We have some news. Really, really good news.
La Conner Community News has been named a finalist in 21 categories in the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association’s Better Newspaper Contest.
Twenty-one.
For a newspaper this young, with a small staff, built by a community that believes La Conner and Swinomish deserve great local journalism, this feels pretty wonderful.
The WNPA, now in its 140th year, recognizes excellence among its 73 community print newspapers across Washington. We won’t know our actual placements until the WNPA annual conference in early October. But we know we’re finalists for everything from breaking news, government and business reporting to sports, features, photography, front-page design, photographer of the year and newspaper website.
Behind every one of those categories is a person you’ve probably met: Bill or Luisa asking one more question, Nancy waiting for the picture-perfect moment, Bob checking a fact, Emma staring at a page late at night wondering if that headline will fit.
And behind all of them is this community.
“The support in our small town for a community newspaper has been strong right from the first meeting nearly two years ago. And look where we are now!” said Lynn Beebe, chairwoman of the La Conner Community News board of directors and Swinomish resident. “Congratulations to Kari and her staff!”
Fellow board member and Channel Drive newsie Susan Macek also cheered the good news.
“Bravo to the talented team that produces our La Conner Community News! What well deserved recognition for your excellent work in this past year,” she said. “Thanks to you, local news coverage continues to thrive in our La Conner/Swinomish communities.”
Gale Fiege, a board member, retired journalist and Braves Club volunteer who lives on Pleasant Ridge, said she is “very proud of the great work of the LCCN staff. Glad the WNPA agrees.”
Board member and retired Seattle Times journalist Lynda Mapes summed up the newspaper’s first 20 months this way: “La Conner Community News has revamped itself to an essential read, and the energy and community commitment of the staff are the secret sauce that has earned them these well deserved accolades. And I have no doubt the best is yet to come.”
There’s one more piece of good news: La Conner Community News is officially a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
That matters because this journalism is made possible through donations from readers like you. 100% of your donation goes to pay for a journalist’s salary — putting reporters in our community to ask questions, attend meetings, tell stories and help us understand this remarkable place we share.
So today, celebrate with us. And then help us make the next story possible.
Please make a donation today.
Thank you, La Conner and Swinomish.
