2024 S.C. Press Association Annual Meeting & Awards Program

ANNUAL MEETING & AWARDS March 14-15, 2024 • Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center

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Welcome back to our state’s capital.

No, Charleston. You had your time as the capital. This is Columbia, the heartbeat of the Palmetto State and the most equidistant place for us to gather annually for our state’s Press Association meeting.

106 Outlet Pointe Blvd.

Columbia, SC 29210 (803) 750-9561 scpress.org 2023 - 2024 Officers President Richard Whiting

Having emerged from the COVID-era Zoom meetings, our members have been able to enjoy honest-to-goodness face time with each other here in Columbia the past couple of years.

Changes in our industry and escalating costs have wrought change in how we conduct our meetings, too. These changes are positive ones. While other press associations in the nation have had to forego annual gatherings, Jen Madden and Randall Savely have worked hard to ensure we can yet gather as a body, celebrate each other’s accomplishments, pose for gripand-grin photos and simply enjoy the camaraderie and the opportunities for sharing war stories.

Index-Journal Greenwood Vice President, Weeklies Nathaniel Abraham Jr.

Carolina Panorama Columbia Vice President, Dailies Hal Welch The Journal, Seneca Treasurer Barbara Ball

The Voice of Blythewood and Fairfield County Immediate Past President Charles Swenson

Coastal Observer Pawleys Island Executive Committee Jane Alford

Much is now packed into what has essentially become a one-day event with some meetings and workshops that are rounded out with a single mid-day banquet that brings weekly and daily members into one room. To me, this new arrangement is logical and welcome. We are all in this profession together, aspiring to tell the stories of the communities we serve.

Committing good journalism is our common bond, so there is no need to celebrate separately.

Yes, our industry has changed and continues to change. We strive to do more with less, as it were, and while we often find ourselves wearing even more hats than before, we have this opportunity to break — even if briefly now — from the day-to-day grind and come together as one, celebrating our accomplishments. Here, today, we are validated by our peers in another state. And doesn’t that feel good and worthy of celebration, especially at a time when many of us are working harder and facing the outcry that we are “fake news” and “the enemy of the people?”

We might make errors and need to write corrections, but we are hardly fake news. We reflect the communities we serve and we are the very best tellers of our communities’ news.

Moreover, in our watchdog journalistic efforts, we are the friends, not the enemy, of the people as we seek to keep them well-informed with fairness and equity.

The Lancaster News Kyle Osteen

The Sumter Item Autumn Phillips

The Post and Courier Charleston Stephen Robertson

My Horry News, Conway

It’s OK to be proud of your work, especially today. Enjoy the celebration and commit to continuing to do the good and necessary work you do.

Remember this. Good journalism is not a job. Good journalism is a calling. You have been called.

Sincerely,

Jonathan Vickery

The People-Sentinel Barnwell Co-Executive Directors Jen Madden Randall L. Savely

Richard Whiting Executive Editor, Index-Journal SCPA President

SCHEDULE | THURSDAY, MARCH 14 3 – 5 p.m.

Executive Committee Meeting SCPA Offices

5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Opening Reception Bierkeller | 600 Canalside St., Suite 1009, Columbia, SC 29201

Join us at Columbia's riverfront brewery and biergarten for a casual reception featuring great German beer (wine and other drinks, too), authentic German snacks and lots of fun! Come mingle with SCPA's staff, Executive Committee, members and Annual Meeting sponsors! Make sure to invite your newsroom friends for a night of Gemütlichkeit on the banks of the Congaree River! Bierkeller is family and pet friendly if you'd like to bring them along, too!

Dinner on your own You may wish to stick around Bierkeller for a traditional German dinner, but check out the following page for other restaurant and bar recommendations in the Vista!

MEETING INFO VISIT THE REGISTRATION DESK: • Pick up a program, your nametag and other goodies!

• Find out where to go... Most sessions are in Lexington A and the Awards Celebration Luncheon is in Richland.

• Ask questions about SCPA services like press IDs, SLED checks, how to sign up for the weekly eBulletin newsletter and more!

IN THE PREFUNCTION AREA: • Meet our awesome sponsors by visiting their tables!

• Browse the winners exhibit. Can't find your wins? All winners are displayed. Ask an SCPA staff member to help!

• Take photos with your awards. Make sure to tag us!

BEVERAGES: The coffee and water station is in Lexington A, the location of our training sessions and business meeting.

WI-FI: • Connect to CMCC Guest • Wait for a pop-up login page (If splash page does not appear, type gateway01.cmcchotspot.com in your web browser.)

• Select General Plan - Free and Continue • You will then be connected!

SCHEDULE | FRIDAY, MARCH 15 Friday's events will be held at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center, located at 1101 Lincoln St., Columbia, SC 29201.

8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Registration, Sponsor Tables and News Contest Winners Exhibits Open Lexington-Richland Prefunction

8:30 – 10:30 a.m.

