The Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun newspaper placed first, second or third in 17 Better Newspaper Contests for the Iowa Newspaper Association. The newspaper also placed third in general excellence in Class II newspapers due to the number of overall awards the newspaper earned this year.

“It was a terrific year for the Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun, with many on staff receiving awards for their work, including Ryan, Joel, Heidi and myself,” said editor Nathan Countryman.

In first place, the newspaper earned a repeat win in excellence in editorial writing for editor Nathan Countryman, best special section advertising by Heidi Owen, and best advertising for a community special or event.

In second place, the newspaper had best editorial pages, best sports section, best special section in editorial (Progress 2024), best headline writing, best newspaper website, best news story “Writing for a Different Audience” by Nathan Countryman, best sports photo by Joel Kellar (Lisbon state softball), best news feature photo by Joel Kellar (Sauerkraut Days bathtub races), best ad featuring grocery/food or entertainment by Heidi Owen, best ad featuring miscellaneous by Heidi Owen and best special section advertising by Heidi Owen.

In third place, the newspaper had best coverage of business, best sports feature story “Dix taking aim at state crown” by Ryan Suchomel and best continuing coverage (Mount Vernon schools insurance and budget issues).

Iowa City’s The Daily Iowan was named Iowa Newspaper Association’s 2025 “Newspaper of the Year.” The award was announced during the association’s Awards Ceremony on February 6. Sister publication Solon Economist had a great night, receiving 30 first, second or third place finishes and placing first in general excellence in Class I. The Daily Iowan was also a first in general excellence in Class V.

Presentations were made to winners of the 2025 Iowa Better Newspaper Contests, which the Kansas Press Association judged.

Approximately 3,200 entries in dozens of categories were judged by class, based on circulation. Class I is for newspapers published once a week with 755 circulation and under, Class II is for newspapers published once a week with circulation 756 to 1,260, Class III is for newspapers published once a week with 1,261 circulation and above, Class IV newspapers published more than once a week 3,750 and under; Class V newspapers published more than once a week 3,751 and above circulation.