This Burgess: The website of author Rob Burgess.
In 1994, the original hardback version of “The Encyclopedia of Indianapolis,” developed by the Polis Center at IUPUI, was published.
In 2019, I was honored to be asked to write the entry for NUVO for the updated online version.
On Friday, July 23, 2021, the winners of the 53rd annual Hoosier State Press Association (HSPA) Better Newspaper Contest for 2021 were announced. I won first place for Best Business or Economic News Coverage.
That was one of four awards I won that day in Division 1, which includes non-dailies with a circulation of less than 1,500. Here is the full story about it:
Staff Report
On Friday, the Hoosier State Press Association (HSPA) announced the winners of their 53rd annual Better Newspaper Contest for 2021.
Among those recognized was Wabash Plain Dealer Editor Rob Burgess, who won awards in four separate categories in Division 1, which includes non-dailies with a circulation of less than 1,500.
Burgess’ first-place entry in the Best Business or Economic News Coverage category included three stories on Wabash County family farms, including one about Bowman Family Farms during the 2019 Purdue University Indiana Farm Management Tour, one about 120 years of agricultural history on John Hartsough’s family farm in North Manchester and one about local farmers assisting Dean Stouffer to harvest his fields after he fell ill with COVID-19.
Burgess’ second-place entry in the Headline Writing category included “‘The Bible Memory Man’ cometh,” “Family Video in Wabash checking out” and “Fowl at the fair.”
Burgess’ third-place entry in the Best Profile Feature category was a story about David Crosby before his performance at the Honeywell Center.
Burgess’ third-place entry in the Best Feature Photo category was for “Bringing out the ‘big check,’” which showed Charity Lane being surprised with $50,000 from Publishers Clearing House.
HSPA executive director and general counsel Steve Key said each year HSPA presents hundreds of awards to newspapers and journalists across the state. There were 1,635 entries for this year’s contest from 61 newspapers. The Kansas State Press Association provided judging for this year’s contest.
The coronavirus pandemic caused the cancellation of an in-person awards event last year and this year. The 2021 awards were presented on a webpage with opening and closing remarks from Key. For more information, visit www.hspa.com.
“I wish I was standing before you in a packed room but life has changed over the last 17 months,” Key said in his video greeting. “The trial we all endured has illustrated once again the importance of strong, local journalism.”
Key’s opening remarks are followed by the announcement of the HSPA’s special honors and hundreds of individual and organizational awards divided up by the four circulation divisions.
“Your work under these circumstances makes me proud to be a part of the Hoosier State Press Association,” said Key.
Key said the pandemic caused a pause in normal award protocols for the last two years “but not in the quality of work being honored.”
“Newsrooms across the state rose to the occasion producing stories not only about the pandemic but a host of other issues impacting Hoosiers,” Key said. “Your work under these circumstances makes me proud to be a part of the Hoosier State Press Association.”
In June, the Indiana Professional Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) announced the winners of their 2020 Best in Indiana Journalism Contest. Among those recognized was Burgess, who won awards in three separate categories for publications with circulation below 30,000.
Burgess’ second-place entry in the Personality Profile category was a story about local DivorceCare group leader Janet Quillen.
Burgess’ third-place entry in the Criminal Justice Reporting category included two stories about overcrowding in the Wabash County Jail, two stories about the murder of Nakota “Fergie” Kelly and a story about the opening of the baby box at Wabash Fire Station 1.
Burgess’ third-place entry in the Environmental Reporting category included a story about 120 years of history at John Hartsough’s family farm in North Manchester; and stories about Teen Indiana Master Naturalists, Salamonie Preschool, a monarch butterfly Senior Luncheon presentation and women landowners, all meeting at Salamonie Lake.
In May 2020, during the SPJ’s 2019 Best in Indiana Journalism Contest, Burgess also won third place for Arts and Entertainment Writing for publications with circulation below 30,000. Burgess’ winning entry from last year included five stories published in 2019. These stories included interviews with Amy Grant, David Crosby, Buck Trent of “Hee Haw,” Richard Sterban of the Oak Ridge Boys and Patrick Myers of Killer Queen before their respective performances at the Honeywell Center.
Burgess has been Wabash Plain Dealer editor since June 2019.
