Place Name: First Place Contestant Name: The Monroe Times Entry Title: An unconventional method of smoking cheddar; Polka, Polka, Polka; Dog Gone Tough Entry Credit: Adam Krebs, Gary Mays Judge Comment: Fun main stops me, informative sub helps me know there's something I want to read ... didn't love the last one, serious subject, not sure the humor is well placed
Place Name: Second Place Contestant Name: The Star News Entry Title: Sending out an SOS, Reshaping the rubric, Shooting for funding Entry Credit: Brian Wilson Judge Comment: Not flashy. Just solid. Good use of Main and Sub to grab and tease
Place Name: Third Place Contestant Name: Barron News-Shield Entry Title: February 2026 trial for alleged brains behind Barron armed robbery; One for the road 17 times too many for Rice Lake man; Cops cancel mailbox vandals Entry Credit: Jim Bell Judge Comment: Effective copy. Good job.
