GV Wire captured one of the California News Publishers Association’s most prestigious awards on Friday, winning for General Excellence among mid-sized digital news sites.

“GV Wire delivers a lively and frequently updated mix of news framed for local readers, drawing on its own staff-produced local journalism ((including video, podcast, and opinion) along with well-curated state coverage and locally framed national content from wires and content partners,” a contest judge said.

“The result feels like news that addresses what you need or might want to know as a local resident and Californian. The site uses digital assets well, both on breaking news and weekly features that go deeper. Along with its breadth, GV Wire offers a prevailing reader focus to the framing of coverage that delivers a distinct sense of place and public interest.

“The home page is both newsy and easily navigable, with a strong sense of relevance that prevails even though GV Wire provides national and state content (from AP, CalMatters, and other providers). If you think of local as news relevant to local people, GV Wire offers a model in providing a local voice and view along with its original reporting.”

GV Wire’s publisher is Darius Assemi of Fresno. Bill McEwen leads the news team.

GV Wire competes with digital sites averaging between 100,001 and 400,000 monthly unique visitors. The Modesto Bee finished second and The Long Beach Post third for General Excellence.

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 Other CNPA Awards for GV Wire Staff

The award capped a strong performance by GV Wire in the annual competition for CNPA members:

— Education reporter Nancy Price received third-place honors in political coverage for her story on the 2022 Measure E ballot measure and in education/youth coverage for a story on Fresno Unified’s new chief academic officer, Dr. Natasha Baker.

— Political reporter David Taub nabbed second place in local government coverage for his look at tennis, volleyball, and pickleball enthusiasts competing for court time at Fresno parks.

— Former health reporter Liz Juarez finished third in column writing for her essays on why some rural residents prefer Clovis healthcare facilities over those in Fresno, and on leading a zero-waste lifestyle.

CNPA also honored GV Wire’s newest reporter, Edward Smith, for three stories written for his previous employer, The Business Journal.

In the category for weeklies with less than 11,000 circulation, Smith won first place in ag reporting for his story on Madera County farmers revolting against the state’s groundwater sustainability plan and first place in environmental coverage for a look into agave farming by Woolf Farming. He also took second place in breaking news with a story about PG&E.

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