Last year’s SPJ awards banquet was originally scheduled for this April 2020, but the chapter announced that they would be announcing the winners online instead due to safety concerns around COVID-19. Similarly, this year’s awards ceremony was presented in an online video presentation, rather than in person.
The Best in Indiana Journalism contest is Indiana’s only open journalism contest. This was the 42nd year that journalists from around the state competed in dozens of print, broadcast and online categories.
My winning entry comprised stories related to the past, present and future of family farms in Wabash County:
2019-06-29 – WPD – Managing farms for the future (Page A1, jump to A6)
2020-03-05 – WPD – One farm shows 120 years of agricultural history
2020-11-21 – WPD – Harvesting compassion
For a full list of winners, click here:
On Friday, July 23, 2021, the winners of the 53rd annual Hoosier State Press Association (HSPA) Better Newspaper Contest for 2021 were announced. I won second place for Headline Writing.
That was one of four awards I won that day in Division 1, which includes non-dailies with a circulation of less than 1,500. Here is the full story about it:
Burgess wins four HSPA awards
Staff Report
On Friday, the Hoosier State Press Association (HSPA) announced the winners of their 53rd annual Better Newspaper Contest for 2021.
Among those recognized was Wabash Plain Dealer Editor Rob Burgess, who won awards in four separate categories in Division 1, which includes non-dailies with a circulation of less than 1,500.
Burgess’ first-place entry in the Best Business or Economic News Coverage category included three stories on Wabash County family farms, including one about Bowman Family Farms during the 2019 Purdue University Indiana Farm Management Tour, one about 120 years of agricultural history on John Hartsough’s family farm in North Manchester and one about local farmers assisting Dean Stouffer to harvest his fields after he fell ill with COVID-19.
Burgess’ second-place entry in the Headline Writing category included “‘The Bible Memory Man’ cometh,” “Family Video in Wabash checking out” and “Fowl at the fair.”
Burgess’ third-place entry in the Best Profile Feature category was a story about David Crosby before his performance at the Honeywell Center.
Burgess’ third-place entry in the Best Feature Photo category was for “Bringing out the ‘big check,’” which showed Charity Lane being surprised with $50,000 from Publishers Clearing House.
HSPA executive director and general counsel Steve Key said each year HSPA presents hundreds of awards to newspapers and journalists across the state. There were 1,635 entries for this year’s contest from 61 newspapers. The Kansas State Press Association provided judging for this year’s contest.
The coronavirus pandemic caused the cancellation of an in-person awards event last year and this year. The 2021 awards were presented on a webpage with opening and closing remarks from Key. For more information, visit www.hspa.com.
“I wish I was standing before you in a packed room but life has changed over the last 17 months,” Key said in his video greeting. “The trial we all endured has illustrated once again the importance of strong, local journalism.”
Key’s opening remarks are followed by the announcement of the HSPA’s special honors and hundreds of individual and organizational awards divided up by the four circulation divisions.
“Your work under these circumstances makes me proud to be a part of the Hoosier State Press Association,” said Key.
Key said the pandemic caused a pause in normal award protocols for the last two years “but not in the quality of work being honored.”
“Newsrooms across the state rose to the occasion producing stories not only about the pandemic but a host of other issues impacting Hoosiers,” Key said. “Your work under these circumstances makes me proud to be a part of the Hoosier State Press Association.”
In June, the Indiana Professional Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) announced the winners of their 2020 Best in Indiana Journalism Contest. Among those recognized was Burgess, who won awards in three separate categories for publications with circulation below 30,000.
Burgess’ second-place entry in the Personality Profile category was a story about local DivorceCare group leader Janet Quillen.
Burgess’ third-place entry in the Criminal Justice Reporting category included two stories about overcrowding in the Wabash County Jail, two stories about the murder of Nakota “Fergie” Kelly and a story about the opening of the baby box at Wabash Fire Station 1.
Burgess’ third-place entry in the Environmental Reporting category included a story about 120 years of history at John Hartsough’s family farm in North Manchester; and stories about Teen Indiana Master Naturalists, Salamonie Preschool, a monarch butterfly Senior Luncheon presentation and women landowners, all meeting at Salamonie Lake.
In May 2020, during the SPJ’s 2019 Best in Indiana Journalism Contest, Burgess also won third place for Arts and Entertainment Writing for publications with circulation below 30,000. Burgess’ winning entry from last year included five stories published in 2019. These stories included interviews with Amy Grant, David Crosby, Buck Trent of “Hee Haw,” Richard Sterban of the Oak Ridge Boys and Patrick Myers of Killer Queen before their respective performances at the Honeywell Center.
