FJN Wins Three National Awards

The Fairbury Journal-News has received national recognition for both advertising and news content at the National Newspaper Association’s (NNA) convention, which was held over the weekend in Omaha. Originally founded in 1885 as the National Editorial Association, the NNA is a trade organization that protects and promotes community newspapers.Awards were handed out Friday evening, September 27, 2024, and FJN took home three. AdvertisingFJN’s long-time Operations Manager, Jennifer Lewis, won first place for her holiday-themed ad, “Merry Crispness.” One judge commented, “Very clever and certainly eye-catching. Fun ad, with a great play on words!” Investigative ReportingFJN News Editor Gordon Hopkins won first place for investigative or in-depth reporting with his series, “Toxic Workplace,” which exposed how a company contracted with the City of Fairbury to purchase equipment from the now-defunct municipal power plant and left without paying, along with leaving the building contaminated with asbestos. The stories also revealed that Fairbury Mayor Spencer would not answer a number of questions and also objected to FJN questioning city staff. A judge wrote, “Awesome series about a dangerous scam artist, sounds like the mayor is a creep as well. Exactly the kind of non-emotional investigative reporting that we are made for.” Freedom of InformationThe editor also won third place for Freedom on Information for his story, “Shakeup On Jansen Village Board,” which explained the circumstances under which multiple board members resigned. The judge’s comments said, “As question after question emerged about improprieties this writer got his teeth into the story like a tiger refusing to let go fueled by the people’s right to know. Solid demonstration he knew the players and was determined to stand by his responsibility to readers. Congratulations.”

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