The News is proud to announce several staff members were given 2013 news coverage and design awards by the Georgia Press Association, including the pioneer winner for a new category, which were presented at the GPA Convention on June 6, 2014.

Gabriel Khouli, news editor and government reporter, was given the prestigious Emerging Journalist Award for weekly papers.

“I’m incredibly honored to be named GPA’s first-ever emerging journalist,” Khouli said. “I’ve grown so much as a reporter, writer and person during my five-plus years at The Covington News and that’s because of the help I received from my co-workers at the paper and from several people in the community. Thanks to all of you who answered questions, provided feedback and motivated and encouraged me.”

“In the 50 years I have been in the newspaper business – the last 33 as a publisher – I have never had a reporter work as hard as Gabe at improving his skills,” said News Publisher T. Pat Cavanaugh in a GPA article.

He was also awarded for Business Coverage and Investigative Reporting.

“His reporting is very thorough, even-handed and includes background and context that help tell the whole story,” said the GPA judge who chose Khouli. “He tackles difficult stories head-on, while telling the softer stories with an engaging voice that gets at the subjects’ heart.”

Matt Smith, former Covington News sports editor, won the Sports Writing award, and Danielle Everson, former education reporter, won the Religion Coverage award.

The News also was recognized for Community Service (City Manager Search) and Layout and Design.