Former Joplin Globe reporter receives national awards for column writing

By Sherman Smith

Kansas Reflector

The National Society of Newspaper Columnists has again recognized Max McCoy’s contributions to Kansas Reflector as among the best opinion writing in the country.

McCoy won second place for online general column writing in the annual awards, which were announced Monday. In 2021, he won the award for humor in an online publication.








This year’s award was based on columns that marked the somber start to 2022 (“Week 98: A window facing north“) and November election results (“Has the dark night of our political soul passed? Not when Kobach comes out of the shadows“).

“I’m honored the judges recognized these two columns that resonated so deeply with many Reflector readers,” McCoy said. “It’s difficult to know when you’re connecting with your audience, but many readers took the time to post a comment or drop me a note. I’m also humbled to be in the company of such exceptional talent.”

The first-place award for general online column writing went to Mary C. Curtis of Roll Call. Third place was a tie between Bonnie Jean Feldkamp of Creators Syndicate and Meredith Cummings of Woman of a Certain Rage.

The National Society of Newspaper Columnists promotes column writers and advocates for free-press issues.

(Note: Max McCoy is a former reporter for the Joplin Globe.)