Month August 2025

Stories of Survivors and Captured Moments Win National Storytelling Awards
Stories of human trafficking survivors, a runner getting his life back on track and meaningful moments caught on film earned Pioneer’s team four awards from the National Electric Cooperatives Statewide Editors Association. Go inside the stories to see what resonates with readers.

How to Break Bad News. Twice.
Next year’s shaping up to be challenging, with many Utility Pioneers expecting not just one rate increase, but potentially multiple adjustments. Trying to budget for bad news? Get peer-researched tips from our guide, “How to Talk About Raising Rates.”

Five Years WILD: Celebrating Selfies, Stories and Content that Connects!
What started as a selfie contest to help us feel connected during the pandemic became a celebration of utility storytellers and our evolving content channels. Pioneer’s Content in the Wild contest returns in September with a $50 winner every week. The content is out there. Are you wild enough to find it?

More Than a Corduroy Jacket
Are you planting ideas and growing strong relationships with your agricultural community? Kearsten Kirby, a farm kid turned storyteller on our Pioneer Social team, shares her experience in the National FFA Organization and offers ways for Utility Pioneers to dig into local FFA chapters to connect farming with utility storytelling.