As a proud alumnus of the Missouri School of Journalism, I’m thrilled to share that I, Erik Hall, now serving as Managing Editor of The Telegraph in Alton, Illinois, led our newsroom to win a prestigious 2024 EPPY Award from Editor & Publisher magazine. This recognition highlights the best in digital journalism across the nation, and The Telegraph was named Best Daily Newspaper Website (Fewer than 1 Million Unique Monthly Visitors).

This is the first time in The Telegraph’s history that we have received an EPPY Award, marking a significant milestone for our newsroom and cementing our position among the digital elite of local journalism. We are proud to receive this honor with esteemed winners like The Boston Globe, which won in the large newspaper division.

The award reflects the dedication, creativity, and innovation of our entire team at The Telegraph. Since taking on the role of managing editor in March 2024, I’ve been committed to leading our newsroom toward becoming a truly digital-first enterprise, leveraging cutting-edge tools and platforms to engage our community and tell impactful local stories.

Editor & Publisher commended The Telegraph for showcasing how local news organizations can excel in digital engagement, emphasizing our role in connecting with audiences through innovative storytelling.

The skills I honed at the Missouri School of Journalism — reporting with precision, leading with integrity, and embracing the ever-evolving digital landscape — have been instrumental in achieving this success. I’m proud to represent Mizzou and its legacy of excellence in journalism.

Thank you to the faculty and staff of the Missouri School of Journalism for laying the foundation that made this accomplishment possible.

Updated: January 10, 2025