The Daily News would like to thank the people and communities in our part of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and northeastern Wisconsin for allowing us to tell their stories through words and photographs.

After trying to chronicle a pandemic year of challenges, the Daily News has drawn a number of awards in two state newspaper contests for 2020.

In the Michigan Associated Press Media Editors Awards, The Daily News in Division 1 received third place in General Excellence. In individual categories, the newspaper earned:

— First place, feature writing, Terri Castelaz;

— First place, editorial writing, Betsy Bloom;

— First place, headline writing;

— Second and third place, feature photo, Ron Deuter for “Iron County Moose” and Betsy Bloom for “Pretty Cold.”

— Second place, digital presence;

— Third place, business writing, Betsy Bloom;

— Third place, column, Sue Killian;

— Third place, sports column, Matthew “Sweets” McCarthy.

In the Michigan Press Association’s 2020 Better Newspaper Contest, The Daily News was honored in Class C for:

— First place, special section, “Remembering Burt Angeli,” a compilation of comments, tributes and reaction to the April 9, 2020, death of the longtime Daily News sports journalist.

— Second place, best editorial, Betsy Bloom.

— Third place, special section, Logging Today.

— Third place, feature photo, Betsy Bloom, “Family portrait.”

— Honorable mention, feature story, Theresa Proudfit, “A father for Christmas.”