Missouri Press Association
Serving Missouri Newspapers Since 1867
These links are for the Missouri Press Foundation Better Newspaper Contest 2025 entry instructions, rules and categories.
2025 Better Newspaper Contest rules
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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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/
2024 Results
Awards "booklet"
2023 Results
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
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
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
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