Ball

Independent/Family-Owned Newspaper Breakfast Roundtable Lexington B

This ticketed event is the time for key leaders and owners of the Palmetto State’s family-owned and independent newspapers to come together to connect, share and learn from each other, as well as discuss the unique business issues that family-run newspapers face. The programming and robust discussions will re-energize you and help you plan for your newspaper’s future.

Hensley

10:45 – 11 a.m.

SCPA Business Meeting & Election of Officers Lexington A

Join SCPA for a brief update on legal/FOI, membership and financial matters. In addition to electing officers, SCPA members will vote on amending the Constitution to allow online publication members.

11 – 11:45 a.m.

Punching Above Your Weight How to do knockout accountability work in smaller newsrooms

Jenkins

Lexington A SC Investigates is a new nonprofit providing free tools to journalists who are producing accountability and investigative work in today's challenging media landscape. Panelists include: • Barbara Ball, publisher of The Voice of Blythewood and Fairfield County, who exposed money laundering and public corruption in her Midlands town even as the mayor targeted her.

• Matt Hensley, editor of The Post and Courier Spartanburg, formerly of Aiken Standard and Greenwood’s Index-Journal, who revealed questionable spending by Lander University’s nonprofit and teamed up with The Post and Courier to show how officials at a governor’s school flouted state purchasing and ethics rules.

• Travis Jenkins, editor of The News and Reporter in Chester, who uncovered a county supervisor trafficking meth and a sheriff stealing from his deputies.

• Moderated by Gina Smith, founder of SC Investigates and projects editor at The State, The Island Packet, The Beaufort Gazette and The Sun News

Noon – 2:30 p.m.

Awards Celebration Banquet S.C. Journalism Hall of Fame Induction

Smith

Bender

Richland Ballroom This ticketed luncheon event will showcase the Palmetto State's commitment to outstanding journalism by honoring the 2023 winners of the Daily, Weekly, Monthly and Associate/Individual Member Contests! We will induct our 2024 Hall of Fame recipient, Judith Mundy Burns of the Index-Journal.

2:45 – 3:45 p.m.

Counselors Off the Cuff Lexington A

Muller

Following the Awards Banquet, you don't want to miss our annual legal update. Join our panel of media law experts who will offer a no-holds-barred discussion on the legal, First Amendment and open government issues you're facing. Featuring Attorneys Taylor Smith, Jay Bender and Carl Muller.

Following the session, please join us for a martini (or drink of choice) next door at Liberty Taproom to celebrate Jay Bender, who has served as SCPA's attorney for 40 years! Your first drink is on us!

Smith

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MOTOR SUPPLY CO. BISTRO 920 Gervais St., 803-256-6687 motorsupplycobistro.com Fine dining, menu changes

BIERKELLER (Opening Reception) 600 Canalside St., Suite 1009 (803) 338-1599 bierkellercolumbia.com Riverfront German biergarten

GRILL MARKS 711 Gervais St., 803-661-8932 grillmarks.com Gourmet burgers and milkshakes

OLD CHICAGO PIZZA & TAPROOM 802 Gervais St., 803-252-3100 oldchicago.com Salads, calzones, pizzas and paninis

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THE OYSTER BAR 1123 Park St., 803-799-4484 oysterbarcolumbia.com A true old-fashioned oyster bar

KAMINSKY’S DESSERT CAFE 930 Gervais St., 803-550-9979 kaminskys.com Desserts, specialty coffees and drinks

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LIBERTY TAP ROOM (Happy Hour with Jay Bender) 828 Gervais St., 803-461-4677 libertytaproom.com Beer, steaks, chicken and burgers

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LONGHORN STEAKHOUSE 902 Gervais St., 803-254-5100 longhornsteakhouse.com Steaks, seafood and chicken M VISTA 701-C Lady St., 803-255-8878 miyos.com, Asian grill

COLA’S RESTAURANT 1215 Assembly St. 803-771-2353 colasrestaurant.com Fine dining

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South Carolina Press Association

-30In memory of those we’ve lost over the past year: Peter Cooper | Dec. 6, 2022 | Former General Assignment Reporter, Herald-Journal Murray Glenn | Jan. 13, 2023 | Former Reporter, Herald-Journal Kathleen Maria Vereen Dayton | April 12, 2023 | Former Reporter, The Sun News William Davis “Bill” McDonald | April 23, 2023 | Retired Reporter and Columnist, The State Brett Borton | May 30, 2023 | Former Sports Editor, The Island Packet Marion "Mac" J. Livingston | June 6, 2023 | Retired Pressman, The Newberry Observer James Edward Bobo Sr. | June 30, 2023 | Publisher, The Community Informer News Charles "Charlie" deV. Williams | July 11, 2023 | Retired Business Editor, City Editor, Metropolitan Editor, State News Editor, Sports Reporter, The News & Courier; Retired Business Reporter, The Post and Courier Julia C. Aldridge | July 20, 2023 | Former Writer, The Link Warren D. Wheat | July 23, 2023 | Former Governance and National Editor, The State William Pressley Steele Jr. | Aug. 31, 2023 | Former Reporter, Aiken Standard; Former Reporter, The Herald; Former Reporter, The State Jane Clute | Sept. 14, 2023 | Former News Reporter, Features Writer, Columnist and Lifestyles Editor, The Evening Herald Eric Boynton | Oct. 6, 2023 | Former Sports Writer, Herald-Journal Larry D. Smith | Oct. 21, 2023 | Owner, Publisher and Editor, The Community Times, The Times Upstate and The Coastal Chronicles Warner Miller Montgomery, Ph.D. | Nov. 24, 2023 | Co-owner and Past President of The Columbia Star William "Bill" "The Coach" King Mitchell | Nov. 28, 2023 | Retired Sports Writer, The State; Former Freelance Writer, High School Sports Report and The Associated Press Will Lester | Feb. 7, 2024 | Reporter and Editor, The Associated Press; Sports Editor, The Lancaster News; Reporter and News Editor, The Columbia Record and The State Lou Krasky | Feb. 8, 2024 | SC-based Photographer, The Associated Press