Burgess has been Wabash Plain Dealer editor since June 2019.
Last year’s SPJ awards banquet was originally scheduled for this April 2020, but the chapter announced that they would be announcing the winners online instead due to safety concerns around COVID-19. Similarly, this year’s awards ceremony was presented in an online video presentation, rather than in person.
The Best in Indiana Journalism contest is Indiana’s only open journalism contest. This was the 42nd year that journalists from around the state competed in dozens of print, broadcast and online categories.
2019-07-19 - WPD - Fowl at the fair (Page A1, jump to A3)
2019-06-21 - WPD - 'The Bible Memory Man' cometh (Page A1)
2020-09-23 – WPD – Family Video in Wabash checking out
For a full list of winners, click here:
On Friday, July 23, 2021, the winners of the 53rd annual Hoosier State Press Association (HSPA) Better Newspaper Contest for 2021 were announced. I won third place for Best Profile Feature.
That was one of four awards I won that day in Division 1, which includes non-dailies with a circulation of less than 1,500. Here is the full story about it:
Staff Report
On Friday, the Hoosier State Press Association (HSPA) announced the winners of their 53rd annual Better Newspaper Contest for 2021.
Among those recognized was Wabash Plain Dealer Editor Rob Burgess, who won awards in four separate categories in Division 1, which includes non-dailies with a circulation of less than 1,500.
Burgess’ first-place entry in the Best Business or Economic News Coverage category included three stories on Wabash County family farms, including one about Bowman Family Farms during the 2019 Purdue University Indiana Farm Management Tour, one about 120 years of agricultural history on John Hartsough’s family farm in North Manchester and one about local farmers assisting Dean Stouffer to harvest his fields after he fell ill with COVID-19.
Burgess’ second-place entry in the Headline Writing category included “‘The Bible Memory Man’ cometh,” “Family Video in Wabash checking out” and “Fowl at the fair.”
Burgess’ third-place entry in the Best Profile Feature category was a story about David Crosby before his performance at the Honeywell Center.
Burgess’ third-place entry in the Best Feature Photo category was for “Bringing out the ‘big check,’” which showed Charity Lane being surprised with $50,000 from Publishers Clearing House.
HSPA executive director and general counsel Steve Key said each year HSPA presents hundreds of awards to newspapers and journalists across the state. There were 1,635 entries for this year’s contest from 61 newspapers. The Kansas State Press Association provided judging for this year’s contest.
The coronavirus pandemic caused the cancellation of an in-person awards event last year and this year. The 2021 awards were presented on a webpage with opening and closing remarks from Key. For more information, visit www.hspa.com.
“I wish I was standing before you in a packed room but life has changed over the last 17 months,” Key said in his video greeting. “The trial we all endured has illustrated once again the importance of strong, local journalism.”
Key’s opening remarks are followed by the announcement of the HSPA’s special honors and hundreds of individual and organizational awards divided up by the four circulation divisions.
“Your work under these circumstances makes me proud to be a part of the Hoosier State Press Association,” said Key.
Key said the pandemic caused a pause in normal award protocols for the last two years “but not in the quality of work being honored.”
“Newsrooms across the state rose to the occasion producing stories not only about the pandemic but a host of other issues impacting Hoosiers,” Key said. “Your work under these circumstances makes me proud to be a part of the Hoosier State Press Association.”
In June, the Indiana Professional Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) announced the winners of their 2020 Best in Indiana Journalism Contest. Among those recognized was Burgess, who won awards in three separate categories for publications with circulation below 30,000.
Burgess’ second-place entry in the Personality Profile category was a story about local DivorceCare group leader Janet Quillen.
Burgess’ third-place entry in the Criminal Justice Reporting category included two stories about overcrowding in the Wabash County Jail, two stories about the murder of Nakota “Fergie” Kelly and a story about the opening of the baby box at Wabash Fire Station 1.
Burgess’ third-place entry in the Environmental Reporting category included a story about 120 years of history at John Hartsough’s family farm in North Manchester; and stories about Teen Indiana Master Naturalists, Salamonie Preschool, a monarch butterfly Senior Luncheon presentation and women landowners, all meeting at Salamonie Lake.
