RADIO STATIONS
Radio stations newscast, all markets
First Place
“KCBS Morning News, 10/24/19”
KCBS Staff
KCBS
Judge’s comments: This well-paced newscast covers California’s Kincaid Fire and reports on its destructive impacts on the area and its residents. Regular updates from reporters on the scene compliment official information to keep listeners up to speed on rapidly changing conditions. On-the-scene reports, actualities, interviews with citizens and officials, create a vivid sense of the disruption and destruction produced by this disastrous event.
Second Place
“July 8, 2019 10 a.m.”
WTOP Staff
WTOP
Third Place
“August 2, 2019 Texas Standard Newscast”
Texas Standard Staff
Texas Standard
Radio stations breaking news or continuing coverage of a single news event
First Place
“FBI Raids Mayor Pugh’s Home”
WBAL-AM Staff
WBAL-AM
Judges’ comments: Beginning with the early morning report of activity at the Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh’s home, WBL NewsRadio was among first area news outlets to report on an FBI early morning raid on the mayor’s residence. Reporter Scott Wykoff was at the Mayor’s home less than 20 minutes after the story broke and among the first to file a live report. The news team worked quickly to gather reaction from local leaders, including the City Council President. The WBAL news team, tapped into its collective knowledge of the city and their connections with local officials to quickly pull together reaction and the latest information about this rapidly developing situation.
Second Place
“Capitol Crises”
WTOP Staff
Third Place
“Days of Wind And Fire”
KCBS Radio Staff
KCBS
Radio stations feature and human interest story, all markets
First Place
“Rock Creek Rescue”
Megan Cloherty
WTOP
Judges’ comments: This is a riveting and fascinating story about a WTOP Staffer that becomes a hero after saving a woman who had fallen into an icy, life-threatening Rock Creek. His serendipitous timing of a photograph led to a happenstance rescue that saved her life. This broadcast takes the listener to the scene of the rescue to recreate the event.
Second Place
“Translating Is An Art: Behind The Scenes At Telemundo’s Spanish Broadcast Of First Miami Debate”
Alexander Gonzalez
WLRN
Third Place
“Realism and Rebellion”
Sara Fishko, Olivia Briley, Wayne Shulmister and Karen Frillmann
WNYC
Radio stations documentary or public affairs
First Place and BEST IN SHOW
“City On Fire: Chicago Race Riot 1919”
Natalie Moore, Jeremy McCarter and Mikhail Fiksel
WBEZ
Judges’ comments: This documentary recounts the harrowing events and painful legacy of the 1919 Chicago Race Riots by creatively fusing drama into the reporting, both captivating and educating the listener. This reporter interjects much life into the drama of this look back in history. She wrote the script for this re-creation by the actors. This is innovation that grabs the attention of those turned off by “the news.”
Second Place
“Selling Kids: Human Trafficking in Alabama”
Pat Duggins, Stan Ingold and Tina Turner
Alabama Public Radio
Third Place
“Highway to the Moon: How Texas Paved the Way for Apollo”
Texas Standard Staff
Texas Standard
Radio stations news series
First Place
“West Texas Illegal Dumping Woes”
Jill Ament
Texas Standard
Judges’ comments: The Texas Standard is thorough in its reporting of a subject — illegal dumping — that most people take for granted and/or ignore. It is an eye-opening report that unearths the devastating impact this practice imposes on the environment and local communities. The Standard’s comprehensive investigation reports that even law enforcement and government leaders are being re-educated about dumping’s effects on communities. And just as importantly, the reporting ends with a discussion of potential solutions.
Second Place
“The Fog of Espionage”
J.J. Green
WTOP
Third Place
“Broken Systems”
Stan Bunger and KCBS Staff
KCBS Radio
Broadcast radio networks and syndicators newscast
First Place
“10/28/19 11 a.m. Network Newscast”
ABC News Radio Staff
ABC News Radio
Judges’ comments: Every word counts in this punchy, impactful newscast. Powerful wild sound, crisp editing, and precise newswriting provide the listener insight in a hurry.
Second Place
“CBS World News Roundup”
Steve Kathan, Steve Futterman, Jim Krasula and Paul Farry
CBS World News
Third Place
“America in the Morning”
Westwood One News Staff
Westwood One
Broadcast radio networks and syndicators breaking news or continuing coverage
First Place
“Mass Shootings in El Paso and Dayton”
Westwood One News Staff
Westwood One
Judges’ comments: Two mass shootings in a span of a weekend. Even though stories like this seem almost ubiquitous, it can still be difficult to report the newest of the latest incident. Yet Westwood One does this with the El Paso and Dayton shootings by capturing — in real time — the humanity of the incidents on opposite sides of the country. Extremely moving and dramatic, this coverage captures the attention and emotions of its listeners.
Second Place
“California is Burning”
ABC News Radio Staff
ABC News Radio
Third Place
“Jeffrey Epstein Coverage”
ABC News Radio Staff
ABC News Radio
Broadcast radio networks and syndicators feature and human interest story
First Place
“NHL Dentists”
Brad Mielke ABC News
Judges’ comments: Beautifully produced ESPN story about team dentists for hockey teams. Action sound from games and music beds interspersed with quick comments and voiceover result in a wonderful, informative and entertaining short feature.
