Winners of the Missouri Associated Press Media Editors newswriting and photography contest were announced Thursday (Feb. 8).

Nineteen newspapers submitted 429 entries in the contest. A list of winners can be found at http://discover.ap.org/contests/missouri.

The Associated Press is a not-for-profit news cooperative representing 1,400 newspapers and 5,000 broadcast stations in the United States.

Winners in the 2017 Missouri APME newspaper contest:

News Writing Sweepstakes: Tony Messenger, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, "Safety on the MetroLink."

Photojournalism Sweepstakes: Timothy Tai, Columbia Daily Tribune, "Butterfly Child: Son's Rare Illness Helps Centralia Family Appreciate Life."

General Excellence Awards:

DIVISION V (newspapers with circulations over 1 million weekly)

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

DIVISION IV (newspapers with circulations 150,000 to 1 million weekly)

Springfield News-Leader

DIVISION III (newspapers with circulations 30,000 to 150,000 weekly)

Columbia Daily Tribune

DIVISION II (newspapers with circulations under 30,000 weekly)

Hannibal Courier-Post

DIVISION V

Feature Writing: 1, Doug Moore, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, "The Rise of Bruce Franks Jr."; 2, Aisha Sultan, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, "Bullies Tried to Break Her"; 3, Michele Munz, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, "In a Race to Slow ALS."

Headline Writing: 1, NO WINNER.

Opinion Writing: 1, Dave Helling, The Kansas City Star, "No-Bid No More — Competition for KCI Terminal is a Welcome Change"; 2, Tod Robberson, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, "Public Enemy No. 1"; 3, Kevin Horrigan, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, "The Christmas Story, Updated."

Public Interest/Investigative or In-Depth Reporting: 1, Tony Messenger, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, "Safety on the MetroLink"; 2, Jesse Bogan and Michele Munz, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, "Heroin"; 3, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, "Stockley Verdict."

Sports Feature Writing: 1, Vahe Gregorian Maria Torres, The Kansas City Star, "Yordano Ventura's Lonely Road Home"; 2, Jim Thomas, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, "Discovering Kurt Warner: Story Reads More Like a Movie Script"; 3, Sam McDowell, The Kansas City Star, "The Story of KC's Newest Soccer Star."

Spot News: 1, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, "Stockley Not Guilty"; 2, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, "3 Die in Massive Boiler Explosion"; 3, Kim Bell and Denise Hollinshed, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, "Shattered Homes."

Spot Sports: 1, The Kansas City Star, "Yordano Ventura Death"; 2, Derrick Goold, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, "Lilliquist Out as Cards Seek Pitching Coach with 'Modern' Focus"; 3, Vahe Gregorian John Sleezer, The Kansas City Star, "Coverage of Yordano Ventura Funeral in Dominican Republic."

Feature Photos: 1, David Carson, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, "Shooting Up and Pregnant"; 2, Laurie Skrivan, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, "New Father"; 3, J.B. Forbes, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, "The Eclipse has Many Moons."

Graphics: NO WINNER.

Photo Story: 1, Christian Gooden, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, "The Jason Stockley Protests in St. Louis"; 2, Robert Cohen, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, "Chris Whitaker is Elvis and an Undertaker"; 3, Jill Toyoshiba, The Kansas City Star, "Retracing Yordano Ventura's Final Days."

Sports Photos: 1, David Eulitt, The Kansas City Star, "Passing Light"; 2, Rich Sugg, The Kansas City Star, "Air Defense"; 3, Chris Lee, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, "Tangle on the Ice."

Spot News Photos: 1, Christian Gooden, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, "Mall Protest and Arrest"; 2, David Eulitt, The Kansas City Star, "Cat Rescue"; 3, David Eulitt, The Kansas City Star, "Fire Salvage."

DIVISION IV

Best Website: 1, Springfield News-Leader.