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HALL OF FAME The S.C. Journalism Hall of Fame was established in 1973 to recognize and honor men and women who have excelled in their craft and made significant contributions to journalism and their communities. Eighty newspaper journalists – from the 1700s to the present – have been chosen by their peers for this recognition. The S.C. Hall of Fame began in 1972 when SCPA President William L. Kinney Jr., of Bennettsville, acting on a suggestion from Secretary-Manager Reid H. Montgomery, set in motion activities that led to the establishment of a S.C. Press Association Hall of Fame.

1973: Elizabeth Timothy (-1757) South Carolina Gazette

1983: Wood Davidson Grist (1865-1925) Yorkville Enquirer; Atlanta Constitution

1993: Hubert Duvall Osteen (1904-1987) The Item, Sumter

1973: Francis W. Dawson (1840-1899) The Charleston Mercury; The Charleston News; The News and Courier, Charleston

1983: Hall Thomas McGee (1889-1963) Charleston Evening Post; The News and Courier, Charleston 1983: Edmund A. Ramsaur (1925-1976) The Greenville News; Greenville Piedmont

1993: Miles Benjamin McSweeney (1855-1909) The Ninety-Six Guardian; Hampton County Guardian

1974: Narciso G. Gonzales (1858-1903) The State; The News and Courier; Charleston Journal of Commerce 1974: Bony Hampton Peace (1874-1934) Carolina Spartan, Spartanburg; The Greenville News; Greenville Piedmont 1974: Peter Timothy (1721-1782) South Carolina Gazette 1974: Aaron Smith Willington (1781-1862) The Charleston Courier 1975: William Watts Ball (1868-1952) The Evening Post; The Greenville News; Laurens Advertiser; The News and Courier; The State 1975: Arthur B. Jordan Sr. (1876-1956) The Dillon Herald 1975: James Rion McKissick (1884-1944)Times-Democrat, Richmond, Va.; The Greenville News; Greenville Piedmont 1976: Hubert Graham Osteen (1870-1955) Watchman and Southron, Sumter; Sumter Daily Item 1976: Edward Hope DeCamp (1865-1952) The Gaffney Ledger; The State, Columbia 1977: Arthur M. Manigault (1851-1924) The Evening Post, Charleston 1978: Harold C. Booker Sr. (1888-1960) Spartanburg Herald-Journal; Greenville Piedmont; The Sumter Daily Item; The Columbia Record 1978: Charles Oscar Hearon (1876-1959) The Spartanburg Herald; Herald, Bristol, Va.; Times, Richmond, Va. 1979: Robert Lathan (1881-1937) The News and Courier, Charleston; The State, Columbia; Asheville (NC) Citizen; 1924 Pulitzer Prize Winner 1980: Tom O’Connor (1902-1969) Hampton County Guardian; Allendale County Citizen

1983: James Loyal Sims (1914-1962) The Times and Democrat, Orangeburg 1984: James Edward Chaffin (1913-1977) The Index-Journal, Greenwood 1984: Ambrose E. Gonzales (1857-1926) The State, Columbia; The News and Courier, Charleston 1984: William E. Gonzales (1866-1937) The State, Columbia 1985: William R. Bradford Sr. (1874-1957) The Fort Mill Times; The State, Columbia 1985: Elbert Herman Aull (1857-1929) The Newberry Herald and News 1985: Ernest Allen Cutts (1912-1980) Charleston Evening Post 1986: Noah Graham Osteen (1843-1936) The Item, Sumter 1986: Phil Buchheit (1907-1978) Spartanburg Herald-Journal 1986: R. Frank Mundy (1915-1982) The Index-Journal, Greenwood 1986: Samuel L. Latimer Jr. (1891-1975) The State, Columbia 1986: Harry L. Watson (1876-1956) The Index-Journal, Greenwood 1987: Robert Melvin Hitt (1886-1963) Bamberg Herald 1987: John Kelly Sisk (1913-1980) Greenville News-Piedmont 1987: Wilson William Harris (1889-1955) The Clinton Chronicle 1987: William Light Kinney (1902-1983) Marlboro Herald-Advocate, Bennettsville

