North Dakota Journalists Win National Writing Awards
State communications professionals received top honors for their reporting at a national conference held in Baltimore.
Updated on Oct. 24, 2026 in Awards
Writers from Forum Communications earned recognition at the National Federation of Press Women conference. The annual event celebrates professional achievements in the communications industry.
Why it matters
These awards highlight the professional excellence of local communicators on a national stage. Peer recognition within the federation underscores the impact and quality of reporting produced in the region.
Roxane Salonen secured a first-place national finish in the podcast category, while Pam Knutson took first place for a personality profile on Victor Sweeney. Knutson also earned three third-place awards and two honorable mentions for her 2025 work.
The players
Roxane Salonen
A journalist who has written for The Forum since 2008 and holds a degree from Minnesota State University Moorhead.
Pam Knutson
A writer recognized for her personality profile work and ongoing contributions to the field of communications.
National Federation of Press Women
A professional organization that supports journalists and communicators while recognizing excellence in the media industry.
Victor Sweeney
The subject of the personality profile written by Pam Knutson that earned a first-place award.
The details
The accolades were presented to members who demonstrated professional distinction in their fields throughout the 2025 calendar year. Awards were issued for a range of categories including specialty articles, profiles, and podcasting.
Timeline
1991: Roxane Salonen graduated from Minnesota State University Moorhead.
2008: Roxane Salonen began her tenure writing for The Forum.
2025: Period during which the award-winning articles were authored.
Spring 2026: Roxane Salonen was named the North Dakota Professional Communicator Communicator of Achievement.
October 2026: National Federation of Press Women conference held in Baltimore.
Culture Shift
The recognition of these writers reflects a broader trend of regional media outlets maintaining competitive relevance in national professional spaces. By securing awards from the National Federation of Press Women, these communicators align with industry standards for high-quality storytelling.
These awards draw attention to the quality of news and storytelling originating from North Dakota writers. Readers can expect consistent professional standards and award-winning depth in future profiles and articles produced by these local communicators.
The takeaway
Recognized excellence in writing often serves as a benchmark for local residents to identify authoritative and compelling reporting. Following award-winning journalists helps readers connect with the most impactful voices currently working in their home state.
Further reading
Learn more about local achievements in our Awards section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by INFORUM.
