Southeast Missourian takes third in national Newspaper of the Year contest

The Southeast Missourian recently won third place in the Local Media Association Newspaper of the Year contest.

According to its website, the LMA is the only not-for-profit, professional trade association specifically serving the suburban and community newspaper industry.

The Southeast Missourian finished third in the 30,000 circulation and under category, placing behind newspapers in Lawrence, Kan., and Rapid City, N.D. Both newspapers are significantly larger than the Southeast Missourian in circulation.

Judges said the Southeast Missourian provided good watchdog journalism in its coverage of the 8th District special election. They also wrote that the front pages have "a nice mix of local coverage. Nice to see an emphasis on local business on Page one. Local coverage is solid throughout government."

Judges also complemented the records page, a mix of local columnists and features, and said the "paper has a handsome design. Nice use of charts."

According to its website, LMA contests are competitive and judged by "esteemed experts in the field." This year's contest was judged by the Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute, Missouri School of Journalism in Columbia, Mo.