2025 Golden Press Card: Newspaper (Small) - East Tennessee Society of Professional Journalists

Here are the 2025 Golden Press Card winners in the Newspaper (Small) category. The entries were judged by the San Diego SPJ Pro Chapter.

SPORTS REPORTING (Newspaper – Small)

First Place
Contestant Name: BLANK Newspaper
Entry Title: Tekiela propels One Knox past Naples, into final of USL League One
Entry Credit: Matt Rankin
Links: See entry
Judge Comments: A richly detailed game day report for the hardest of hardcore fans.

PERSONAL COLUMNS/REVIEW/CRITICISM (Newspaper – Small)

First Place
Contestant Name: BLANK Newspaper
Entry Title: Fifteen Years of Blank – Matt Rankin’s Knoxville Story
Entry Credit: Brittany Norvell
Links: See entry
Judge Comments: Nicely written feature.

Second Place
Contestant Name: The Daily Times
Entry Title: A moonlight hike
Entry Credit: Shanon Adame
Links: See entry

ARTS & CULTURE REPORTING (Newspaper – Small)

First Place
Contestant Name: BLANK Newspaper
Entry Title: The Birdhouse Endures
Entry Credit: Steve Wildsmith
Links: See entry
Judge Comments: A richly reported and evocatively written feature that captures both the history and evolving identity of The Birdhouse. The narrative voice is strong and confident, with vivid imagery that brings the space to life while grounding the story in solid reporting and multiple perspectives.

Second Place
Contestant Name: BLANK Newspaper
Entry Title: Mr. Mack: 865 Forever
Entry Credit: Steve Wildsmith
Links: See entry
Judge Comments: A compelling and deeply reported profile that captures both the personal journey and cultural impact of its subject. The story balances narrative momentum with strong context about the local hip-hop scene, offering readers a clear sense of place and significance.

SERIES/PACKAGE/PROJECT WRITING (Newspaper – Small)

First Place
Contestant Name: BLANK Newspaper
Entry Title: Sounding out Big Ears
Entry Credit: Amelia Bartlett, Wayne Bledsoe, Daniel Britt, Jennifer Duncan Rankin, Bill Foster, John Flannagan, Matt Rankin
Links: See entry, See entry, See entry, See entry
Judge Comments: Great coverage of a large music festival by a scrapping small newspaper that has become a major playing in Knoxville media.

SPORTS BEAT REPORTING (Newspaper – Small)

First Place
Contestant Name: BLANK Newspaper
Entry Title: The One Knox Beat
Entry Credit: Matt Rankin
Links: See entry

FEATURE REPORTING (Newspaper – Small)

First Place
Contestant Name: BLANK Newspaper
Entry Title: The Last Chair in Burlington – At 98 years young, Ernie Barnes lets his story be told
Entry Credit: Steve Wildsmith
Links: See entry

Second Place
Contestant Name: The Daily Times
Entry Title: K-9s in the community: Lt. Fernandez & K-9 Java
Entry Credit: Shanon Adame
Links: See entry

GENERAL REPORTING (Newspaper – Small)

First Place
Contestant Name: The Daily Times
Entry Title: Tensions rise in Friendsville over juvenile behavioral health center
Entry Credit: Shanon Adame
Links: See entry

Second Place
Contestant Name: BLANK Newspaper
Entry Title: 18 years later, Blank Newspaper is still keeping you filled in
Entry Credit: Amelia Bartlett
Links: See entry