JACKSON – The DAILY LEADER news staff captured six awards,including three first place honors, Friday in theMississippi-Louisiana Associated Press Managing Editors newspapercompetition for 2007.

The DAILY LEADER competed in the Division I category, forMississippi and Louisiana newspapers with circulations under10,000.

Staff Writer Therese Apel received a first place award in SpotNews for her story on “Somber Signs,” which dealt with theMississippi Department of Transportation’s decision to removememorial markers from highway rights of way.

Managing Editor Matthew Coleman won a first place award for BestHeadline, “No More House Calls,” over a story about District 92Rep. Dr. Jim Barnett’s retirement last year.

Coleman and Apel shared a first place award in the Multipicturecategory for their coverage of the May 24 downtown fire.

Sports Editor Tom Goetz received a second place award from SportColumns.

Among third-place honors, Coleman was recognized in theEditorials category and Apel was honored in the Photo-Portraitcategory.