In May 2020, during the SPJ’s 2019 Best in Indiana Journalism Contest, Burgess also won third place for Arts and Entertainment Writing for publications with circulation below 30,000. Burgess’ winning entry from last year included five stories published in 2019. These stories included interviews with Amy Grant, David Crosby, Buck Trent of “Hee Haw,” Richard Sterban of the Oak Ridge Boys and Patrick Myers of Killer Queen before their respective performances at the Honeywell Center.
Burgess has been Wabash Plain Dealer editor since June 2019.
Last year’s SPJ awards banquet was originally scheduled for this April 2020, but the chapter announced that they would be announcing the winners online instead due to safety concerns around COVID-19. Similarly, this year’s awards ceremony was presented in an online video presentation, rather than in person.
The Best in Indiana Journalism contest is Indiana’s only open journalism contest. This was the 42nd year that journalists from around the state competed in dozens of print, broadcast and online categories.
My winning entry included my profile of David Crosby before his performance at the Honeywell Center:
2010-08-03 – WPD – “You will remember David Crosby's name”
For a full list of winners, click here:
On Friday, July 23, 2021, the winners of the 53rd annual Hoosier State Press Association (HSPA) Better Newspaper Contest for 2021 were announced. I won third place for Best Feature Photo.
That was one of four awards I won that day in Division 1, which includes non-dailies with a circulation of less than 1,500. Here is the full story about it:
Staff Report
On Friday, the Hoosier State Press Association (HSPA) announced the winners of their 53rd annual Better Newspaper Contest for 2021.
Among those recognized was Wabash Plain Dealer Editor Rob Burgess, who won awards in four separate categories in Division 1, which includes non-dailies with a circulation of less than 1,500.
Burgess’ first-place entry in the Best Business or Economic News Coverage category included three stories on Wabash County family farms, including one about Bowman Family Farms during the 2019 Purdue University Indiana Farm Management Tour, one about 120 years of agricultural history on John Hartsough’s family farm in North Manchester and one about local farmers assisting Dean Stouffer to harvest his fields after he fell ill with COVID-19.
Burgess’ second-place entry in the Headline Writing category included “‘The Bible Memory Man’ cometh,” “Family Video in Wabash checking out” and “Fowl at the fair.”
Burgess’ third-place entry in the Best Profile Feature category was a story about David Crosby before his performance at the Honeywell Center.
Burgess’ third-place entry in the Best Feature Photo category was for “Bringing out the ‘big check,’” which showed Charity Lane being surprised with $50,000 from Publishers Clearing House.
HSPA executive director and general counsel Steve Key said each year HSPA presents hundreds of awards to newspapers and journalists across the state. There were 1,635 entries for this year’s contest from 61 newspapers. The Kansas State Press Association provided judging for this year’s contest.
The coronavirus pandemic caused the cancellation of an in-person awards event last year and this year. The 2021 awards were presented on a webpage with opening and closing remarks from Key. For more information, visit www.hspa.com.
“I wish I was standing before you in a packed room but life has changed over the last 17 months,” Key said in his video greeting. “The trial we all endured has illustrated once again the importance of strong, local journalism.”
Key’s opening remarks are followed by the announcement of the HSPA’s special honors and hundreds of individual and organizational awards divided up by the four circulation divisions.
“Your work under these circumstances makes me proud to be a part of the Hoosier State Press Association,” said Key.
Key said the pandemic caused a pause in normal award protocols for the last two years “but not in the quality of work being honored.”
“Newsrooms across the state rose to the occasion producing stories not only about the pandemic but a host of other issues impacting Hoosiers,” Key said. “Your work under these circumstances makes me proud to be a part of the Hoosier State Press Association.”
In June, the Indiana Professional Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) announced the winners of their 2020 Best in Indiana Journalism Contest. Among those recognized was Burgess, who won awards in three separate categories for publications with circulation below 30,000.
Burgess’ second-place entry in the Personality Profile category was a story about local DivorceCare group leader Janet Quillen.
Burgess’ third-place entry in the Criminal Justice Reporting category included two stories about overcrowding in the Wabash County Jail, two stories about the murder of Nakota “Fergie” Kelly and a story about the opening of the baby box at Wabash Fire Station 1.
