Improving upon its improvements, The News Courier earned a second, and coveted, consecutive first-place “Most Improved” award from the Alabama Press Association during its June 29, 2024, Better Media Awards banquet.
“The team at The News Courier continues to strive daily to serve our readers by putting out the very best newspaper they can, and this second-in-a-row win for ‘most-improved’ attests to that,” said Tom Mayer, Courier GM and editor. “I’m especially proud of our staff because this first-place award comes to the top newspaper in the state in our division — and that division is the one most newspapers in the state compete.”
Beyond that top honor, the Courier also earned eight other APA awards for its editorial and advertising efforts. Those efforts include a sports feature written by a former summer 2023 Courier editorial intern, Justin Travis. Travis joined the newsroom as a full-time reporter in April.
Other awards include:
— First place for Best Lifestyle/Family Pages by staff.
— Second place for Best In-Paper Promotion of Newspaper for “150 Years” by Glenda Smith, Heather Casillas and Angie Christopher.
— Second place for Best Use of Humor for “March Madness” by Glenda Smith, Heather Casillas and Angie Christopher.
— Third place for Best Editorial Page or Section by staff.
— Third place for Best Sports Coverage by staff.
— Third place for Best Sports Feature Story by Justin Travis.
— Third place for Best Use of Video, “JNES goodbye” by C.P. Bailey.
— Third place for Best Signature Page for “Miss Merry Christmas” by Glenda Smith, Heather Casillas and Angie Christopher.
The News Courier’s parent company, Carpenter Media Group — a newspaper business with its roots in Alabama — also expressed pride for the work and results of the paper.
“We understand how important local news is for readers and supporting local communities,” said Rebecca Alexander, CMG vice president and group publisher. “That The News Courier was recognized as ‘most improved’ for serving readers better than any other newspaper in the state for its size speaks loudly to how that mission is being carried out in North Alabama.”