1995: Thomas Pettigrew Davis (1926-1990) Georgetown Times 1995: James A. Rogers (1905-1990) Florence Morning News 1996: William D. Workman (1914-1990) The News and Courier, Charleston; The Greenville News; The State, Columbia 1998: Joseph F. Smoak (1936-1993) The News and Courier, Charleston; Charleston Evening Post 1998: Marcellus C. Garner (1920-1992) The Sun News, Myrtle Beach; The Myrtle Beach News; The Myrtle Beach Sun; The Field, Conway; The Horry Herald; The Loris Sentinel 1999: Reid H. Montgomery (1909-1993) The State, Columbia; The Item, Sumter; Winthrop College; University of South Carolina; South Carolina Press Association 2002: August Kohn (1868-1930) The News and Courier, Charleston 2002: Annie Laurie Mayer Kinney (1902–1999) Marlboro Herald-Advocate 2003: Annie Howell King (1893-1973) Aiken Standard 2005: William E. Rone (1926-1998) The State, Columbia 2005: Alfred B. Williams (1856-1930) News and Courier, Charleston 2007: Dr. Robert Wilson Gibbes (1809-1866) The South Carolinian 2008: Felix Gregory de Fontaine (1834-1896) Charleston Daily Courier, The South Carolinian; Daily South Carolinian; New York Herald 2009: Robert Quillen (1887-1948) Fountain Inn Tribune

1980: Louis W. Cassels (1921-1974) United Press International

1988: Talbot Patrick (1897-1980) Chicago Evening Post; The Goldsboro (NC) News-Argus; The Herald, Rock Hill

2010: Henry Timrod (1829-1867) Charleston Mercury

1981: Robert Craft Peace (1899-1968) The Greenville News

1988: Frank Wilmore Sossamon (1887-1979) The Gaffney Ledger

2011: William Gilmore Simms (1806-1870) Charleston City Gazette, Daily South Carolinian, The Phoenix

1981: George A. Buchanan (1898-1976) The Columbia Record; Dean of Journalism, USC

1989: Paul S. League (1920-1978) The Lancaster News

1982: Robert M. Hitt, Jr. (1914-1968) Bamberg Herald; Charleston Evening Post 1982: W.W. Smoak (1877-1947) Press & Standard, Walterboro

1989: Edward Manigault (1896-1983) Charleston Evening Post 1990: Edd A. Burch (1907-1985) Greer Citizen

2011: Charles H. Wickenberg Jr. (1923-2004) The State 2012: Peter Manigault (1927-2004) The News and Courier, Charleston

2012: Benjamin F. Perry (1805-1886) Greenville Mountaineer; Southern Patriot, Greenville 2012: Robert Ashe Pierce (1928-2007) The State, Columbia 2013: Col. Thomas Bissell Crews (1832-1911) The Laurensville Herald, Laurens 2014: John Miller (1744-1807) The South Carolina Gazette and Daily Advertiser 2015: Samuel A. Cothran (1915-2010) Aiken Standard and Review 2015: Wilton E. Hall (1901-1980) Anderson Independent 2016: Henry F. Cauthen Sr. (1901-1977) The State, The Columbia Record, The News & Courier 2018: Lewis Timothy (1699-1738) The South Carolina Gazette 2019: John C. Shurr (1947-2015) S.C. Associated Press Bureau Chief 2020: Ken Burger (1949-2015) The Post and Courier 2021: Dean B. Livingston (1933-2014) The Times and Democrat 2021: John Henry McCray (19101987) Lighthouse and Informer 2023: Scott Beale Hunter (1949-2018) Aiken Standard 2023: Louis C. Sossamon (1921-2019) The Gaffney Ledger 2024: Judith Mundy Burns (19472019) Index-Journal

If you have a Hall of Fame nominee, contact SCPA for eligibility and citation requirements.

Deadline to submit a 2025 Hall of Fame nomination: Dec. 6, 2024

South Carolina Press Association

Hall of

Fame Judith Mundy Burns 1947-2019 President and Publisher, Index-Journal A steel magnolia full of grace Judith Mundy Burns was raised in a newspaper world.

Her father, R. Frank Mundy, became the sole owner and publisher of The Index-Journal Co. following the deaths of his two business partners and led the paper from 1977 until his death in 1982. Mundy was succeeded as publisher by his widow, Eleanor Metts Mundy, and Judi was named president. When her mother died in 1998, Judi took the reins as publisher and president until her death in 2019.

Judi steered the Index-Journal through some significant changes as one of only a small handful of women publishers serving South Carolina newspapers.

She led the newspaper when it brought back the Saturday edition after a nearly two-decade hiatus and was at the helm when the publication changed from an afternoon to a morning newspaper. She invested in the newspaper when and where needed. When the 30-year-old Harris press her father had installed needed to be replaced to increase color capability and greatly improve reproduction, she bought a new Goss Community press in the early 2000s.

Judi was born May 2, 1947 in Greenwood, S.C., and died at age 72 on Aug. 15, 2019. Her death came six months after the newspaper celebrated its 100th year of serving the Greenwood area.

