The Lawrence Journal-World news and advertising departments took home 34 Kansas Press Association Awards of Excellence this year. The awards were presented Saturday at the Capital Plaza Hotel in Topeka.

First-place awards

• News Story: “Trail of Abuse,” by Shaun Hittle

• Investigative Story: “Trail of Abuse,” by Shaun Hittle

• Local Business Story: “Gym Builds Mind and Body,” by Shaun Hittle

• Education Story: “KU student, veteran on mission to get degree after injuries,” by Matt Erickson

• Sports Feature Story: “A Major Concern,” by Shaun Hittle

• News and Writing Excellence, by the news staff

• Sports Photo: “Elite forces,” Nick Krug

• Special Section — Editorial: KU Basketball Magazine by Janella Williams

• Best Online Video (Feature): “Intersecting Lives,” by Kevin Anderson, Shaun Hittle, Nick Krug

• Best Classified Display Ad: “Northeast Kansas Career Expo,” by Rachel Norlin

• Best Ad Series or Campaign: “Every single Lawrence …” by Randy Erickson

• Best House Ad: “If it’s in Lawrence, it’s on Marketplace,” by Randy Erickson

• Most Adaptable Promotion: “Every single Lawrence…” by Randy Erickson

• Best Online Ad (Motion): “Cookie Contest,” by Rachel Norlin

• Best Story/Picture Combination: “Trail of Abuse,” by Mike Yoder and Shaun Hittle

Second-place awards

• Feature Story: “The Bigger the Show the Better,” by Shaun Hittle

• News Story: “Unraveling a Rape Case,” by Shaun Hittle

• Investigative Story: “Unraveling an Rape Case,” by Shaun Hittle

• Series: “Losing the Meth War,” by Shaun Hittle

• Local Business Story: “More restaurants cater to guests with food sensitivities,” by Sara Shepherd

• Agricultural Story: “Will new law water down Kansas wine?” by Sara Shepherd

• Education Story: “A Major Concern,” by Shaun Hittle

• Sports Story: “Big D-fense,” by Matt Tait

• Sports Photo: “Thanks for the dance,” by Mike Yoder

• Editorial Pages: Oct. 4, June 21 and Feb. 22, by Ann Gardner

• Best Newspaper Website, by the news staff

• Best House Ad: “Best seat in the House,” by Rachel Norlin

• Best Online Ad (Motion): “Best of Shawnee,” by Rachel Norlin

• Best Story/Picture Combination: “Intersecting Lives,” by Shaun Hittle, Nick Krug and Kevin Anderson

Third-place awards

• Local Business Story: “Adventures in Eating,” by Sara Shepherd

• Religion Story: “Singing for a second chance,” by Sara Shepherd

• Sports Story Feature: “I’m still here,” by Jesse Newell

• Best Online Video (Feature): “Moving on after mom,” by Nick Krug

• Best House Ad: “Lawrence: Surprisingly portable,” by Randy Erickson