Missouri Press Association
Serving Missouri Newspapers Since 1867
2025 BETTER NEWSPAPER CONTEST

These links are for the Missouri Press Foundation Better Newspaper Contest 2025 entry instructions, rules and categories.

ACES Contest Template

2025 Better Newspaper Contest rules

2025 BNC Entry Instructions

A-Mark Prize for Investigative Journalism — This is a separate contest from MPA's Better Newspaper Contest. Use the linked form for entries.

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Fee structure and payment information

You will be prompted to pay for your entries through the ACES platform after you complete uploading your entries.

The 2025 BNC entry fee structure is as follows:

Entries uploaded before March 1: $6 per entry;

Entries uploaded before April 1: $7 per entry; and

Entries uploaded April 1-7: $10 per entry.

While the online payment method is preferred, checks can be made to Missouri Press Foundation/BNC, 802 Locust St., Columbia, MO 65201-4888, or pay by credit card by calling MPA’s Marcie Elfrink at (573) 449-4167, then press *.

ONLINE PAYMENT METHOD: You may also pay through Missouri Press Association’s website. To use this method of payment, fill out the form here: https://mopress.wufoo.com/forms/zdxo2e81ib2pn4/

The item on MPA’s website store can be found here: mopress.com/product/better-newspaper-contest-entries/


BETTER NEWSPAPER CONTEST RESULTS


2024 Results

Awards "booklet"

Judges comments


2023 Results

Awards "booklet"

Results by newspaper

Judges comments

Gold Cup winners

Weeklies: Cassville Democrat — Class 1; Springfield Business Journal — Class 2; and Washington Missourian — Class 3.

Dailies: Columbia Missourian — Class 1; and The Kansas City Star — Class 3.


2022 Results

Results by newspaper

Judges comments

Gold Cup winners

Weeklies: Richmond News — Class 1, Laclede County Record — Class 2, Washington Missourian — Class 3

Dailies: Sedalia Democrat — Class 1, Columbia Missourian — Class 2, The Kansas City Star — Class 3


2021 Results

2021 Awards "booklet"

2021 Results by newspaper

2021 Judges' comments

 

Gold Cup winners

Weeklies: Maryville Forum — Class 1, Richmond News — Class 2, Washington Missourian — Class 3

Dailies: Monett Times — Class 1, Columbia Missourian — Class 2, St. Louis Post-Dispatch — Class 3


Results - 2020 Results and judges' comments

Gold Cup Winners: Weeklies: Class 1, Cassville Democrat; Class 2, Richmond News; Class 3, St. Louis American

Dailies: Class 1, Monett Times; Class 2, Columbia Missourian; Class 3, The Kansas City Star

Results - 2019

Judges comments

Gold Cup Winners: Weeklies — Cassville Democrat — Class 1, Richmond News — Class 2, St. Louis American — Class 3

Dailies — Lebanon Daily Record — Class 1, Columbia Missourian — Class 2, St. Louis Post-Dispatch — Class 3

Results - 2018

Gold Cup Winners: Weeklies — Cassville Democrat – Class 1; Christian County Headliner News – Class 2; Jefferson County Leader – Class 3

Dailies — Hannibal Courier-Post – Class 1, Columbia Missourian – Class 2, St. Louis Post-Dispatch – Class 3

Results - 2017

Results - 2016

Results - 2015

Results - 2014

Results - 2013

Results - 2012

Results - 2011

Results - 2010

Results - 2009

Results - 2008

Results - 2007

Results - 2006

Results - 2005

Results - 2004

Results - 2003