The NRHEG Star Eagle took home two awards during the Minnesota Newspaper Associations annual awards banquet February 1, 2024.

Of more than 4,400 entries in roughly 40 categories, writers Deb Bently and Eli Lutgens each earned awards.

Bently earned second place in the Business Profile category for her piece titled, “Hartland Gold Rush” about the Prairie Gold Rush Magazine produced in Hartland.

Bently also received second and third place honors for articles written in the Waseca County Pioneer.

Lutgens earned third place among entries for weekly columnist. Categories were entered in the non-multi day, 1,000 - 1,500 circulation size.

For Lutgens it was his second award with the Star Eagle from MNA. Writing for the Waseca County Pioneer, he also earned two first place finishes and a third this year.