Judi graduated from Greenwood High School and was a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of South Carolina’s College of Journalism.

“Judi never gave up trying new ideas but didn’t neglect the quality of the printed newspaper,” Bill Rogers said in learning of Judi’s passing.

At the time, Rogers was executive director of the S.C. Press Association and the two worked together many years. “She was committed to her newspaper and her community,” he said.

Judi served as the Press Association’s treasurer, vice president for dailies and then as president in 2015. Despite her various roles and accomplishments, Judi was humble and modest.

When the Women’s Leadership Conference in Greenwood gave Judi the Trailblazer Award during a banquet in 2016, she asked: “What trail did I blaze?”

She told attendees her mother, Eleanor M. Mundy, was the trailblazer; she merely followed in her mother’s footsteps.

Judi was named South Carolina’s Young Woman of the Year for 1976.

She served on numerous boards and committees, including the South Carolina Festival of Flowers, March of Dimes and Cancer Society Drives.

She was involved in organizations including garden and study clubs, along with boards for colleges and universities, as well as the Cambridge Academy Board of Trustees.

The newsroom flourished thanks to her belief in and support of community journalism. The press awards the newsroom amassed with her at the helm are a testament to her leadership.

Judi did not shy away from the public’s right to information. A staunch supporter of government transparency and investigative journalism, Judi agreed to sue the state Department of Public Safety for the release of dashcam footage under South Carolina’s Freedom of Information Act. She won her case.

“Judi had a soft voice and a polite demeanor that disguised a fierce commitment to the Index-Journal and the role of a free press in our democratic society,” longtime press attorney Jay Bender, who represented the newspaper against Public Safety, said after Judi passed. “Even in a time of tight newspaper budgets, Judi was willing to fight in court to challenge instances of improper government secrecy. Her marching orders often were, ‘We can’t let them get away with that.’”

She described her role as owner of Greenwood’s daily newspaper as “a privilege and a great responsibility” in 2006 when talking about the importance of keeping the family-owned publication in the hands of locals.

ATTENDEES Jane Alford Executive Committee The Lancaster News Carolina Gateway Nathaniel Abraham Jr. Vice President - Weeklies Lancaster, SC Carolina Panorama Robert Ariail Columbia, SC Charleston City Paper Cam Adams Charleston, SC Index-Journal Greenwood, SC Sharon Bailey Patricia Abraham Carolina Panorama Columbia, SC

Seanna Adcox SC Daily Gazette Columbia, SC

S.C. Press Association Columbia, SC

ADVOCACY • SERVICE • SUPPORT

Barbara Ball Treasurer The Voice of Blythewood and Fairfield County Blythewood, SC Mac Banks The Lancaster News Lancaster, SC Tony Bartelme The Post and Courier Charleston, SC Linda Beattie The Island News Beaufort, SC Jay Bender S.C. Press Association Columbia, SC Dede Biles Aiken Standard Aiken, SC

proudly serving the Palmetto State’s newspapers since 1852

Greg Booras Creative Circle Media Solutions Dahlonega, GA John Boyette Aiken Standard Aiken, SC

ATTENDEES Andy Brack Charleston City Paper Charleston, SC Vanessa Brewer-Tyson Pageland ProgressiveJournal Pageland, SC Jessica Brodie South Carolina United Methodist Advocate Columbia, SC

Angela Brown Union County News Union, SC Anna Brown Union County News Union, SC Bobby Brown Union County News Union, SC

Martha Rose Brown The Times and Democrat Orangeburg, SC Robert Brown Union County News Union, SC Melnee Buchheit The Greer Citizen Greer, SC Phil Buchheit The Greer Citizen Greer, SC

2023-2024 SCPA PRESIDENT

S.C. Press Association Proudly Honors

Richard Whiting for His Service to the Palmetto State's Newspapers

ATTENDEES William Buchheit The Greer Citizen Greer, SC Alison Burns-Parham Index-Journal Greenwood, SC Joe Bustos The State Columbia, SC Martin Cahn Chronicle-Independent Camden, SC

Ken Campbell AdCellerant Denver, CO Norm Cannada The Journal Seneca, SC Alicia Caracciolo USC School of Journalism and Mass Communications Columbia, SC

Tommy Cardinal MyHorryNews Waccamaw Publishers, Inc. Conway, SC Kathryn Casteel The Greenville News Greenville, SC Jason Cato The Post and Courier Charleston, SC

ATTENDEES Mandy Catoe The Lancaster News Lancaster, SC

John Clayton Laurens County Advertiser Laurens, SC

Donna-Maria Conzalina The People-Sentinel Barnwell, SC

Scott Chancey Morning News Florence, SC

Ted Clifford The State Columbia, SC

Bruce Cook Union County News Union, SC

Brian Chilton PopMount Richmond, VA

Macy Cochran The Greer Citizen Greer, SC

Dale Cook Union County News Union, SC

Matthew Christian Aiken Standard Aiken, SC

Jeffrey Collins Associated Press Columbia, SC

Russell Cox Municipal Association of SC Columbia, SC

THANKS to the SCPA Foundation Smoak Fund for sponsoring this event We have some great training events planned for 2024! We would love your ideas for session topics and speakers!

