25 awards for TMC Publications from MNA in 2026

At the January 2026 Minnesota Newspaper Association Convention, TMC Publication CO accepted 25 awards during the Better Newspaper Contest Awards banquet. Accepting them in person were (left to right) Eric Erickson, Tesha M. Christensen (owner), Amy Holmberg and Jill Boogren. Our woman-owned, family-run newspaper group includes the Longfellow Nokomis Messenger, Midway Como Frogtown Monitor and Southwest Connector (now Southwest Voices following a fall 2025 merger).

1) General Excellence, 1st place: Southwest Connector/Voices

NEWS
2) General Reporting, 3rd place: Midway Como Frogtown Monitor
3) Freedom of Information Award, 2nd place: Tesha M. Christensen, “Journalists under fire here in America,” and “Racism takes aim at community members in newspaper,” Midway Como Frogtown Monitor
4) Social issues story, 1st place: Jill Boogren, “More trans Americans are calling Minnesota home”
5) Local Breaking News Coverage, 1st place: Jane McClure, “Midway Cub Foods closing,” Midway Como Frogtown Monitor; 
6) Local Breaking News Coverage, 3rd place: Tesha M. Christensen, “Brandon Long leaves NENA, interim director appointed,” Longfellow Nokomis Messenger
7) Investigative Reporting, 1st place:  Amy Holmberg, “AI and education;” 
8) Investigative Reporting, 2nd place: Tesha M. Christensen, “Who get’s career training in high school?”
9) Investigative Reporting, 3rd place: Tesha M. Christensen, “What’s the future look like for independent pharmacies?”
10) Sports feature story, 2nd place: Eric Erickson, “Como wrestler earns second in state,” Midway Como Frogtown Monitor
11) Human Interest Story, 2nd place: Margie O’Loughlin, “Food equals love,” Longfellow Nokomis Messenger
12) Human interest, personality feature/profile: 3rd place, Allie Johnson, “Gift of warmth, Southwest Connector
13) Business profile, 3rd place: Danielle Fraser, “Two co-ops, same block,” Longfellow Nokomis Messenger
14) Hard news, 3rd place: Jane McClure, Matthew Johnson, Aurora Pass, “Will shelter guests be safe?” “Loon lands at Allianz Field,” and “Can Snelling-University area be fixed?” Midway Como Frogtown Monitor

PHOTOGRAPHY
15) Use of Photography as a Whole, 1st place: Southwest Connector
16) Use of Photography as a Whole, 3rd place: Longfellow Nokomis Messenger
17) Photography Feature photo, 1st place: Terry Faust, kids looking at bug
18) Photography Portrait and Personality, 2nd place: Tesha M. Christensen, “Bull’s Horn’s chef Doug”

DESIGN
19) Typography and Design, 1st place: Longfellow Nokomis Messenger 
20) Typography and Design, 2nd place: Southwest Connector 
21) Typography and Design, 3rd place: Midway Como Frogtown Monitor
22) Use of color in advertising, 1st place: Berry Farm
23) Use of color in advertising, 2nd place: Alexander’s Auto
24) Use of color in advertising, 3rd place Como Connects, designer Tesha M. Christensen
25) Use of Information Graphics and Graphic Illustrations, 1st place: Tesha M. Christensen, “Towerside graphic,” Midway Como Frogtown Monitor