecta Award Winners 19 PHOTOS OF THE YEAR 2020 DAILY SWEEPSTAKES WINNER: SCOTT RAINS, The Lawton Constitution 2020 WEEKLY SWEEPSTAKES WINNER: HALEY HUMPHREY, Yukon Review

Congratulations to the 2020 OGE Photo Contest Sweepstakes Winners!

The Photo Contest Sweepstakes was judged by members of the Iowa Press Pushing through the smoke and spraying water with force, Lawton fi refi ghters in the bucket of a ladder truck work to contain a fi re as it erupts out from the attic area of one of the buildings at Landings III. Association. Photo by SCOTT RAINS, The Lawton Constitution, July 2020

View all winning photos at OkPress.com/ OGE-Photo- Contest

Enter and Win $100 from OGE Energy Corp. For more information about the photo contest, visit www.okpress.com A sweet alpaca goes in for a holiday kiss at “Christmas on Main” along Main Street in downtown Yukon. Photo by HALEY HUMPHREY, Yukon Review, December 2020

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21 Apple AirTags and Amazon Sidewalk released Tulsa World creates The new AirTags have work using Sidewalk Bridge website to house Computer Notes an anti-stalking feature but devices like Echo and Ring. massacre coverage from the road you have to have an iPhone The idea is if a home’s by Wilma Newby for it to work. If someone WiFi goes out then a Ring The Tulsa World cre- [email protected] else’s AirTag ends up in doorbell can look for other ated a website to house On April 30 Apple your bag and the owner is Sidewalk enabled devices all the content about the released AirTags. This out of the area, your iPhone to use. Tulsa Race Massacre in accessory gives you the will notice and send you an The more Sidewalk-en- one place. ability to find devices with alert. I guess Android users abled devices, the stron- The site brings togeth- the tags attached literally are out of luck at this point. ger the network. It only er actual newspaper cov- anywhere there is someone If your AirTag is lost a uses a little bandwidth of erage from 100 years ago with a Bluetooth enabled signal is sent to iCloud and the other device’s home, of the Tulsa World and iPhone. the “Find My” app helps capped at 500MB, paid for the Tulsa Tribune along This is not really new you locate it by using mil- by the owner of that device with current coverage, tech for Apple, which has lions of other iPhone/Apple per month. Amazon has historical documents and had its own Bluetooth net- devices. Of course, it’s all created a network without other resources. work running for a long encrypted. laying any cable. Included on the site time. The “Find My” app Android phone compa- Customers with a Side- is a timeline, FAQs, uses any iPhone, iPad, nies use a Google account walk Bridge enabled device photographs, the Tulsa laptop or computer that to do the same function. contribute a small portion World and Tulsa Tribune has Bluetooth enabled in But unlike Apple, they use of their internet bandwidth, archive of stories relat- the area to find a missing the WiFi/wireless service which is pooled together ed to the massacre; and laptop, iPhone or even your to find the phone. For now, to create a shared network resources. runaway dog. AirTags only work with that benefits all Side- It also includes a spe- AirTags means a whole iPhones. walk-enabled devices in a cial report of the series lot more devices are going Samsung has set up the community. published on May 31, to be out there looking for same sort of network for its Amazon Sidewalk went 2020, that retells the an open phone so its owner SmartTags. live on the June 8 and is story of Tulsa leading up can track it down. Tile Pro was one of the on unless you turn it off. to the massacre and the Bluetooth doesn’t use a first companies to create To turn it off, log in to your aftermath and the 100 phone’s data, but instead these type of devices. It app that controls the Side- years later series pub- uses short-range radio uses the phone it’s paired walk/Ring enabled device lished in the days leading waves to connect devices. with, but does not use oth- at More > Settings > Account up to the 100th anniver- It covers about 30 square ers Bluetooth. Tile has a setting >Amazon Sidewalk.  sary in 2021. feet max depending on how 400-foot range. Amazon has released a The material is avail- many walls are involved. Now Amazon has set up White paper on the subject able to view at tulsa- The simple way to it’s own Bluetooth network, of privacy and say they use world.com/racemassacre. avoid this is to only have Sidewalk, covering a half multiple layers of encryp- Bluetooth on when you’re mile area. tion. Read it at m.media-ama- actively using it. Now Amazon Sidewalk cre- zon.com/images/G/01/sidewalk/ Chamber names someone looking for their ates a low-bandwidth net- final_privacy_security_white- Mark Radford as lost iPhone won’t be able to paper.pdf use your device to locate it. Citizen of the Year OPA Computer Consultant Wilma Newby’s column is brought to you by Ah, a dilemma – conve- the Oklahoma Advertising Network (OAN). For more information on the The Crescent Chamber of nience over privacy, again. OAN program, contact Oklahoma Press Service at (405) 499-0020. Commerce recently named Mark Radford, publisher and editor of the Logan County Courier, as the 2021 LEGAL ADVICE Citizen of the Year. is just one of the benefits of being a member of the Oklahoma Press Radford graduated from Association’s Legal Services Plan. Remove the worry of needing Oklahoma Christian College professional advice by enrolling today. For more information contact: in 1982. He and his family moved to Crescent in the OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION’S 1990s. In early 2003, Rad- LEGAL SERVICES PLAN ford started the Crescent Courier, now named the 1-888-815-2672 or 405-499-0020 Logan County Courier. June 2021 | The Oklahoma Publisher The Oklahoma 2021 | June 22 Closing shots from the OPA Convention Convention photos by Richard Barron, Ada Evening News. More than 100 convention photos available to view at facebook.com/okpress.