Email jmadden@scpress.org to let us know what interests you!

ATTENDEES Anne Cushman Columbia, SC Gwinn Davis Gwinn Davis Media Simpsonville, SC Sandi Davis Gwinn Davis Media Simpsonville, SC Kyle Dawson Aiken Standard Aiken, SC

Elijah de Castro The People-Sentinel Barnwell, SC

St. Claire Donaghy Index-Journal Greenwood, SC

Lydia Derrick Wherry The Edgefield Advertiser Edgefield, SC

Jonathan Drew Associated Press Columbia, SC

Suzanne Detar The Daniel Island News Daniel Island, SC

Justin Driggers Morning News Florence, SC

Mary Dimitrov The Island Packet Hilton Head Island, SC

Delayna Earley The Island News Beaufort, SC

Congratulatio

202, PRESIDENT ’S CUP FOR E

First Place

The Staff at The Post and Courier

In

News Section or Special Edition: “24 hours on Folly Beach” Breaking News Reporting: “Coverage of South Carolina’s missing F-35B jet” Community Service: “Salt and Steel” Website: www.postandcourier.com

Second Place

The Staff at The Post and Courier

In

Election and Political Coverage Digital Project: “24 hours on Folly Beach”

Third Place

The Staff at The Post and Courier Sports Section or Magazine: Sports section - Jan. 29, 2023 Series of Articles: “Boom & Balance” Newspaper’s Use of Social Media

In

ons

to the s.c. press association award-winning journalists of

EXCELLENCE

ndividual First Place winners: Grace Beahm Alford Tony Bartelme Laura Bilson Jon Blau David Cloninger Jocelyn Grzeszczak

Beth Harrison Alan Hovorka Tony Kukulich Gavin McIntyre Parker Milner Adam Parker

Gene Sapakoff Cindi Ross Scoppe David Slade Henry Taylor

Lisa Justus Tony Kukulich Brandon Lockett John McDermott Gavin McIntyre Parker Milner Kalyn Oyer John Ramsey

Ali Rockett Cindi Ross Scoppe Benjamin Simon Henry Taylor Andrew J. Whitaker Warren L. Wise

Kelly Jean Kelly Brandon Lockett Gavin McIntyre Andrew Miller Kalyn Oyer Autumn Phillips John Ramsey Ali Rockett

Ema Schumer Cindi Ross Scoppe Benjamin Simon Scott Stubbs Henry Taylor Andrew J. Whitaker Warren L. Wise

ndividual Second Place winners: Laura Bilson Jon Blau Lillia Callum-Penso Kenna Coe Tom Corwin Clare Fieseler Jocelyn Grzeszczak Conor Hughes

ndividual Third Place winners: Isabel Adams Seanna Adcox Laura Bilson Tom Corwin Clare Fieseler Megan Fernandes Maura Hogan Lisa Justus

ATTENDEES Bryn Eddy The Sumter Item Sumter, SC

Terri (Alex) Feagin The Manning Times Manning, SC

Brian Garner The News & Reporter Chester, SC

Jeff Evans The Island News Lowcountry Weekly Beaufort, SC

Sonja Fox The Twin-City News Batesburg-Leesville, SC

Jenny Garner The News & Reporter Chester, SC

Sammy Fretwell The State Columbia, SC

Ashley Ghere The Voice of Blythewood and Fairfield County Edinboro, PA

Margaret Evans The Island News Lowcountry Weekly Beaufort, SC

Anna Frey Walton Press Monroe, GA

Proud to represent the South Carolina Press Association Media Law • Free Speech • First Amendment • Privacy Copyright • Government Transparency • Civil Rights

Taylor M. Smith IV, Attorney

803.779.2211 • taylor@meriwetherfirm.com • 923 Calhoun Street, Columbia

ATTENDEES Boots Gifford The Daniel Island News Daniel Island, SC

John Gogick The State Columbia, SC

Sarah Haselhorst The Island Packet Hilton Head Island, SC

Caleb Gilbert The Journal Seneca, SC

Geoffrey Hardee Blythewood, SC

Bernie Heller The Post and Courier Columbia / Free Times Columbia, SC

Lee Harter The Times and Democrat Orangeburg, SC

Mae Giorgi S.C. Press Association Columbia, SC Dionne Gleaton The Times and Democrat Orangeburg, SC

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Matthew Hensley The Post and Courier Spartanburg Spartanburg, SC

Pam Harter The Times and Democrat Orangeburg, SC

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You could make $50k this year with Premium Pages CURRENT TOPICS • Food • Home • Health • Money • Pets • Seniors

• Education • Kids & family • Travel • Gardening • Green living • Cars Bill Ostendorf, founder 401-316-3333

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• Small business • Books • Trivia, games & history • Spanish language news

