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The Tullahoma News and other Lakeway Publishers, Inc., newspapers walked away with several awards from the Tennessee Press Association this past week, with The News picking up six awards.

The News walked away with a new piece of hardware, placing first in Local Features for Anna Coburn’s three features “Hometown photographer builds legacy on the cover and in the sky,” “In pursuit of a storm, in search of a story,” and “South Jackson Street Band: Sentimental Symphonic Sound”. The News also took third in Best Breaking News Coverage and Public Service from writer Kyle Murphy and Editor Duane Sherrill for their series on the Reading Buddies program. The News also took third in Best News Photograph, as well as fifth in Headline Writing and Best Education Reporting

“The Lakeway papers of middle Tennessee showed themselves well against fierce competition from around the state,” said Lakeway Regional Editor Duane Sherrill. “I hope that next year the Tullahoma News,as well as the other papers in our fleet, will do even better and bring home even more hardware.”

Sister paper the Manchester Times got first place in Headline Writing, as well as winning other awards like placing second for Best Feature, Best News Photo and Public Service, fourth for Editorial, Business Coverage, Makeup and Appearance and Best Digital Presentation.

Other Lakeway Publishers, Inc., award winners included the Grundy County Herald taking first place in Best News Reporting for “‘If I can’t have her no one will’” by Lisa Hobbs, as well as fourth in Best Single Feature and for Best Breaking News Coverage. The Elk Valley Times took first place in Best Personal Column, second for Best News Reporting and third for Best Digital Presentation. The Herald Chronicle took home fifth Editorials.

The University of Tennessee System and the Tennessee Press Association distributed top honors to newspapers across the state last Friday, July 19, during the 2024 Tennessee State Press Contests award luncheon held at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Franklin. The UT System has been a co-sponsor for the event since 1940.

“In an era where information spreads rapidly, the role of news organizations in providing accurate and thorough reporting is crucial,” said Randy Boyd, president of the UT System. “Tennessee is fortunate to have dedicated reporters, photographers and designers who strive to keep the public well-informed and educated. I deeply admire their commitment to truth and transparency in all that they do.”

“In an era where information spreads rapidly, the role of news organizations in providing accurate and thorough reporting is crucial,” said Randy Boyd, president of the UT System. “Tennessee is fortunate to have dedicated reporters, photographers and designers who strive to keep the public well-informed and educated. I deeply admire their commitment to truth and transparency in all that they do.”

“I would like to say congratulations, of course, to those who won recognition at the 2024 State Press Contests Awards Luncheon.” wrote TPA President Darrell Richardson. “But, above and beyond that, I would like to congratulate all who entered this year’s contests. The work that journalists continue to do throughout the Volunteer State from day to day and week to week is nothing short of miraculous.”

“Charles Primm, Melissa Tindell and all those from the University of Tennessee did an excellent job — as they always do — with the presentation. The Tennessee Press Association acknowledges and celebrates its 84-year partnership with UT in conducting the Tennessee State Press Contests, providing the plaques and certificates for winning newspapers, and the University of Tennessee’s unrivaled production of the awards presentation,” Richardson added.

Each year, reciprocal judging is done with another state’s association. This year, the New York Press Association judged 1,060 entries from 71 of the Tennessee Press Association’s 131 member newspapers and online publication members.