Feature Writing: 1, Thomas Gounley, Springfield News-Leader, "The Man Who Reinvented Meth"; 2, Debby Woodin, The Joplin Globe, "A Century Ago, Joplin Goes to War"; 3, Emily Younker, The Joplin Globe, "It's a Victory: Joplin Woman Celebrates Life on Other Side of Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault."

Headline Writing: 1, Brandon Zenner, St. Joseph News-Press, "35 AND OH!"; 2, Giacomo Bologna and Amos Bridges, Springfield News-Leader, "Republic Woman Drove Drunk in 2000 and Killed a Young Mother. She's Been Arrested Again."; 3, Jackie Rehwald, Springfield News-Leader, "His Name is Dennis: The Panhandling Subject of Sheriff Arnott's Viral Post."

Opinion Writing: 1, Carol Stark, The Joplin Globe, "Digging Deeper Hole"; 2, Steve Pokin, Springfield News-Leader, "Pokin Around: Eric Greitens — The Governor Who Cried 'Weasel!'''; 3, Carol Stark, The Joplin Globe, "Thank You, Tim Summers."

Public Interest/Investigative or In-Depth Reporting: 1, Claudette Riley and Giacomo Bologna, Springfield News-Leader, "Filed & Forgotten"; 2, Steve Pokin, Springfield News-Leader, "Convicted by Blood: The Case of Brad Jennings"; 3, Koby Levin, The Joplin Globe, "Lost Time."

Sports Feature Writing: 1, Brandon Zenner, St. Joseph News-Press, "Football Games Better Together"; 2, Harrison Keegan, Springfield News-Leader, "Keith Guttin Building Legacy at MSU; Just Don't Ask Him About It"; 3, Jim Connell, Springfield News-Leader, "No Place to Play: Emotions Run High for Missouri State Student-Athletes."

Spot News: 1, Alissa Zhu, Springfield News-Leader, "Confrontations Turn into Handshakes as Trump Supporters, Protesters Meet in the Streets"; 2, Gregory Holman, Springfield News-Leader, "'It's not a boycott:' NAACP Warns the Nation About Traveling in Missouri"; 3, Emily Younker, The Joplin Globe, "JHS Student Killed at Irving was 'Phenomenal Human Being'."

Spot Sports: 1, Adam Burns, The Joplin Globe, "Bruggeman, Marble Pledge Support of Denver Johnson"; 2, Adam Burns, The Joplin Globe, "Brayden Scott Named Lions' Starting Quarterback Ahead of Week 6"; 3, Jim Henry, The Joplin Globe, "Picking Four: Max Roark Ties School Record with Four Interceptions."

Feature Photos: 1, Andrew Jansen, Springfield News-Leader, "Panhandlers, Pedestrians Could be Affected by Newly Recommended Traffic Safety Rules"; 2, Jessica Stewart, St. Joseph News-Press, "Bull Riders Storm Civic Arena"; 3, Andrew Jansen, Springfield News-Leader, "25 Years Ago, This Trio Became Springfield Police Officers. Now They're Leaving Together.."

Graphics: 1, Lyndsey Nielsen, Springfield News-Leader, "Lawyers Weigh in on 'Inappropriate' Greene Co. Email."

Photo Story: 1, Jessica Stewart, St. Joseph News-Press, "Tornado Hits Plattsburg"; 2, Andrew Jansen, Springfield News-Leader, "A Photo Story: Growing Food — and Community — at Millsap Farms"; 3, Roger Nomer, The Joplin Globe, "Joy Prom."

Opinion Writing: 1, Laurie Sisk, The Joplin Globe, "Gang Tackle."

Sports Photos: 2, Andrew Jansen, Springfield News-Leader, "Springfield Catholic Quarterback Shines with His Dad Coaching on the Sideline"; 3, Andrew Jansen, Springfield News-Leader, "Missouri State All Over Evangel in First Crosstown Matchup Since 1985."