Greg Booras, National Sales Director 706-600-1776

ATTENDEES Grant Hermanns Myrtle Beach, SC

Julie Holcombe The Greer Citizen Greer, SC

Alexander Hicks Alan Hovorka Herald-Journal The Post and Courier Greenville News Spartanburg/Greenville, SC Charleston, SC Stephanie Ann Hicks Spartanburg, SC Leah Hincks The Post and Courier Columbia Columbia, SC

Cary Howard Lexington County Chronicle Lexington, SC Robert Howey The Lancaster News Lancaster, SC

Hillary Hudson USC College of Information and Communications Columbia, SC Brandon Hunter The Lancaster News Lancaster, SC Emily Hunter Lancaster, SC Elizabeth Hustad The Post and Courier North Augusta/The Star North Augusta, SC

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ATTENDEES Ashley Jenkins The News & Reporter Chester, SC Mary Jenkins The News & Reporter Chester, SC Travis Jenkins The News & Reporter Chester, SC Rick Johnson The Lancaster News/ Carolina Gateway Lancaster, SC

Denise Johnston The Lancaster News Lancaster, SC

Andrea Kelley The Journal Seneca, SC

Danielle Jongewaard PopMount Richmond, VA

Jai Kim Columbia, SC

Robert Jordan Index-Journal Greenwood, SC Austin Joyce Greer, SC

Meg Kinnard Associated Press Blythewood, SC Melanie Knight The Lancaster News Lancaster, SC

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ATTENDEES Tommie Knight Lancaster, SC Kailee Kokes Lexington County Chronicle Lexington, SC Jordan Lawrence The State Columbia, SC Jason Lee The Sun News Myrtle Beach, SC

Sebastian Lee The Island Packet Hilton Head Island, SC

Nichole Livengood The News Kingstree, SC

Tami Lee Myrtle Beach, SC

Harry Logan SCPA Foundation President West Columbia, SC

Joshua Little Jefferson, SC Simeon Little Pageland Progressive Journal Pageland, SC

Michael Lollis The Journal Williamston, SC Hank Lunn S.C. Press Association Columbia, SC

WHEN PUBLIC NOTICES REACH THE PUBLIC, EVERYONE BENEFITS.

There’s no better way to notify the public than through the combination of S.C. newspapers and SCPublicNotices.com... the permanency of print paired with the accessibility of a statewide, searchable site.

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ATTENDEES Jen Madden S.C. Press Association Columbia, SC

Bristow Marchant The State Columbia, SC

Mike McCombs The Island News Beaufort, SC

Jeremi Madden Columbia, SC

Xavier Martin USC School of Journalism and Mass Communications Columbia, SC

Melissa McCoy The Manning Times Manning, SC

Kenton Makin Makin’ A Difference North Augusta, SC Alaysha Maple The Sumter Item Sumter, SC

Leigh Ann Maynard The Manning Times Manning, SC

Andy McKenna OnPremise Networks Chicago, IL Evan McKenna The Island Packet Hilton Head Island, SC

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ATTENDEES Mitchell Mercer The Lancaster News Lancaster, SC

Randy Mitchell Aiken Standard Aiken, SC

Krys Merryman SC Biz News Greenville, SC

Thad Moore The Post and Courier Charleston, SC

Donna Miley The People-Sentinel Barnwell, SC Suzanne Mims Derrick The Edgefield Advertiser Edgefield, SC

Bianca Moorman Aiken Standard Aiken, SC

Dale Morefield The Lancaster News/ Paxton Media Group Lancaster, SC Julia Moulton S.C. Press Association Columbia, SC Carl Muller Carl Muller Law Firm Greenville, SC

ATTENDEES Alex Nettles Charleston City Paper USC School of Journalism Zoe Nicholson The Post and Courier Columbia/Free Times Columbia, SC Andrew O’Byrne Leader Publishing Wagener, SC

Kyle Osteen Executive Committee The Sumter Item Sumter, SC Eddie Parham Index-Journal Greenwood, SC Lauren Pierce The Journal Seneca, SC

Hannah Oskin James Pollard MyHorryNews Waccamaw Publishers, Inc. Associated Press Columbia, SC Conway, SC

Cora Powers S.C. Press Association Columbia, SC Charles Price Index-Journal Greenwood, SC Mundy Price Index-Journal Greenwood, SC Brandon Roberts Summerville Communications Inc. Summerville, SC

SUBSCRIBE

WEEKLY EBULLETIN Your connection to industry and SCPA member news

Visit scpress.org to download a winner's badge that you can use in your newspaper, online or on social media.

ATTENDEES Matt Robertson Morning News Florence, SC Stephen Robertson Executive Committee MyHorryNews Waccamaw Publishers, Inc. Conway, SC Tonya Rodgers The Twin-City News Batesburg-Leesville, SC Bill Rogers S.C. Press Association, Retired Columbia, SC Chalmers Rogland Herald-Journal Spartanburg, SC Ken Ruinard Independent Mail Anderson, SC Randall Savely S.C. Press Association Columbia, SC Ema Schumer The Post and Courier Charleston, SC

SUNSHINE WEEK March 10-16, 2024

OPEN GOVERNMENT IS GOOD GOVERNMENT. It’s Sunshine Week, the annual celebration of access to public information. South Carolina’s Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) – also known as the Sunshine Law – shines a light on public records and open government.