Retired LSP attorney Michael Minnis was recognized at the OPA convention. Pictured are Martha Minnis, Mike Minnis, OPA Executive Vice President Mark Thomas and current LSP Moderator Mike Strain asks Rep. Frank Lucas a question during attorney Doug Dodd. the Congressional Q&A session. Strain is president of the Okla- homa Press Association. Oklahoma Sen. Roger Thomp- son discusses the recent legislative session at the OPA Convention. Thompson is also owner of the Okemah News Leader.

Trivia Night winners with their “Braniac” trophies. Shauna Belyeu and LaDonna Rhodes, The Eufaula Indian Journal; Beth and Jeff Mayo, Sequoyah County Times; and David and Saundra Stringer, The Lawton Constitution. Also on the winning Shauna Belyeu, McIntosh County Democrat, accepts the Grand team was Don Mecoy, The Oklahoman. Blooper Award from OPA EVP Mark Thomas.

KatieBeth Gardner, Local Legal Initiative attorney based in Oklahoma for Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, discusses how to OPA members take the opportunity to speak to members of effectively use the Oklahoma On display throughout the June 11-12 OPA Convention were first the congressional delegation before the Congressional Q&A Open Records Act at the OPA place winners in the 2020 Better Newspaper Contest. session. Convention.

OPA STAFF DIRECTORY ADMINISTRATION ADVERTISING CREATIVE SERVICES MARK THOMAS, Executive Vice President LANDON COBB, Sales Director JENNIFER GILLILAND, Creative Services Director June 2021 | The Oklahoma Publisher [email protected], (405) 499-0033 [email protected], (405) 499-0022 [email protected], (405) 499-0028 JEANNIE FREEMAN, Accounting Manager CINDY SHEA, Advertising Director [email protected], (405) 499-0027 [email protected], (405) 499-0023 COMPUTER ADVICE SCOTT WILKERSON, Front Office/Building Mgr. WILMA NEWBY, Computer Consultant 405) 499-0031 [email protected], (405) 499-0020 DIGITAL CLIPPING [email protected], ( KEITH BURGIN, Clipping Director GENERAL INQUIRIES MEMBER SERVICES [email protected], (405) 499-0024 LISA SUTLIFF, Member Services Director (405) 499-0020 JENNIFER CATES, Digital Clipping Dept. 405) 499-0026 [email protected], ( [email protected] Fax: (405) 499-0048 CHRISTINE FRANK, Membership & Meeting Dir. SAMANTHA SMITH, Clipping / Advertising OkPress.com 405) 499-0040 [email protected], ( [email protected], (405) 499-0035 Toll-free in OK: 1-888-815-2672 23 OKLAHOMA NATURAL GAS CONTEST WINNERS

