Times-Register receives five awards in Iowa Better Newspaper Contests
The Times-Register received five awards in the 2025 Iowa Better Newspaper Contests. Pictured are editor Audrey Posten and reporter Willis Patenaude.
The Times-Register received five awards in the 2025 Iowa Better Newspaper Contests, marking the 11th consecutive year the newspaper has been honored.
The contests included approximately 3,200 entries in dozens of categories, and were judged by the Kansas Press Association based on circulation. The Times-Register is in Weekly Class II for newspapers published weekly with circulation between 756 and 1,260.
Times-Register reporter Willis Patenaude earned first place for best sports feature story. The article, published last spring, highlighted how Central student Zoey Hyde overcame adversity as an adaptive sports athlete.
Two second-place awards were given for best news photo and coverage of education. The news photo, taken by editor Audrey Posten, showed people fishing in Mississippi floodwaters from the Marquette riverfront last summer. “A great picture showing someone putting a positive spin on the floodwaters,” the judge said.
Coverage of education encompassed Posten’s and Patenaude’s reporting, through multiple articles, on MFL MarMac and Central schools. The judge was particularly impressed with coverage of new AEA legislation as well as a suicide prevention project.
A third-place award for best use of social media recognized the paper’s efforts to inform readers through articles, photos and video on Facebook and Instagram. The Times-Register’s Facebook page currently has 9,000 followers, while its Instagram account engages nearly 1,500—mostly high school-age—followers.
Another third-place award came in the best special section - editorial category. Posten and Patenaude, as well as graphic designer Kim Corpian and Courier Press editor Steve Van Kooten, were honored for their work on the Summer Attractions booklet. This collaborative effort between the Times-Register, Courier Press and The Guttenberg Press highlights points of interest, activities and events in northeast Iowa and southwest Wisconsin, serving as a resource for visitors and locals exploring the area.
The judge noted, “I feel like my summer is already planned out thanks to this section!”
Posten is proud of the Times-Register’s recognition across multiple categories, including editorial, photography and social media.
“Willis and I try very hard to provide well-rounded coverage of a large readership area, providing both hard news and sports but also features that connect readers to the unique people and places in their communities,” Posten said. “While we are not in the career field for the awards, it means a lot to be acknowledged for our time and efforts.”