It’s your right Use the FOIA to see how to know. public officials are making decisions that affect you and your community.

LEARN MORE Understand the law. Check out our Citizen’s Guide to the Freedom of Information Act. It’s available for free at scpress.org/FOI.

BROUGHT TO YOU BY THIS NEWSPAPER AND THE SOUTH CAROLINA PRESS ASSOCIATION Defending open government for 172 years

ATTENDEES Chris Segal The Sun News Myrtle Beach, SC

David Slade The Post and Courier Charleston, SC

Katherine Seigler Emma Slaven USC College of Information The Daniel Island News and Communications Daniel Island, SC Columbia, SC Gina Smith Ray Sharpe The State S.C. Press Association Columbia, SC Columbia, SC Glenn Smith The Post and Courier Bob Simmonds Charleston, SC Index-Journal Greenwood, SC

Taylor Smith S.C. Press Association Meriwether Law Columbia, SC Chris Sokoloski Coastal Observer Pawleys Island, SC Abbie Sossamon The Gaffney Ledger Gaffney, SC Cody Sossamon The Gaffney Ledger Gaffney, SC

Have your next meeting at SCPA Offices!

Whether you’re planning a large meeting, a small discussion group or a multi-topic conference, SCPA is the right choice for you!

Conveniently located off Bush River Rd. in Columbia near I-20 and I-26, SCPA offers: • 1,200 square feet of flexible meeting space • Can comfortably seat 30 classroom style • On-site A/V equipment • Wi-Fi • Ample free parking • Hospitality amenities • Catering coordination if needed • 8 person conference room

Free rentals available for SCPA members!

FOR MORE DETAILS, CONTACT JEN MADDEN: (803) 750-9561 | JMADDEN@SCPRESS.ORG

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ATTENDEES Andrew Sprague SC Biz News Charleston, SC

Scott Suchy Charleston City Paper Charleston, SC

Jeff Taylor The Post and Courier Charleston, SC

Steve Stegelin Charleston City Paper Charleston, SC

Samantha Swann Herald-Journal Spartanburg, SC

Brian Tolley The State Columbia, SC

Trey Stewart The Greer Citizen Greer, SC

Charles Swenson Coastal Observer Pawleys Island, SC

Chris Trainor The State Columbia, SC

Janel Strieter The Sumter Item Sumter, SC

Henry Taylor The Post and Courier Charleston, SC

David Tyson Pageland, SC

Communities are stronger when they have a local newspaper Support your local newspaper S.C. newspapers cover local communities better than anyone, telling stories only local journalists can. Stories that matter and impact your community. Support high-quality local journalism.

Subscribe. Advertise. Donate.

South Carolina newspapers local | credible | relevant | connected

ATTENDEES Dawn Vickery The People Sentinel Barnwell, SC

Michael Vosburg Media Mindshift Columbia, SC

Jonathan Vickery Executive Committee The People-Sentinel Barnwell, SC

Hannah Wade The Post and Courier Columbia/Free Times Columbia, SC

Patrick Villegas The Daniel Island News Daniel Island, SC

Dr. Damion Waymer College of Information and Communications University of South Carolina

Need help with training?

Let us do the heavy lifting for you.

As an association member, you have access to free, on-demand training for new journalists and freelancers.

Getting people signed up is easy. Just send their name and email address to us, and they can be up and running.

For more information and a course outline, visit earnyourpresspass.com.

earnyourpresspass.com

Hal Welch Vice President - Dailies The Journal Seneca, SC Thomas Werner The Daniel Island News Daniel Island, SC Alexandra Whitbeck The People-Sentinel Barnwell, SC

ATTENDEES Michael Whitbeck Freehold, NY Teresa Whitbeck Freehold, NY Richard Whiting President Index-Journal Greenwood, SC Wendy Whiting Greenwood, SC

Lisa Wilson The Island Packet Hilton Head Island, SC Samantha Winn The Post and Courier North Augusta/The Star North Augusta, SC Robert York The Island Packet Hilton Head Island, SC Nicole Ziege The Post and Courier Charleston, SC

Special thanks to everyone who helped judge Nebraska Press Association's Contests!

These swaps make our own contest possible.

We're so grateful for your help!

Plaque Bases SCPA has a limited number of plaque bases for your 2nd and 3rd place awards today for only $15. Visit the registration desk to purchase. After today, the cost will be $25, which includes shipping.

Reach out to SCPA if you'd like to order duplicate certificates or engraved plaques.

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We’re working hard for you, South Carolina.

Focusing on safety as our top priority Delivering historic results in service reliability Making it easier for customers to do business with us Improving the quality of life in the communities we serve Providing a clean and sustainable energy future Valuing diversity and inclusion Investing in new technology and innovation

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Congrats News Contest winners!