Burgess’ third-place entry in the Environmental Reporting category included a story about 120 years of history at John Hartsough’s family farm in North Manchester; and stories about Teen Indiana Master Naturalists, Salamonie Preschool, a monarch butterfly Senior Luncheon presentation and women landowners, all meeting at Salamonie Lake.
In May 2020, during the SPJ’s 2019 Best in Indiana Journalism Contest, Burgess also won third place for Arts and Entertainment Writing for publications with circulation below 30,000. Burgess’ winning entry from last year included five stories published in 2019. These stories included interviews with Amy Grant, David Crosby, Buck Trent of “Hee Haw,” Richard Sterban of the Oak Ridge Boys and Patrick Myers of Killer Queen before their respective performances at the Honeywell Center.
Burgess has been Wabash Plain Dealer editor since June 2019.
Last year’s SPJ awards banquet was originally scheduled for this April 2020, but the chapter announced that they would be announcing the winners online instead due to safety concerns around COVID-19. Similarly, this year’s awards ceremony was presented in an online video presentation, rather than in person.
The Best in Indiana Journalism contest is Indiana’s only open journalism contest. This was the 42nd year that journalists from around the state competed in dozens of print, broadcast and online categories.
My winning entry was “Bringing out the ‘big check,’” which showed Charity Lane being surprised with $50,000 from Publishers Clearing House:
2020-01-25 – WPD – Bringing out the 'big check'
For a full list of winners, click here:
A video of the awards ceremony is available here:
I won third place for Criminal Justice Reporting for publications with circulation below 30,000.
It was one of three awards I won that day, also including third place for Environmental Reporting and second place for Personality Profile.
Burgess wins three SPJ awards
Staff Report
On Monday, the Indiana Professional Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) announced the winners of their 2020 Best in Indiana Journalism Contest.
Among those recognized was Wabash Plain Dealer Editor Rob Burgess, who won awards in three separate categories for publications with circulation below 30,000.
Burgess’ second-place entry in the Personality Profile category was a story about local DivorceCare group leader Janet Quillen.
Burgess’ third-place entry in the Criminal Justice Reporting category included two stories about overcrowding in the Wabash County Jail, two stories about the murder of Nakota “Fergie” Kelly and a story about the opening of the baby box at Wabash Fire Station 1.
Burgess’ third-place entry in the Environmental Reporting category included a story about 120 years of history at John Hartsough’s family farm in North Manchester; and stories about Teen Indiana Master Naturalists, Salamonie Preschool, a monarch butterfly Senior Luncheon presentation and women landowners, all meeting at Salamonie Lake.
In May 2020, during the SPJ’s 2019 Best in Indiana Journalism Contest, Burgess also won third place for Arts and Entertainment Writing for publications with circulation below 30,000. Burgess’ winning entry from last year included five stories published in 2019. These stories included interviews with Amy Grant, David Crosby, Buck Trent of “Hee Haw,” Richard Sterban of the Oak Ridge Boys and Patrick Myers of Killer Queen before their respective performances at the Honeywell Center.
Burgess has been Wabash Plain Dealer editor since June 2019.
Last year’s SPJ awards banquet was originally scheduled for this April 2020, but the chapter announced that they would be announcing the winners online instead due to safety concerns around COVID-19. Similarly, this year’s awards ceremony was presented in an online video presentation, rather than in person.
The Best in Indiana Journalism contest is Indiana’s only open journalism contest. This was the 42nd year that journalists from around the state competed in dozens of print, broadcast and online categories.
2020-02-21 – WPD – ACLU complaint calls Wabash County Jail 'unconstitutional'
2020-02-22 – WPD - Jail overcrowding a common problem in the state
2020-08-01 – WPD – A vigil for Nakota 'Fergie' Kelly
2020-08-12 – WPD – Jury trial date set in Nakota Kelly murder case
2020-11-14 – WPD – Blessing the baby box
The rest of the 2020 award winners may
be found here.
On Monday, June 14, 2021, the Indiana Professional Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) announced the winners of their 2020 Best in Indiana Journalism Contest. The awards banquet was held online instead of in-person due to safety concerns around COVID-19.
A video of the awards ceremony is available here:
I won third place for Environmental Reporting for publications with circulation below 30,000.
It was one of three awards I won that day, also including third place for Criminal Justice Reporting and second place for Personality Profile.
