JACKSON — The Associated Press Media Editors named reporter Whitney Downard of The Meridian Star as the Mississippi Newsperson of the Year at its annual awards dinner Saturday night in Jackson.

It was the second consecutive year Downard received the Newsperson of the Year honor, which considers both print and broadcast journalists from all size media markets.

Downard, who began her professional career at The Star in September 2016, was recognized for a selection of her work that included reporting about long delays in the Lauderdale County justice system; the expense of the Lauderdale County Board of Supervisors’ trip to Washington, D.C. in 2018; mistrust between the Meridian City Council Council and city administration; and a feature about the historic Temple Theatre.

The Star received three other first place awards and two second place awards in its circulation size in the annual Louisiana-Mississippi AP Broadcasters and Media Editors contest, which is sponsored by the University of Mississippi School of Journalism and New Media. 

Sports Writer Elton Hayes placed first in Breaking Sports reporting for his coverage of Lamar’s victory over Pillow in a state championship boys soccer game.

Judges wrote of Hayes’ report, “very well written, felt like I was right there.”

The Star’s staff received two first place awards for its reporting on The Mississippi Arts & Entertainment Experience.

The Continuing Coverage award recognized The Star’s work in the week leading up to The MAX’s grand opening, including final preparations before its opening and reporting through the opening weekend.

The Multimedia Package award recognized The Star’s reporting on the grand opening, which included a livestream video, video, photo galleries, social media posts, a special print section, front-page coverage and a dedicated web page, www.meridianstar.com/max, that contains all of The Star’s reporting on The MAX since its groundbreaking.

“These were especially rewarding for us because every person on our news staff had a role in this reporting,” Star Editor Dave Bohrer said.

Ida Brown, The Star’s Life and Special Sections editor, received a second place award for her feature on Citizen of the Year Eddie Kelly.

Bohrer received a second place award in feature writing for his story about “Clooney the Clown.” The judges wrote, “NIce, entertaining and interesting piece. Well-written.”