The New Pine Plains Herald won four awards in the 2024 New York Press Association’s Better Newspaper Contest, earning statewide recognition for its coverage of the arts, healthcare, and local government.
This year’s contest, composed of articles published in 2024, included 132 newspapers, with 2,082 entries across 68 categories. Just 280 awards were handed out during the NYPA Spring Conference, held on March 20 and 21 in Saratoga Springs. The judges were members of the Missouri Press Association.
“For an organization that is barely two years old, these awards are affirmation that we are doing what we set out to do — serve as a reliable news source for the community,” said Hank Hersch, president of the Herald’s board of directors. “Much of the credit goes to our managing editor, Patrick Grego, who hit the ground running a year ago with great ideas and a tireless commitment to quality journalism. This is also a tribute to our staff of volunteers, four of whom received well-deserved recognition from the NYPA.”
The Herald took first place among small newspapers in Coverage of the Arts for stories by Grego and contributors Lenora Champagne, R.A. Hermans, and Peter Klebnikov. One judge praised the team for “tremendous writing on a variety of arts topics all tied deeply to the community.”
Mary Jenkins earned second place across all divisions in Coverage of Healthcare, Sciences, and Health, for her reporting on EMS services, local pharmacies and disease. “Could have nearly flipped a coin on first and second place,” a judge wrote. “Thoroughness evident in the articles. Solid entry!” The first prize honor went to the Times Union.
Grego also received second place in Coverage of Local Government (Division 1) for a series of articles on municipal meetings and local politics. Judges called it “good work” and added, “The community should be proud.”
In Historical, Anniversary, or Progress Edition across all divisions, the Herald’s 12-page broadsheet celebrating its second anniversary took third place. “Strong stories, well written and edited,” one judge said.
Founded in 1853, the New York Press Association exists to help news media companies across the state meet the needs of their communities by serving as the most authentic sources of information available. Its mission is to promote and encourage higher standards of journalism, defend the First Amendment, and strengthen the relationship between the public and the press through legislative efforts, educational programs, and promotional initiatives.
Founded in October 2022, the Herald is a nonprofit, free weekly digital newspaper serving the towns in the Pine Plains Central School District — Pine Plains, Ancram, Gallatin, Milan, and Stanford. Its mission is to inform, connect, and celebrate the communities it covers.
