Pine Knot News staff members brought home a total of 23 awards from last week's Minnesota Newspaper Association (MNA) convention, including six first-place wins.
One of the youngest papers in the MNA – although named to honor one of Cloquet's oldest papers – the Pine Knot News published its first paper in October 2018 after its five owners chipped in money to get it started. In the years since the paper's inception, it has consistently been one of the top weekly winners in the Better Newspaper Contest sponsored by MNA. Newspapers compete as weekly or multiday publications and by circulation class for most awards. The Pine Knot is now competing in the 1,500-to-3,000 circulation class.
"It's great to be recognized by your peers, and even better to hang out, share ideas and talk to other writers and photographers about the joys and challenges of the job," said Pine Knot editor Jana Peterson. "But we are also super-grateful to have the support of so many readers who appreciate having a high-quality local newspaper with unique content. We wouldn't be here without them."
Peterson won first place for explanation of newspaper operations or ethics – a special award category between all daily and weekly newspapers – for a column she wrote about the work local newspapers do to report responsibly on their community and how democracy needs people who aren't too lazy to read their local paper.
The Pine Knot took home three other special awards.
. Best Use of Social media, second place, Ivan Hohnstadt, for promotion of the West End Celebration in 2023.
. Herman Roe editorial writing award, second place, Brady Slater, for an editorial on Carlton's switch to a four-day school week. The judge commented: "Well-written piece that tackles the fact that sometimes things are for the best in our communities even if people don't like how a decision was reached."
. Government/public affairs reporting, second place, Brady Slater, for his series of stories covering the Moose Lake decision to eliminate the police department. "This entry contained several stories on a controversial topic, for sure, and provided fair, balanced and thorough coverage. Among the best entries here, for sure. It was a toss-up for first place," wrote the judge.
The Pine Knot won four awards given to the publication as a whole, taking third place in General Reporting ("Interesting stories, good writing, good variety," the judge said), second place in Sports Reporting ("Well-presented coverage"), second place in Use of Photography as a Whole and first place in Headline Writing. "Shows how strong headlines and strong art can really work together," the judge commented. Peterson said Mike Creger really deserves that award as he writes the lion's share of the headlines.
The Pine Knot News swept the sports story category in its circulation class, with Brady Slater taking first place for his "Deer hunt is definitely hit and miss" story. "Interesting story on the dwindling deer numbers," wrote the judge. "Well-organized story with many points of view and useful statistics. I'm not a hunter, but stayed with the story till the very end."
Second place for sports story went to Brady Slater and Mike Creger for their "Coach reflects on sting of state loss" story on the quarterfinal loss that saw an undefeated Esko football team end its 2023 season. Judge's comment: "Good follow-up story on a heartbreaking loss. Very effective use of quotes to get a true sense of the hurt the coach was feeling days later."
Peterson took third place for a story "Making do, minus the snow" on the woes of weather and the Nordic ski season in 2023.
Other sports writers got love in the contest too, especially Kerry Rodd, who is the backbone of the Pine Knot sports section.
"The talents of the Pine Knot's main sports writer and other freelance writers was definitely reflected in the second place win for overall sports reporting," Peterson said.
More bling
What follows is a list this year's other individual wins and judges' comments (when given) below:
. Human Interest story, third place, Jana Peterson, for "A funny, caring friend," a profile story about shooting victim Shellby Trettel. Judge's comment: "Heartbreaking – really solid piece to go along w/ a hard news story. What a loss, and this was shown in great detail."
. Human Interest story-News feature, second place, Brady Slater, for "Broadband buildout begins." Judge's comment: I loved the anecdotal lead to this story. It really drew me into this well-written story about an important but traditionally under-reported topic in rural communities – reliable access to high-speed internet. I appreciated the many voices that the reporter included. The result was a multifaceted story about how public policy can improve the everyday lives and livelihoods of people. Congratulations!"
. Business story, second place, Jana Peterson, for a story on the closing of Sunnyside Healthcare Center. Judge's comment: "The reporter did a good job covering all of those involved: staff and patient family members. Adding the history of the center, as well as how the administrators will work to help place staff and patients was a nice touch."
. Business profile, first place, Jana Peterson, for a story on Pinewood, Inc., a local nonprofit that offers employment and day support services to adults (over 18) with intellectual or developmental disabilities. Judge's comment: "A lovely piece about important programming for members of the community who are disabled."
. Arts & Entertainment story, third place, Jana Peterson, for a Q-and-A with Social Animals frontman Dedric Clark. Judge's comment: "Excellent. I wish I could give out more firsts and seconds. You weave a great story and I like the Q&A approach. You make this a fun piece to read. Bravo."
. Hard news, coverage of court/crime, first place, Jana Peterson, for "It's never OK to murder, even if you're doing it to help" about an alleged mercy killing. Judge's comment: "This story raises big moral questions about whether it's ever justifiable to end someone's suffering, even if it's done out of love or compassion. But it also delves into the dynamics of their relationship and his motivations, which adds another layer of complexity. From the very beginning, I felt punched in the gut, and that emotional impact stayed with me through the end. It's definitely thought-provoking and leaves you questioning the boundaries of law and morality. Excellent work"
. Columnist, second place, Parnill Thill, for his Notes from the Small Pond columns. About the column "Horatio's Witness," the judge said: "Parnell Thill captures the hurry of trying to get the right everything for a family photo, a photo they will always treasure. Twenty years later, in the same spot, a beautiful dove took them back to that memory to capture the readers' heart strings. Strong great writing, beautifully expressed."
. Photography sports photo, first place, Dave Harwig, for a photo of a Cloquet softball player making the catch. Judge's comment: "Spot on, sharp. Just an awesome moment and the girl's focus and expression is super captivating."
. Photography, portrait and personality, third place, Mike Creger, for a Barnum firefighter's daughter throwing candy. Judge's comment: "Very nice natural moment capture."
. Photography news photo, third place, Jana Peterson, for a back-to-school photo featuring a little girl waving goodbye as she walks away. Judge's comment: "Genuine and such an amazing capture."
. Online Advertising, second place, Ivan Hohnstadt and Peggy Day, for a Cloquet public schools Kindergarten Roundup ad.
. Advertising campaign, second place, Ivan Hohnstadt and Peggy Day, for the Burger Shoes ad series. Judge's comment: "It's always great to get a customer to do a variety of advertising. Keeps it interesting!"
Note: Story and photo republished, with permission, from the Friday, February 7 edition of Pine Knot News.
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