Whitefish Pilot wins Montana Newspaper Association awards
Whitefish Pilot | UPDATED 2 days, 18 hours AGO
Park host Jessica Stafford and Emmett stroll through the beach at Les Mason State Park at sunset on June 16, 2025. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot)
The Whitefish Pilot was recognized at the Montana Newspaper Association’s 141st annual convention in Miles City last week, where the winners of the 2026 Better Newspaper Contest were announced.
The Pilot totaled 22 first, second and third place awards across editorial and advertising categories.
Pilot Reporter Julie Engler won for best news story with “Bagel shop, community conduit, on a roll,” an article about Cutthroat Bagel Company stepping up when SNAP benefits were halted.
Editor Kelsey Evans received first place for headline writing. Her photo of fire crews battling the O’Piccolo blaze and a sunset at Les Mason State Park won first place photojournalism awards.
The Pilot Advertising Director Morgan Cawdrey received first place for best use of local photography in an advertisement.
A team effort led the Pilot to receive first place honors for a special edition for the 2025 Whitefish Oktoberfest publication. A Facebook reel of the Whitefish Winter Carnival received first place for feature videos.
Hagadone Media Montana Regional Editor Matt Baldwin was elected the new president of the Montana Newspaper Association.
“Matt Baldwin is one of the most respected newsroom leaders in Montana,” said Brian Allfrey, executive director of MNA. “His dedication to quality journalism, support for community newspapers and collaborative leadership style make him exceptionally well-suited to lead the association. We look forward to working with Matt as MNA continues to advocate for Montana newspapers and strengthen local journalism across the state.”
The MNA’s 2026 Better Newspaper Contest recognized the best journalism, photography, design, advertising and digital work produced by Montana newspapers during 2025. The contest was judged by the Nevada Press Association.
The Daily Inter Lake was recognized for general excellence and won the Sam Gilluly Award for best Montana daily newspaper for the third year running. The Monitor won the Thomas Dimsdale Award for best weekly newspaper and the Flathead Beacon won best online newspaper.
Complete Better Newspaper Contest results and convention information are available at mtnewspapers.com