Washington Newspaper Publishers Association

Washington Newspaper Publishers Association Washington Newspaper Publishers Association is an advocate for community newspapers, freedom of the press and open government.

The association is dedicated to helping members advance editorial excellence, financial viability, professional development, and a high standard of publication quality and community leadership. WNPA represents about 89 community newspapers in Washington state. It is the successor to the Washington Press Association, founded in 1887 by newspapers in Dayton, Ellensburg, Seattle, Tacoma, Yakima and W

alla Walla. In accordance with its bylaws, WNPA offers four types of membership. While publications must meet certain criteria to join, Regular Members are general-interest community newspapers that publish at least twice a month. Associate Members are either general-interest or niche publications and publish at least monthly. Affiliate Members include businesses and educational institutions that are not in the newspaper business but have related interests. Honorary Life Membership is awarded to publishers who have been a regular member of WNPA for 35 years and are still active in that capacity, and to other individuals the Board of Trustees wishes to honor. The Executive Committee and Board of Trustees meet at least quarterly to manage the association's work.

09/02/2026

The kind of journalism that takes months, not hours.

17 newsrooms earned 2026 BNC awards for investigative reporting, comprehensive coverage and community service: Anacortes American, Cascadia Daily News, Chinook Observer, Columbia Basin Herald and 13 more.

Placements revealed at the Awards Dinner, Oct. 3.

WNPA 2025 Better Newspaper Contest Winner — Personality Profile ShortJournal of the San Juan Islands (Group 1)Stanwood C...
09/02/2026

WNPA 2025 Better Newspaper Contest Winner — Personality Profile Short

Journal of the San Juan Islands (Group 1)
Stanwood Camano News (Group 2)
South Whidbey Record (Groups 3 & 4)

On Journal of the San Juan Islands, judges said: "Great analysis of both positives and negatives. There's an honesty with that. Person here seems like a great part of her community."



What's your favorite community newspaper?

08/31/2026

Government, crime, health, environment, education, elections — the stories that matter most to communities.

26 newsrooms earned 2026 BNC awards for public affairs reporting, from Skagit Valley, Kitsap to Bellingham: Anacortes American, Bainbridge Island Review, Cascadia Daily News, Chinook Observer and 22 more.

Who placed first in each category? Find out Oct. 3 at the Awards Dinner!

WNPA 2025 Better Newspaper Contest Winner — Personality Profile LongMethow Valley News (Groups 1 & 2)The Newport Miner (...
08/31/2026

WNPA 2025 Better Newspaper Contest Winner — Personality Profile Long

Methow Valley News (Groups 1 & 2)
The Newport Miner (Group 3)
The Reflector (Group 4)

On Methow Valley News, judges said: "In a category with several strong features, this one excelled because the story of the woman was also the story of the area and of a movement. Well written and told."



Who's your favorite local reporter?

08/28/2026

The 139th WNPA Convention is almost here.

Oct. 2-3 | Delta Hotels by Marriott, Everett

Sessions on AI, revenue, photography, reporting, ad sales and more — plus the Better Newspaper Contest Awards Dinner Saturday night.

This is where Washington's newspaper people gather. Don't miss it.

Register at wnpa.com

WNPA 2025 Better Newspaper Contest Winner — Sports Personality ProfileThe Chronicle (Group 1)Methow Valley News (Group 2...
08/28/2026

WNPA 2025 Better Newspaper Contest Winner — Sports Personality Profile

The Chronicle (Group 1)
Methow Valley News (Group 2)
The Newport Miner (Group 3)
Key Peninsula News (Group 4)

On Methow Valley News, judges said: "Well written story about athlete's battle back from injury/surgery"



Support your local newsroom!

08/26/2026

From breaking news to the deeply weird — 27 newsrooms earned 2026 BNC awards for news reporting.

Winners span from Kitsap, Bellingham to Eastern Washington and everywhere in between: Bainbridge Island Review, Cascadia Daily News, Cheney Free Press, Chinook Observer and 23 more.

Placements announced at the Awards Dinner, Oct. 3!

WNPA 2025 Better Newspaper Contest Winner — Sports Feature StoryWhitman County Gazette (Groups 1 & 2)Chinook Observer (G...
08/26/2026

WNPA 2025 Better Newspaper Contest Winner — Sports Feature Story

Whitman County Gazette (Groups 1 & 2)
Chinook Observer (Group 3)
Cascadia Daily News (Group 4)

On Whitman County Gazette, judges said: "Just an well-written story about an interesting subject."



Community journalism at its finest!

08/24/2026

The 2026 BNC General Excellence winners are in — 12 newspapers from South King County, Bellingham to Eastern Washington recognized for outstanding overall quality.

Auburn Reporter, Cascadia Daily News, Cheney Free Press, Chewelah Independent, Chinook Observer, Federal Way Mirror, Islands' Sounder, Journal of the San Juan Islands, Lynden Tribune, Port Townsend Leader, The Courier-Herald, Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber

Who took first? You'll find out at the Awards Dinner, Oct. 3. Register at wnpa.com!

WNPA 2025 Better Newspaper Contest Winner — Arts Feature or StoryThe Chronicle (Group 1)Stanwood Camano News (Group 2)Po...
08/24/2026

WNPA 2025 Better Newspaper Contest Winner — Arts Feature or Story

The Chronicle (Group 1)
Stanwood Camano News (Group 2)
Port Townsend Leader (Group 3)
The Northern Light (Group 4)

On The Chronicle, judges said: "Well written story about an interesting find and the local connection."



Shout out your local newspaper below!

Address

PO Box 23472, Federal Way
Olympia, WA
98093

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+13608308613

Website

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