Burgess wins three SPJ awards
Staff Report
On Monday, the Indiana Professional Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) announced the winners of their 2020 Best in Indiana Journalism Contest.
Among those recognized was Wabash Plain Dealer Editor Rob Burgess, who won awards in three separate categories for publications with circulation below 30,000.
Burgess’ second-place entry in the Personality Profile category was a story about local DivorceCare group leader Janet Quillen.
Burgess’ third-place entry in the Criminal Justice Reporting category included two stories about overcrowding in the Wabash County Jail, two stories about the murder of Nakota “Fergie” Kelly and a story about the opening of the baby box at Wabash Fire Station 1.
Burgess’ third-place entry in the Environmental Reporting category included a story about 120 years of history at John Hartsough’s family farm in North Manchester; and stories about Teen Indiana Master Naturalists, Salamonie Preschool, a monarch butterfly Senior Luncheon presentation and women landowners, all meeting at Salamonie Lake.
In May 2020, during the SPJ’s 2019 Best in Indiana Journalism Contest, Burgess also won third place for Arts and Entertainment Writing for publications with circulation below 30,000. Burgess’ winning entry from last year included five stories published in 2019. These stories included interviews with Amy Grant, David Crosby, Buck Trent of “Hee Haw,” Richard Sterban of the Oak Ridge Boys and Patrick Myers of Killer Queen before their respective performances at the Honeywell Center.
Burgess has been Wabash Plain Dealer editor since June 2019.
Last year’s SPJ awards banquet was originally scheduled for this April 2020, but the chapter announced that they would be announcing the winners online instead due to safety concerns around COVID-19. Similarly, this year’s awards ceremony was presented in an online video presentation, rather than in person.
The Best in Indiana Journalism contest is Indiana’s only open journalism contest. This was the 42nd year that journalists from around the state competed in dozens of print, broadcast and online categories.
2020-03-05 – WPD - One farm shows 120 years of agricultural history
2020-06-16 – WPD – Hands-on learning with the Teen Indiana Master Naturalists
2020-09-05 – WPD – Making new friends at Salamonie Preschool
2020-09-16 – WPD - 'A beautiful mystery'
2020-09-26 – WPD – Educating women landowners
The rest of the 2020 award winners may be found here.
On Monday, June 14, 2021, the Indiana Professional Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) announced the winners of their 2020 Best in Indiana Journalism Contest. The awards banquet was held online instead of in-person due to safety concerns around COVID-19.
A video of the awards ceremony is available here:
I won second place for Personality Profile for publications with circulation below 30,000.
It was one of three awards I won that day, also including third place for Criminal Justice Reporting and third place for Environmental Reporting.
Burgess wins three SPJ awards
Staff Report
On Monday, the Indiana Professional Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) announced the winners of their 2020 Best in Indiana Journalism Contest.
Among those recognized was Wabash Plain Dealer Editor Rob Burgess, who won awards in three separate categories for publications with circulation below 30,000.
Burgess’ second-place entry in the Personality Profile category was a story about local DivorceCare group leader Janet Quillen.
Burgess’ third-place entry in the Criminal Justice Reporting category included two stories about overcrowding in the Wabash County Jail, two stories about the murder of Nakota “Fergie” Kelly and a story about the opening of the baby box at Wabash Fire Station 1.
Burgess’ third-place entry in the Environmental Reporting category included a story about 120 years of history at John Hartsough’s family farm in North Manchester; and stories about Teen Indiana Master Naturalists, Salamonie Preschool, a monarch butterfly Senior Luncheon presentation and women landowners, all meeting at Salamonie Lake.
In May 2020, during the SPJ’s 2019 Best in Indiana Journalism Contest, Burgess also won third place for Arts and Entertainment Writing for publications with circulation below 30,000. Burgess’ winning entry from last year included five stories published in 2019. These stories included interviews with Amy Grant, David Crosby, Buck Trent of “Hee Haw,” Richard Sterban of the Oak Ridge Boys and Patrick Myers of Killer Queen before their respective performances at the Honeywell Center.
Burgess has been Wabash Plain Dealer editor since June 2019.
Last year’s SPJ awards banquet was originally scheduled for this April 2020, but the chapter announced that they would be announcing the winners online instead due to safety concerns around COVID-19. Similarly, this year’s awards ceremony was presented in an online video presentation, rather than in person.