Spot News Photos: 1, Jessica Stewart, St. Joseph News-Press, "Tension Boils After Incident Involving Several Children"; 2, Roger Nomer, The Joplin Globe, "Neosho Flooding"; 3, Nathan Papes, Springfield News-Leader, "Small Plane Crash in Christian County Sends Two to Hospital."

DIVISION III

Best Website: 1, Columbia Missourian; 2, Jefferson City News Tribune; 3, Southeast Missourian, (Cape Girardeau) Southeast Missourian.

Feature Writing: 1, Edward McKinley, Columbia Missourian, "UM System Hired a High-Profile PR Firm for Damage Control After Fall 2015"; 2, Rudi Keller, Columbia Daily Tribune, "Couple, Inseparable in Life, Buried in One Casket After Dying 30 Hours Apart"; 3, Jeff Fox, The (Independence) Examiner, "A Tarnished Jewel."

Headline Writing: 1, Phillip Sitter, Jefferson City News Tribune, "The Watch Comes Off"; 2, Phillip Sitter, Jefferson City News Tribune, "Show-Me Sunshine"; 3, Peter Baugh, Columbia Missourian, "COCK-A-DOODLE ... EW Missouri's Lackluster Effort Allows Gamecocks to Crow About 31-13 Victory."

Opinion Writing: 1, Columbia Daily Tribune, "Confederate Leaders Deserve a Place in History, Without Honor"; 2, Gerry Tritz, Jefferson City News Tribune, "Greitens Political Maneuvers an Insult to Missourians"; 3, Shawnna Robinson, (Park Hills) Daily Journal, "A Memorable Journey."

Public Interest/Investigative or In-Depth Reporting: 1, Columbia Daily Tribune, "Left Behind"; 2, Bob Miller and Tyler Graef, (Cape Girardeau) Southeast Missourian, "Life Without"; 3, Carolyn Heger and Tom Coulter, Columbia Missourian, "Aurora Organic Dairy."

Sports Feature Writing: 1, Scott Borkgren, (Poplar Bluff) Daily American Republic, "Hoover's 'Love Affair'''; 2, Cameron Teague Robinson, Columbia Daily Tribune, "Battle's Tyler Makes Inspiring Recovery"; 3, Cameron Teague Robinson, Columbia Daily Tribune, "The Smile That Never Fades."

Spot News: 1, Missourian Staff, Columbia Missourian, "River Flooding"; 2, Mark Bliss, (Cape Girardeau) Southeast Missourian, "Scott City Mayor, City Administrator Resign"; 3, Caitlin Campbell, Columbia Daily Tribune, "Local Youth Director, Pastor Accused of Attacking Young Woman."

Spot Sports: 1, Trent Singer, (Cape Girardeau) Southeast Missourian, "Redhawks Banned from Postseason Play"; 2, Brian Rosener, (Poplar Bluff) Daily American Republic, "Imperfect End"; 3, Daniel Jones, Columbia Daily Tribune, "Michael Porter Jr. Commits to Missouri."

Feature Photos: 1, Andrew J. Whitaker, (Cape Girardeau) Southeast Missourian, "Jump Around"; 2, Andrew J. Whitaker, (Cape Girardeau) Southeast Missourian, "Training with Fire"; 3, Andrew J. Whitaker, (Cape Girardeau) Southeast Missourian, "Jackson Band Festival 2017."

Graphics: 1, Daily American Republic staff, (Poplar Bluff) Daily American Republic, "Tornado 1927."

Photo Story: 1, Timothy Tai, Columbia Daily Tribune, "Butterfly Child: Son's Rare Illness Helps Centralia Family Appreciate Life"; 2, Andrew J. Whitaker, (Cape Girardeau) Southeast Missourian, "Kinslee Kinder's Journey with Rhett Syndrome"; 3, Andrew J. Whitaker, (Cape Girardeau) Southeast Missourian, "Rolling Hills Youth Day Camp."

