2022 Sweetwater Award
The Lansing Journal was announced as the winner of the inaugural Sweetwater Award on May 13, 2022, by Broadstreet, a digital advertising company that works with independent local news, magazine, and niche media. The award recognizes publishers who “go above and beyond in planning, running, and executing an ad campaign. Many publishing awards focus on the journalism side of things — this honors excellence in advertising.” Read the full story: The Lansing Journal Wins Sweetwater Award (published May 16, 2022)
2020 AFCP Awards
The Lansing Journal was judged alongside print publications from across North America as part of the “Best of the Best” awards competition by the Association of Free Community Publications (AFCP). Nearly 1,500 entries were submitted in over 100 different publishing categories to be recognized for outstanding achievement in design, advertising, editorial, and publishing. Newspapers and magazines published between January 1 and December 31, 2019, were eligible, and the judges represented a variety of publishing, graphics, printing, and journalism backgrounds from across the country.
The Lansing Journal won six awards in five categories.
General Excellence: Second Place
Submissions included June 2019, October 2019, and March 2019 print issues
Feature Article Layout: Honorable Mention
“Lessons from the Pinewood Derby,” print layout, February 2019
Best Original Editorial Photography, Sports Article: Third Place
“Coolidge’s Torrence Tate (22) drives to the basket,” photo by Ashlee De Wit, February 2019 (appearing in Roundball Classic championship celebrates community)
Best Original Editorial Photography, News Article: Third Place
“International dance tour includes Lansing,” photo by Melanie Jongsma, September 2019
Best Original Photography Used in an Ad: Honorable Mention
Advertiser: Village of Lansing, Community Clean-up Day; Photographer: Melanie Jongsma, April 2019
Best Original Photography Used in an Ad: Honorable Mention
Advertiser: Village of Lansing, 2019 Santa House Schedule; Photographer: Melanie Jongsma, December 2019
Images of the winning entries and details about the award qualifications are included in the editorial published June 28, 2020:
2019 IFPA Awards
Local Business Coverage: Second Place
Submissions included May 2, 2018, and April 3, 2019, print issues
Editorial Original Writing: Second Place
“A newspaper for all of Lansing,” editorial by Melanie Jongsma, September 2018
Self Promotion: Third Place
The Lansing Journal Journeys, ongoing feature of photo submissions by community members
Images of the winning entries and details about the award qualifications are included in the October 12, 2019, article by Jennifer Pallay:
2019 AFCP Best of the Best Awards
Best Front Page, Newsprint: Third Place
Submission: July 4, 2018, print issue, “Looking for a swift solution”
Images of the winning entry and details about the award qualifications are included in the article published May 9, 2019:
- July 2018 issue earns AFCP award (May 2019 article)
2018 AFCP Best of the Best Awards
Most Improved, Minimum 26% Editorial Content: Second Place
Best Original Writing, News: Second Place
“Lansing gets a dog park,” by Melanie Jongsma, November 2017
Images of the winning entries and details about the award qualifications are included in the May 2018 article:
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