Straus News wins 15 awards from National Newspaper Association

Every year, newspapers across the country submit their best work in the National Newspaper Association’s Better Newspaper Contest. Winners were announced last month for the 2024 competition.

Eleven of the awards were for articles, reporting and commentary while four prizes recognized the paper’s advertising and design. Straus News, publisher of this newspaper and eight others in the tri-state-area, took home 15 awards.

“Our commitment to community journalism is not to win awards; rather, it is to provide our readers with real news about the communities they live in,” said Straus News president and publisher Jeanne Straus. “As news outlets across the country dwindle, local news matters more than ever. And that’s our commitment to readers.”

The awards

Senior reporter and deputy publisher Becca Tucker’s “Big Box Country” series on local mega-warehouses earned five awards: first place for Best Business Story and Best Feature Series; second place for Best Reporting on Local Government and Best Localized National Story; and an honorable mention for Best In-Depth Series.

In their comments, the judges said, “Controversy was handled well with this story ... superb series about this nationwide trend impacting so many areas as technology continues its advance. Each piece draws on its predecessor to strengthen every aspect featured and to make the public aware of the myriad pitfalls to weigh against the promised benefits.”

Bob and Beth Quinn’s article, “When you get a call saying your son is lying dead on the side of the road,” took first place for Best Profile Feature Story and also Best Opioid Crisis Coverage.

“Incredibly powerful piece, which hopefully serves as a direly needed warning about these unregulated substances,” the judges wrote.

Beth Quinn’s piece about reorganizing her basement - and the coaster conundrum that followed - earned first place in the Best Humorous Column category.

Senior reporter Molly Colgan’s article about PFAS levels in local water won first place in the Best Health Story category and third place in the Best Environmental Story.

The judge’s comments included, “Well written and informative with excellent use of info-graphics. Touching deftly on both the health and environmental factors that will impact the public as well as the expenditures for the situation to be addressed.”

Director of design Christina Scotti’s infographic depicting PFAS levels in local water, which accompanied Colgan’s article, took an honorable mention for best infographic.

Colgan and Tucker’s article “Too Stressful: Why some students are saying no to standardized testing” won second place in the Best Education/Literacy category.

The contest judge wrote, “Interesting story on a topic becoming more and more common. Well-researched and formulated.”

Ads and graphic designs by Scotti also earned top awards in the national contest. Her ads for Industry Restaurant & Bar took first place for Best Advertising Idea and an honorable mention for Best Restaurant Ad, and the paper’s New Jersey State Fair ads earned third place for Best Series Ad Idea in color.

The judges wrote, “Attractive ads. Consistent, informative layout with eye-catching graphics.”

Colgan and graphic artist Kayla Hartigan earned a third-place award for Best Advertorial for their piece “Locals turn to Jersey Roots.”

Judges’ comments included, “This piece stands out for its elegant balance of brand narrative and editorial tone. The story is rich in customer testimonials, specific services and professional expertise. The layout is crisp and modern, with eye-catching product photography. Most importantly, it reads like a thoughtful local feature rather than a blatant ad, hitting the sweet spot of sponsored storytelling.”

Graphic desiger Megan Bowen won an honorable mention for Best Small-Page Ad for an advertisement for Jenti Jewelers in West Milford.

Judges’ comments included, “Clean looking design. Good artwork.”