CONTEST
WNPA Better Newspaper Contest
Some good-natured competition shines a light on the great work our journalists, designers, ad sales teams and publishers do year-round to bring vital news to their communities. We celebrate every year, announcing winners at our fall convention. The BNC opens for submissions in the spring and is open to WNPA member papers.
PAY YOUR SUBMISSION FEE HERE
The 2026 Better Newspaper Contest is OPEN for Submission!
Get your best work out! The 2026 Better Newspaper Contest is open for submissions! Please download, review, and follow the relevant rules for any category. Know that the General Excellence category is open, with no entry fee, to all newspapers who are WNPA members.
April 8: Begin submitting entries on BetterBNC.com
May 4: Deadline for regular entries and General Excellence (NOTE: DEADLINE EXTENDED TO 9 PM, THURSDAY, MAY 7)
June 1: Deadline for tourism special section entries only
Jun 3 -24: Judging period
Oct 2 -3: Winners announced at WNPA Convention
2026 BNC Overall Instructions
2026_WNPA_BNC_Overall_Instructions_.pdf
2026_WNPA_CONTESTANT_INSTRUCTIONS.pdf
2026_WNPA_ADVERTISING_DIVISION_RULES.pdf
2026_SPECIAL_SECTIONS_DIVISION_RULES.pdf
2025
General Excellence Winners 2025
Group 1
- First Place: The Chronicle
- Second Place: Sunnyside Sun
- Third Place: Camas-Washougal Post Record
Group 2
- First Place: Sequim Gazette
- Second Place: Whitman County Gazette
- Third Place: Bainbridge Island Review
Group 3
- First Place: Chinook Observer
- Second Place: The Newport Miner
- Third Place: Omak-Okanogan County Chronicle
Group 4
- First Place: Cascadia Daily News
- Second Place: The Reflector
- Third Place: The Wenatchee World
Ad Of the Year Winners, 2025
Groups 1 & 2
- First Place: Brenda Jorgens, Bainbridge Island Review
- Second Place: Daralyn Anderson, Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber
- Third Place: MyKenzie Bennett, Methow Valley News
Groups 3 & 4
- First Place: David Boehmke, The Reflector
- Second Place: Melanie Fair, Lynden Tribune
- Third Place: Louise Mugar, The Northern Light
Feature Writer Of the Year Winners, 2025
Groups 1 & 2
- First Place: Matthew Nash, Sequim Gazette
- Second Place: Isabella Loy, Stanwood Camano News
- Third Place: Ray Miller-Still, The Courier Herald
Group 3
- First Place: Kira Erickson, South Whidbey Record
- Second Place: Gordon Weeks, Shelton-Mason County Journal
- Third Place: Bill Helm, Lynden Tribune
Group 4
- First Place: Chris Rurik, Key Peninsula News
- Second Place: Bailey Jo Josie, Renton Reporter
- Third Place: Eddie Macsalka, Key Peninsula News
Sports Writer Of the Year Winners, 2025
Groups 1 & 2
- First Place: Michael Dashiell, Sequim Gazette
- Second Place: Rick Lewis, Methow Valley News
- Third Place: Dylan Wilhelm, The Chronicle
Groups 3 & 4
- First Place: Eddie Macsalka, Key Peninsula News
- Second Place: Joe Kramer, Lynden Tribune
- Third Place: Patrick Webb, Chinook Observer
News Writer Of the Year Winners, 2025
Groups 1 & 2
- First Place: Aspen Anderson, Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber
- Second Place: Ray Miller-Still, The Courier-Herald
- Third Place: Isabella Loy, Stanwood Camano News
Groups 3 & 4
- First Place: Charlotte Alden, Cascadia Daily News
- Second Place: Kienan Briscoe, Lynnwood Times
- Third Place: Annie Todd, Cascadia Daily News
Photographer Of the Year Winners, 2025
Groups 1 & 2
- First Place: Roger Harnack, Cheney Free Press
- Second Place: Steve Mitchell, Methow Valley News
- Third Place: Matthew Streusel, Whitman County Gazette
Groups 3 & 4
- First Place: Cade Barker, The Reflector
- Second Place: David Welton, South Whidbey Record
- Third Place: Lloyd Mullen, Port Townsend & Jefferson County Leader
Find the Full List of Winners in our Winners Booklet.
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