Kyle Troutman, right, publisher of the Cassville Democrat and co-owner of Troutman Media LLC, accepts his third Golden Dozen award from Dana Hess, judge of the International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors (ISWNE) opinion writing competition, on Saturday at South Dakota State University in Brookings, S.D. Among 93 submissions from 43 entrants, Troutman’s March 13, 2024, column titled “Part I: The New Normal” was selected as one of the top 12 pieces. The column was the first in a four-part series detailing the challenges and dangers children face when using smart devices. Troutman also won Golden Dozen awards in 2022 and 2024. The top submission of the 12 receives the Golden Quill award, which this year went to Joey Asher, reporter at The Highlands Current in Cold Spring, N.Y. Asher wrote a column about how to treat people living with disabilities following the death of his brother-in-law, who had schizophrenia. ISWNE’s purpose is to help those involved in the weekly press to improve standards of editorial writing and news reporting and to encourage strong, independent editorial voices. It has more than 200 members across the U.S., Canada, U.K. and Nepal. Gary Sosniecki/Special to the Cassville Democrat
