Jennifer Allen inducted as 148th President of Arkansas Press Association

Hot Springs Village Voice Owner and Publisher Jennifer Allen was inducted as the 148th president of the Arkansas Press Association on Saturday (June 28). The focus of Allen’s presidency will be APA’s ongoing capital campaign — Sustaining the Foundation of Arkansas Journalism.

APA Executive Director Ashley Kemp Wimberley praised Allen, who has been in the newspaper industry for 36 years, including five years as advertising director at the Hot Springs Sentinel Record and 10 years as regional advertising director for GateHouse Media, now Gannett.

“Jennifer has a proven track record as a strategic thinker and is highly effective at driving growth,” said Wimberley.

“I’m humbled to be the 11th woman to hold this office in our state’s oldest trade association,” said Allen. “I am looking forward to supporting Arkansas journalists and news organizations as we navigate the evolving media landscape together.”

Wimberley expressed her thanks to Immediate Past President Andrew Bagley, co-owner and publisher of the Helena World, Monroe County Argus and Waldron News.

“I would like to express my gratitude to Andrew for his service to the industry during his presidency, especially during this year’s legislative session,” said Wimberley. “He was willing to drive in from Helena on a moment’s notice, and spent many late nights at the Capitol if it was required. I value him as a friend, and appreciate his dedication to the association as a board member, newspaper owner and publisher.”

Also, winners of the Arkansas Press Association 2025 Better Newspaper Editorial Awards were announced on Saturday, June 28 at the Tri-State Press Convention in Memphis. In addition to honoring the best in Arkansas journalism in multiple size division and coverage categories, three special awards were presented.

The Arkansas Press Association Photo of the Year Award to Zach Anders of the South Arkansas Sun in Hampton for his photo, “Hogskin Holidays 4th of July Celebration”.

Ellen Kreth and Shannon Hahn of the Madison County Record in Huntsville were named as the winners of the 2025 Meredith Oakley Award. The Meredith Oakley Award was established in memory of the former Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Associate Editor and “Voices” page editor who died in 2023 at age 72. Endowed with seed money by the Hussman Foundation, the award is presented annually for the strongest use of the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act in reporting and includes a $1,000 prize and plaque.

The 2025 Ernie Deane-Brenda Blagg Columnist of the Year award was presented to Shelley Smith of the Stone County Leader in Mountain Home for her body of work.

The Ernie Deane-Brenda Blagg Columnist of the Year award memorializes the late columnists Ernie Deane, a journalist, educator and historian who for decades wrote “The Arkansas Traveler” and “Ozarks Country,” and Brenda Blagg, whose column, “Between the Lines,” ran from 1979 until 2022. It is funded through the Ernie Deane Award Endowment, which is intended to support the Arkansas Newspaper Foundation’s charitable and educational purposes and includes a $1,000 prize and plaque.

Runners-up for the 2025 Ernie Deane-Brenda Blagg Columnist of the Year award are Jeri Shire of the South Arkansas Sun in Hampton, Steve Watts of the White County Citizen in Searcy and Gwen Faulkenberry of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette in Little Rock.

General Excellence commendation was awarded to The Helena World in the Smaller Weekly division, The Leader in Jacksonville in the Larger Weekly division, the White County Citizen in Searcy in the Smaller Daily category, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette in the Larger Daily category and the Arkansas Advocate in the Media Division.

There were 1,517 entries from newspapers and media organizations statewide in this year’s contest. All categories were judged by members of the Tennessee Press Association.

The Arkansas Press Association was founded in 1873 and is the oldest trade association in the state.