Greg Weatherbee: 2nd place in Columns category for newspapers under 35,000 circulation

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Second-place honors in the under 35,000 circulation category of the Columns category of the Carmage Walls Commentary Prize competition were awarded to Greg Weatherbee, publisher of The Lufkin Daily News in Texas.

First-place includes a curved glass plaque and a cash prize of $1,000.

Josh Havard, editor of The Lufkin Daily News, submitted this entry to the contest — on behalf of Weatherbee.

First column:
Whether Ethan or Elise, my love for my child will never change

In this column, Havard said Weatherbee  “took a courageous stand in saying how his love for his child would never change regardless of their gender. His child is making the transition from Ethan to Elise and he pointed out how he would defend them and love them regardless. With this being written in Deep East Texas, we expected to get some blowback from the far right that has such a strong presence here. However, the comments we received proved to show that, at least publicly, East Texans can relate to loving your child unconditionally.”

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Second column:
All blame, no solutions when it comes to gun violence in America

Weatherbee's second column called for change when it comes to America's gun laws.

“Once again, with our demographic, this isn't necessarily a popular opinion,” Havard said. “While some of the feedback was negative as expected, the column speaks to the greater challenge in our nation. We are hopeful columns like this can continue to be written to serve as a call to get our government officials to take action.”

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Third column:
Standing behind our reputation at LDN

Weatherbee's third column defended his newsroom against what he felt was an unnecessary shot in a Texas Tribune story about an officer-involved shooting.

Havard said: “The article pointed out his newsroom handled the article in the professional way it should have been handled regardless of the demographics. This column allowed the community to understand the complexities that go into covering such a story.”

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Among the judges' comments:

  • One judge said: In my notes, I wrote in all caps: I LOVE THIS ONE!
  • I thought it took a lot of courage for him to address — in such a public way — his child's transition from Ethan to Elise.
  • I loved that, in addition to simply supporting his child, he admits that he doesn't understand why someone would decide to change their gender to match how they see themself. He was just so incredibly human in writing that column because no matter how supportive you want to be, there's probably a part of you that goes: I really don't get it.  He admitted that ... and I thought that was outstanding.
  • I really liked his gun column, especially how he said we don't even blink any more when these things happen.
  • The question I ask when I judge column contests is which entry has impact and which one am I really going to remember.  The Ethan and Elise column rang the bell on that for me.
  • There was such personal vulnerability with these columns.  It's a risk to open yourself up like that.  I admire that.
  • I think there is a real breadth of attention to varied and equally important issues. The poignancy of the column about Weatherbee’s child’s transition and his feelings about it is beautiful. The column defending the paper shows that sometimes it is as important to hold other news organizations to account as it is to turn our spotlight on the government or big business.