Sports Photos: 1, Jason Strickland, Jefferson City News Tribune, "Late Heroics"; 2, Scott Borkgren, (Poplar Bluff) Daily American Republic, "Flying Catch"; 3, Timothy Tai, Columbia Daily Tribune, "March Sadness."

Spot News Photos: 1, Timothy Tai, Columbia Daily Tribune, "Child Killed in House Fire"; 2, Timothy Tai, Columbia Daily Tribune, "Two Hurt in Highway Shooting"; 3, Timothy Tai, Columbia Daily Tribune, "End to a Standoff."

DIVISION II

Best Website: 1, Hannibal Courier-Post; 2, Allyssa Dudley, Missouri Lawyers Weekly.

Feature Writing: 1, Trevor McDonald, Hannibal Courier-Post, "Craftsman's Model Car Completed by Friend"; 2, Jason Hunsicker, Kirksville Daily Express, "Journey to the Stars"; 3, Scott Lauck, Missouri Lawyers Weekly, "Attorney has Moon Shot Case in the Bag."

Headline Writing: 1, Danny Henley, Hannibal Courier-Post, "Century Old Clock"; 2, Jack "Miles" Ventimiglia, (Warrensburg) Daily Star-Journal, "No Weeds Allowed"; 3, Eric Dundon, Hannibal Courier-Post, "The Hoots."

Opinion Writing: 1, Jason Hunsicker, Kirksville Daily Express, "School Board Election"; 2, Eric Dundon, Hannibal Courier-Post, "School Policing"; 3, Jason Hunsicker, Kirksville Daily Express, "Is There Nothing the US Can Do?."

Public Interest/Investigative or In-Depth Reporting: 1, Helen Wilbers, Fulton Sun, "The Story of Carl DeBrodie"; 2, Eric Dundon, Hannibal Courier-Post, "An Earned Reputation?"; 3, Danny Henley, Hannibal Courier-Post, "The Beast Beneath."

Sports Feature Writing: 1, Kevin Graeler, Hannibal Courier-Post, "How Sweet the Sound"; 2, Kevin Graeler, Hannibal Courier-Post, "Finding Her Place"; 3, Travis David, Hannibal Courier-Post, "Battling More Than Opponents."

Spot News: 1, Danny Henley, Hannibal Courier-Post, "Gunfire Not New"; 2, Catherine Martin, Missouri Lawyers Weekly, "Appellate Court Vacates $72M Talc Verdict Over Jurisdiction"; 3, Scott Lauck, Missouri Lawyers Weekly, "Order Adds Fuel to Defender Caseload Woes."

Spot Sports: 1, Jack "Miles" Ventimiglia, (Warrensburg) Daily Star-Journal, "Fading Whispers"; 2, Kevin Graeler, Hannibal Courier-Post, "Going Out on Top"; 3, Hannibal Courier-Post, "Panthers Pounce."

Feature Photos: 1, Jack "Miles" Ventimiglia, (Warrensburg) Daily Star-Journal, "Dust in the Wind."

Graphics: 1, Ryan O'Shea, Missouri Lawyers Weekly, "Breaking the School-to-Prison Pipeline"; 2, Ryan O'Shea, Missouri Lawyers Weekly, "CLE Postcard from Cuba."

Photo Story: 1, Jack "Miles" Ventimiglia, (Warrensburg) Daily Star-Journal, "Fantastic Beasts."

Sports Photos: 1, Jack "Miles" Ventimiglia, (Warrensburg) Daily Star-Journal, "They Score"; 2, Mathew Kirby, Hannibal Courier-Post, "Championship Celebration"; 3, Jack "Miles" Ventimiglia, (Warrensburg) Daily Star-Journal, "Feeling the Loss."

Spot News Photos: 1, Jack "Miles" Ventimiglia, (Warrensburg) Daily Star-Journal, "Motorcyclist Dies"; 2, Jack "Miles" Ventimiglia, (Warrensburg) Daily Star-Journal, "Family History in Flames"; 3, Allyssa Dudley, Missouri Lawyers Weekly, "Stockley Protest."