The Best in Indiana Journalism contest is Indiana’s only open journalism contest. This was the 42nd year that journalists from around the state competed in dozens of print, broadcast and online categories.
Here is my winning Personality Profile category story:
2020-02-25 – WPD - Divorced people helping divorced people
The rest of the 2020 award winners may
be found here.
On March 15 and 16, 2019, the CBD Expo Midwest 2019 was held at the Indianapolis Marriott East. From 11:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. March 15, 2019, I was honored to be asked to be a moderator at the “CBD vs. THC” panel.
I was once honored to have been asked to moderate a panel at the CBD Expo Midwest 2021 event, this time on the topic "2021 INSIGHT: CBD Regulations in the Midwest" from 1:30 to 2:15 p.m. Saturday, April 10, 2021, once again at the Indianapolis Marriott. Panelists included Andrew Bauman, Joe Linne and Debra Smith-Torrence.
Here's the description:
“As we move into the first calendar year, the DEA no longer considers Hemp to be a controlled substance, the regulation of the hemp industry finally moves towards a place of clarity. As banking and production rules and taking shape on a federal level, individual states move to craft plans that will fit their particular localities. Understanding how states operate is crucial to running a compliant and successful national brand. As a legal medical marijuana state with a widespread hemp industry, Midwest regulators are crafting their own way. Between recent decisions to functionally decriminalize cannabis, alongside executive orders banning smokable hemp and creating a registry for CBD sellers there is a lot to know about operating in the Midwest.”
Here is a list of contests I have been honored to have been asked to judge:
I served as one of the judges for the 2021 Kansas Press Association Awards of Excellence. I judged the following categories:
- Editorial Pages (D4)
- Editorial Pages (D5)
- Editorial Pages (D6)
Judging based on editorial content, leadership, community interest, impact and layout and design. Submit three editorial pages, one from each of the following periods: November - February, March - June, and July - October. Awards are presented to the newspaper.
- Editorial Writing (D1)
- Editorial Writing (D3)
- Editorial Writing (D7)
Judging based on local impact, reasoning, writing excellence and
leadership shown through the editorial. Submit three different
editorials by the same writer. The three editorials constitute one
entry. Limit one entry per person.
- Religion Story (D5)
Judging based on writing style, community importance, originality and enterprise. Limit four entries per person. One story constitutes an entry.
I served as one of the judges for the 2020 Press Club of Western Pennsylvania Tri-State Golden Quill Awards for Excellence in Journalism, Media and Communications in Western Pennsylvania, Eastern Ohio and Northern West Virginia. It was the 56th annual contest. I judged the following categories:
- Public Affairs, Politics or Government: Excellence in Written Journalism, Daily: Qualifying entries may be from traditional print newspapers, news services or digital media news organizations that consistently publish new written content daily, or five or more times a week. Submissions may be material posted on a website or written digital media associated with any journalistic or media organization that considers the work published. Entries may be a single story or series. Entry credit must be the writer(s) or reporter(s) most responsible for the written entry.
- News Feature: Excellence in Audio Journalism (Radio and Podcasts): Qualifying entries may be from traditional radio broadcasts, podcasts or digital audio media associated with any journalistic or media organization, including traditional print outlets. Entries may be a single story, single program or series. Limited entries to 60 minutes. Entrant should be the member(s) of the production team most responsible for the entry (i.e., reporters, producers, editors, writers, sound engineers).
I judged the following categories for the 2019 Virginia Press Association News and Advertising Contest:
- W06 Editorial Writing (N1, N2, N3, N4):The writing of an opinion which appears on a bona fide editorial page and reflects the opinion or stance of the publication. Editorials may be signed or unsigned. Requirements: Each entry consists of a group of three editorials on the same subject or three unrelated examples of the entrants' work. An example may be a single editorial or a package of editorials published on the same day. Entries with fewer examples will be disqualified. Sidebars or related stories published on the same day as one of the three main stories may be included. Submit one PDF containing all portions of the entry.
- W10 Feature Story Writing (Excluding Obituaries) (O1): For stories in which the writer emphasizes such techniques as narrative and drama. The quality of writing and ability of the writer to hold reader interest will be considered.
I judged the following category in the 2019 Minnesota Newspaper Association Better Newspaper Contest:
- Arts & Entertainment Story (C06,C05) - 50 entries
