ANNAPOLIS, Md. – The Daily State News collected three “Best of Show” awards Friday at a celebration for the 2025 Maryland-Delaware-DC Press Association editorial and advertising contest.
Reporter Mike Finney and freelance photographer Gary Emeigh won a best in show for “Stirring 1987 led to 911 upgrade” in the non-profile feature category.
The story recounted the Christmas Eve 1987 kidnapping of an infant and murder of his parents in Kent County, the challenges that followed the hunt for suspects and changes to the emergency call center.
Mr. Emeigh was a photographer for the State News at the time and took photographs of the baby being returned to family.
The State News won “Best of Show” awards for Citywide Black History Month (community service program) and Dover Con (best event).
Named on the community service award were Jessica Cook and Angi Hicks. The two, joined by Jamie Bobbitt, were also named on the best event award.
The are six divisions in the contest, based on the sizes of the media organizations’ audiences. The winners of each are then judged for best of show.
The Daily State News competes in Division C which includes small dailies.
There were two other first place winners from the Daily State News.
Copy editor Beth Skinner won for best headline – “Blessed yew: Dover church’s tree second largest of species in US.”
Editor-in-chief Andrew West won for best column (critical thinking) – “Jimmy who? Delaware got to know President Carter.”
Sports editor Andy Walter won second place for sports feature – “Former Milford athlete gets second chance at life.”
The contest, governed by the Association’s Editorial and Advertising Committees, admitted 1,594 entries among 86 categories. Florida State Press Association members judged this year’s contest.
