Magazine is the winner of the 2013 Utne Media Award for General Excellence. Now in its 24th year of celebrating the best in independent publishing, Utne Reader chose YES! Christian Williams, editor-in-chief of Utne Reader, said of the recognition, “YES! Magazine’s message of hope and optimism is both inspiring and essential in these uncertain times.”In its forthcoming July/August issue announcing the 2013 Utne Media Award winners, Utne Reader notes: “Despite the precarious state of independent publishing these days, YES! Jo Ellen Kaiser, executive director of The Media Consortium, a national network of more than 60 leading independent journalism organizations, including YES!