JUNE 28, 2025— Freelance photographer Zack Anders and columnist Jeri Shire won top recognitions from the Arkansas Press Association annual convention last Saturday as part of the eight total awards the Sun brought home from the Better Newspapers Contest.
In addition to the Best Single Feature Photo award in the smaller weekly paper category, Anders’ shot of Hogskin Holidays 4th of July Celebration won the overall Photo of the Year Award among all Arkansas newspapers. “I didn’t know until this afternoon,” Anders said Monday. “I’m truly shocked!” Publisher Larry Killian did not tell Anders that his photo from last summer had been entered in the contest.
“I took the photo with my phone,” Anders said, admitting that photography isn’t a hobby, he just takes a lot because of his Hampton storefront Events by Zachary. Killian saw the photo and asked to use it in the paper. “I never really thought of it as being an award winning thing.” Anders said.
The quality was in the composition. Judges noted that the explosions framed by pine trees and featuring the silhouettes of onlookers elevated his photo from good to great for the top honor.
Shire won Columnist of the Year in the smaller weeklies category in addition to three other awards.
“I literally gasped when that was announced!” the Tales from the Shire writer said. “Not bad for a side gig!”
Shire got first place for Best General Interest Column for “Errors and Electricity”, which was musings from the everyday life of a teacher and power outage problems. Judges noted it was “a gift to readers”.
The columnist also won first place for Best Humorous Column. “The Scenic Route” chronicled her GPS misadventure on 10 miles of isolated dirt road in the heart of kudzu country in eastern Arkansas on the way to last year’s APA convention. Judges called it “best of lot”.
She also took third place for Best Humorous Column “Testy Situation” in which she was overwhelmed with all the detailed terminology needed to help variety of students study for semester tests.
Killian’s “$3 Million Dollars” piece won second place for Best Editorial Writing. Judges said it was “causing folks to think”.
He also won second place in the Best Single News Photo contest for his dramatic photo of the old Church of Christ controlled burn.
The Tennessee Press Association judged the 1,517 total Arkansas entries of this year’s contest.
APA Photo of the Year: 4th of July Celebration & Fireworks Photo by Zach Anders
Arkansas Press Association announces winners of 2025 Better Newspaper Editorial Contest
June 28, 2025 –– Winners of the Arkansas Press Association 2025 Better Newspaper Editorial Awards were announced on Saturday, June 28 at the Tri-State Press Convention in Memphis, Tennessee.
In addition to honoring the best in Arkansas journalism in multiple size division and coverage categories, three special awards were presented.
The Arkansas Press Association Photo of the Year Award to Zach Anders of the South Arkansas Sun in Hampton for his photo, “Hogskin Holidays 4th of July Celebration”.
Ellen Kreth and Shannon Hahn of the Madison County Record in Huntsville were named as the winners of the 2025 Meredith Oakley Award.
The Meredith Oakley Award was established in memory of the former Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Associate Editor and “Voices” page editor who died in 2023 at age 72. Endowed with seed money by the Hussman Foundation, the award is presented annually for the strongest use of the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act in reporting and includes a $1,000 prize and plaque.
The 2025 Ernie Deane-Brenda Blagg Columnist of the Year award was presented to Shelley Smith of the Stone County Leader in Mountain Home for her body of work.
The Ernie Deane-Brenda Blagg Columnist of the Year award memorializes the late columnists Ernie Deane, a journalist, educator and historian who for decades wrote “The Arkansas Traveler” and “Ozarks Country,” and Brenda Blagg, whose column, “Between the Lines,” ran from 1979 until 2022. It is funded through the Ernie Deane Award Endowment, which is intended to support the Arkansas Newspaper Foundation’s charitable and educational purposes and includes a $1,000 prize and plaque.
Runners-up for the 2025 Ernie Deane-Brenda Blagg Columnist of the Year award are Jeri Shire of the South Arkansas Sun in Hampton, Steve Watts of the White County Citizen in Searcy and Gwen Faulkenberry of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette in Little Rock.
General Excellence commendation was awarded to The Helena World in the Smaller Weekly division, The Leader in Jacksonville in the Larger Weekly division, the White County Citizen in Searcy in the Smaller Daily category, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette in the Larger Daily category and the Arkansas Advocate in the Media Division.
There were 1,517 entries from newspapers and media organizations statewide in this year’s contest. All categories were judged by members of the Tennessee Press Association.
At the close of the ceremony, Hot Springs Village Voice Owner and Publisher Jennifer Allen was inducted as the 148th president of the association.
The focus of Allen’s presidency will be APA’s ongoing capital campaign — Sustaining the Foundation of Arkansas Journalism. APA Executive Director Ashley Kemp Wimberley praised Allen, who has been in the newspaper industry for 36 years, including five years as advertising director at the Hot Springs Sentinel Record and 10 years as Regional Advertising Director for GateHouse Media, now Gannett. “Jennifer has a proven track record as a strategic thinker and is highly effective at driving growth,” said Wimberley.
“I'm humbled to be the 11th woman to hold this office in our state's oldest trade association,” said Allen. “I am looking forward to supporting Arkansas journalists and news organizations as we navigate the evolving media landscape together.”
Wimberley expressed her thanks to Immediate Past President Andrew Bagley, co-owner and publisher of the Helena World, Monroe County Argus and Waldron News.
“I would like to express my gratitude to Andrew for his service to the industry during his presidency, especially during this year’s legislative session,” said Wimberley. “He was willing to drive in from Helena on a moment’s notice, and spent many late nights at the Capitol if it was required. I value him as a friend, and appreciate his dedication to the association as a board member, newspaper owner and publisher.”
The Arkansas Press Association was founded in 1883 and is the oldest trade association in the state.
Jennifer Allen inducted as 148th President of the association
