The Daily Freeman-Journal brought home 11 awards in the Iowa Newspaper Association’s 2019 Better Newspaper Contest, including three first place honors. The awards were presented at awards banquet Friday night during the INA 2019 Convention and Trade Show in Des Moines.

The DF-J competed in the Daily Newspaper Class 1 for papers with circulations less than 9,999.

Sports Editor Troy Banning was honored with a first place in the Best Sports Section category. Banning’s podcast, “3 Up, 3 Down,” also garnered first place honors. Banning produces the sports-themed podcast with Ross Thede, sports editor at the Marshalltown Times-Republican.

Banning also received a second place nod in the Best Sports Feature Photo category, and third place in the Best Sports Columnist and Best Sport Story categories.

The Daily Freeman-Journal was also awarded third place in the Best Website competition.

On the advertising side, the DF-J received a first place for the Best Ad featuring Financial, Insurance or Professional Services category. Two second place honors were awarded for Best Ad Featuring Automotive, Boats or Aircraft and Best Web Ad. The DF-J took third place in the Best Ad Featuring Grocery, Food or Entertainment.

In Best of Class Advertising, the DF-J took third place.

“The Iowa Newspaper Foundation’s Better Newspaper Contest is part of Iowa’s prestigious, statewide annual conference,” said Publisher Terry Christensen.

“Over 600 people attend this three-day event which is capped off with awards presented Friday evening at the annual banquet.”

“We are proud to serve our communities and the awards we win are a reflection of our readers and advertisers,” Christensen said.