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2020 SWEEPSTAKES WINNERS Column: JENNIFER PITTS, Countywide & Sun (Tecumseh) Editorial: DAVID STRINGER, The Lawton Constitution Enter and Win a $100 Check Excerpts from 2020 Column Sweepstakes Winner (April 2020) from Oklahoma JENNIFER PITTS, COUNTYWIDE & SUN Natural Gas! The Oklahoma Natural Gas Just Breathe Column and Editorial Contest Sweepstakes was judged I attended my first video tele- especially thankful to learn comparison, the less familiar by members of the conference last week. Before Zoom doesn’t require you to high-tech version had 27 partic- Iowa Press Association. the start of the virtual gather- record yourself, or even have ipants and viewers signed into ing, a special meeting for the a video camera connected, to the meeting. 1. Each month, send a tearsheet Tecumseh School Board, I had participate. That may not seem like or photocopy of your best never heard of Zoom. Now that There was, however, one much, but if that many people column and/or editorial to I’ve been initiated, I’ll say for the thing I hadn’t expected. And it had been physically present at Oklahoma Natural Gas record I’m a fan, almost. may turn out to be the biggest the school board office, it would Contest, c/o OPA, 3601 N. Still in my pj’s, hair in an selling point of all for any cur- have been a packed room. Lincoln Blvd., Oklahoma City, out-of-the-way pile on top of my rent, and even future, videocon- It may quite possibly end up OK 73105-5499. Entries also head, snacks within reach, I sat ference meetings. being one of the most positive may be emailed (full-page at my computer typing notes Before today, the last two “side effects” born from the tearsheet) to news@okpress. faster than I can write by hand. Tecumseh school board meet- COVID-19 pandemic –– at least com. The Zoom window was open on ings I attended were joined as long as video selfies remain half my screen, and the meeting by no more than 15-17 people, optional and I don’t have to 2. Include the author’s name, agenda open on the other. including the school adminis- wash dishes before logging on. name of publication, date It was relaxed. And I was trators and board members. In of publication and category entered (column or editorial).

3. Only ONE editorial and/or Excerpts from 2020 Editorial Sweepstakes Winner (February 2020) ONE column per writer per month will be accepted. DAVID STRINGER, THE LAWTON CONSTITUTION 4. All entries for the previous month must be at the OPA Legislature must stop police bill office by the 15th of the current month. Hey, you there! I think you person who the peace officer cult to know where to start. But, might run that stop sign in the reasonably suspects is commit- let’s start with probable cause, 5. Winning entries will be next block, so I’m going to pull ting, has committed or is about the generally accepted condi- reproduced on the OPA you over, ask for your ID and, to commit a violation” of state or tion that gives law enforcement website at www.OkPress.com. if I’m not satisfied with your municipal criminal laws or ordi- a reason to question you if they answers, I’m going to hold you nances. It’s the “about to com- see you doing something inap- Entries must for questioning.” mit” part that gives us pause. propriate. This takes probable have been previously Ridiculous? Sure. But that’s In fact, it does way more cause and tosses it out like yes- published in print. the gist of a measure that moved than that. This is an example of terday’s political promises. out of the House Judiciary Com- a horrible proposal that sacrific- Fortunately, Rande Worthen, Contest open to mittee in Oklahoma City earlier es Constitutional freedoms and R-Lawton, was one of the more all OPA member this month. Fortunately, one of panders to a reactionary side rational representatives who newspapers. our local representatives had most of us fall victim to at some tried to stop this bill in commit- Although Oklahoma Natural Gas the good sense to try to stop it. point. But laws aren’t supposed tee. A former prosecutor, we Company selects representative You never know what cra- to support our reactionary bias- assume Worthen is supportive contest winners’ work for use ziness will come out of Lin- es. They’re supposed to rep- of law and order, yet he voted in this monthly ad, the views coln Boulevard in Oklahoma resent our thoughtful, cautious no. We applaud that vote. Unfor- expressed in winning columns and City when the Legislature is in instincts, knowing the long-term tunately, the bill still passed out editorials are those of the writers session. HB 3359 authored by consequences. of committee 10-6. and don’t necessarily reflect the Rep. David Smith, R-McAlester, There are so many things Company’s opinions. proposes police “may stop any wrong with this bill it’s diffi- June 2021 | The Oklahoma Publisher The Oklahoma 2021 | June 24