The Editor & Publisher team–along with 68 judges—have announced the 2012 EPPY Award finalists, and the Lawrence Journal-World is the only area media outlet to be recognized.

In fact, the LJW Website, LJWorld.com, is a finalist in six separate categories for a site with under one million unique monthly visitors. (Link to entire list)

Now in its 17th year, this international contest honors the best media-affiliated websites across 30 diverse categories,” notes E & P. “The awards also recognize excellence in college and university journalism in three different categories, including Best College Newspaper Website.”

Winners will be announced October 30.

Each entry was judged on its own merits within a particular category. Finalists must receive a score in the top one third of the average score across all categories within their division (1 million and over unique monthly visitors and under 1 million unique monthly visitors). As a result, there may be no winner in categories not reaching this threshold.

Below are the six areas the LJW is a finalist:

Best Daily Newspaper Website with under 1 million unique monthly visitors  

Best Sports Website  with under 1 million unique monthly visitors  

Best Community Service on a Media-Affiliated Website with under 1 million unique monthly visitors      

 Best Investigative/Enterprise Feature on a Website  with under 1 million unique monthly visitors  

Best News Video with under 1 million unique monthly visitors

Best Business Blog with under 1 million unique monthly visitors