BISMARCK, N.D.—The Devils Lake Journal was recognized among other North Dakota newspapers with top honors for government reporting and sports writing during the “Better Newspaper Contest” portion at the 140th annual North Dakota Newspaper Association convention held April 30 – May 1at the Gateway to Science.
Journal staffers received a total of five awards for newspapers under 900 subscribers in the competition, including Government Reporting, Personal Column – Serious, Reporting Series, Sports Reporting Series and Sports Feature.
Editor Emeritus Louise Oleson and Managing Editor Mark C. Robinson were recognized in the category of Government Reporting with first place honors for their feature story on the resignation of Ramsey County Commission President Lee Gessner who came to the Journal offices to share his story on maintaining his mental health. The judges said, “This story gives the reader so much more than the details of a resignation. Along with the commissioner’s own words, the reporter included plenty of background that illustrates just how difficult the job is.”
Sports Editor Joseph “Mojo” Hill was awarded first place in two categories: Sports Feature and Sports Reporting Series.
In the category of Sports Feature, Hill received top honors for his feature story from April 2025 on the recovery of local high school athlete Gauge Driessen after being paralyzed in a skiing accident, judges wrote, “What an amazing story – and the writing and presentation does it justice! Great work talking to different sources and getting interesting insights and comments.”
Hill was also recognized in Sports Reporting Series for his series of articles last fall on the Devils Lake High School Football State Championship Series. The judges said, “Definitely the most polished writer among entrants and a clear winner. Interesting and entertaining writing style and word choice.”
Hill was also recently been named by the National Sports Media Association as North Dakota Sportswriter of the Year and will join fellow honorees at the NSMA’s 66th awards weekend and national convention next month in Greensboro, N.C.
Oleson received second place in the category of Personal Column – Serious for her column in August 2025 about respecting opposing viewpoints called “The Way I See It,” with judges remarking, “Excellent coverage of a serious topic. This is deeply personal and at the same time very good for everyone to know.”
Robinson received second place in the category of Reporting Series for his series of stories on the disappearance and recovery of Spirit Lake Tribe resident Danica White.
Robinson was also voted with two other newspaper journalists, including Blake Nicholson of the Bismarck Tribune and Ben Cartwright of the Westhope Standard to serve in the coming year on NDNA’s board.
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