Competing against a number of larger publications, The Daily News was a finalist for Newspaper of the Year in the 2023 Michigan Press Association Better Newspaper Contest.

The Daily News earned 11 individual awards, including first place for Best Digital Presentation for wwwironmountaindailynews.com and the newspaper’s Facebook page.

Managing Editor Betsy Bloom earned first place for Best Editorial, “Universal pre-K would be a plus for Michigan,” and third place for Best Columnist for Northwoods Notebook.

Terri Castelaz, staff writer, placed second in the Public Service Award category for “Fighting against FTD.” This award, according to MPA, recognizes “a distinguished example of meritorious public service by a newspaper or newspaper individual that has made a significant contribution to the betterment of their community.”

Castelaz’s entry was a two-part series shedding light on frontotemporal dementia, a rare brain disease.

Jerry DeRoche, sports writer, received second place in Sports Writing for “IM rallies from 21-point deficit against Evart” and third place in Sports Feature for “‘Am I dying?’ Norway student battles against ‘long-haul’ COVID.”

Jim Anderson, news editor, placed third in Government/Education News for “Groveland Mine Solar offers local property tax guarantees.”

In the category of Special Section, The Daily News received two honors — second place for Continental Cup Ski Jumping and third place for Hunting Season 2022.

Staff awards were earned as well for Best Newspaper Design, second place; and Best Page or Pages Design, honorable mention.

The contest was judged by members of the Pennsylvania Press Association. The Daily News was placed in Class C for daily newspapers with a circulation of 5,001 to 11,000. The contest period was from Aug. 1, 2022, through July 31, 2023.

Newspaper of the Year in Class C was the Ludington Daily News.

“It is a rare moment in our profession where we allow ourselves to reflect and experience something akin to satisfaction for a job well done,” said Wes Smith, MPA past president and group publisher of View Newspaper Group. In a news release announcing the contest results, Smith added, “Congratulations!”

“Anyone in this business today is in it, not for the kudos, but because of the passion and desire to serve our readers, our advertisers and our communities,” he said. “For us, the work is the reward.”