Second Place
“Woodstock”
Steve Futterman
CBS News Radio
Third Place
“Migrant Produce Pickers”
Jason Nathanson
ABC News Radio
Broadcast radio networks and syndicators documentary or public affairs
First Place
“Under a Watchful Eye”
Jill Barshay and Sasha Aslanian
The Hechinger Report & APM Reports
Judges’ comments: Is there nothing technology isn’t changing? The Hechinger Report documentary reminds us that higher education is a business. Success and failure are normal attributes. One of the latest trends on college and university campuses is predictive analytics. It has the potential to positively change outcomes for some. Thanks to this reporting, institutions around the world are exploring whether they’ll get on the bandwagon.
Second Place
“1939: America on the Eve of War”
Westwood One News Staff
Westwood One
Third Place
“Homewreckers”
Aaron Glantz, Katharine Mieszkowski and Deborah George
The Center for Investigative Reporting
Broadcast radio networks and syndicators news series
First Place
“The New Cybercrime Boom”
Martin Kaste
National Public Radio
Judges’ comments: Digital fraudsters are looming and this story does a fantastic job of explaining what it is and how it can happen. But the best thing it does is offer some solutions to the problem. Consumers — and that’s practically all of us at one time or another — need more stories like this. Present the issue and tell us what we can do about it.
Second Place
“Faith Under Fire”
Pierre Thomas and Tara Gimbel
ABC News
Third Place
“Apollo 11”
Peter King
CBS News Radio
TELEVISION
Broadcast or cable television stations newscast
First Place
“12 News at 6pm: Police Protest”
Kacie Talamante and Matt Wendt
KPNX 12 News
Judges’ comments: Balanced, careful and thoughtful exploration of an incident of alleged police brutality. Cool-headed journalism provided clear insights into both sides of the story, incorporating person-on-the-street interviews with perceptive questioning of officials, activists, and witnesses.
Second Place
“News 4 at 11 – Jersey City Shootout”
Evan Stulberger
WNBC
Third Place
“NewsCenter 5 at 6pm: Worcester Firefighter’s Death, Heroic Acts”
WCVB Staff
WCVB
Broadcast or cable television stations coverage of a live breaking news event
First Place and BEST IN SHOW
“The Kincade Fire: Battle to Save Alexander Valley”
Katie Nielsen, Bob Horn, Devin Fehely and KPIX Staff
KPIX-TV
Judges’ comments: We all want to see the “big picture,” but sometimes the “small picture tells a different story. Here is a close-up, house by house recounting of the battle for a rapidly spreading fire. Mesmerizing. I’ve seen lots of fire footage but this really brings it home.\
Second Place
“News 4 New York: Jersey City Shootout”
WNBC Staff
WNBC
Third Place
“Imelda’s Wrath” KPRC 2 News Staff
KPRC 2
Broadcast or cable television stations continuing coverage of a single news event
First Place
“The Secret Foundation”
Bill Sheil, Mary Stiene and Chris Reece
WJW-TV
Judges’ comments: A reasoned and reasonable examination of expenditures in higher education. Dogged pursuit of an important story that set an important precedent. Sober presentation. Not hyped, not oversold.
Second Place
“Where is Home?”
Carolyn Sachse, Chris Papst, Dwayne Myers and Jed Gamber
WBFF-TV
Third Place
“Inconceivable”
Chris Vanderveen, Corky Scholl and Chris Hansen
KUSA-TV
Broadcast or cable television stations feature, sports or human interest story
First Place
“Journalists Matter”
Joy Lambert and Alanna Delfino
WBFF
Judges’ comments: A year following the deadly attack at the Capital Gazette a photojournalist who was there at the time describes his photo project to honor the journalists who were slain, and speaks with emotion about the tragic events, the journalists died, and their loved ones as he leafs through haunting black and white photos of those who perished and their loved ones.
Second Place
“‘Til Death Do Us Part”
Karen Meyers and Chris Shepherd
WMUR
Third Place
“Impact: Waiting For a Heart”
William Pitts and Phillip Mathews
KPNX 12 News
Broadcast or cable television stations public service
First Place
“Project Community: Shining Light on Mental Health”
WMUR News Staff
WMUR
Judges’ comments: A mix of packaged reporting and testimonial interviews detail the personal tragedies resulting from mental health issues, but also the stories of those who sought help and are seeking to change the stigmas associated with mental illness care. Content covers a wide range of factors and populations – from the typical everyday adult to teens succumbing to the pressures of life and social media influences, to police officers suffering from PTSD, and even those incarcerated and needing rehabilitation support and specific healthcare more than criminal punishment.
Second Place
“KARE 11 Investigates: Mission Critical”
A.J. Lagoe, Steve Eckert, Gary Knox and Staff
KARE 11
Third Place
“Unlocked and Unsafe”
ABC15 Staff
ABC15
Broadcast or cable television stations documentary or series of reports on the same subject
First Place
“Abuse of Force”
ABC15 Staff
ABC15
Judges’ comments: ABC15 reveals a shocking series of police encounters based on brutality and even sadistic conduct. Layer by layer, the station dug into the arrests of problem officers and using body cameras and other security video presented an astonishing picture of a department out of control in Glendale, Ariz. ABC15’s ceaseless reporting resulted in a federal probe of the department, which had all but ignored problem cops for years.
Second Place
“Sam Sheppard: Case Closed”
Bill Sheil, Carrie Largent and Dave Arnold
WJW-TV
Third Place
“Off Track: Examining California’s High-Speed Rail Project”
Stephen Stock, Kevin Nious and Michael Horn
NBC Bay Area\KNTV
Broadcast or cable television stations investigative reporting
First Place
“The Rape Law Loophole”
Chris Glorioso and Evan Stulberger
WNBC
Judges’ comments: This segment reveals the loophole that many women faced when trying to bring attention to their rapes. This hard hitting piece examined what consent is if someone was under the influence and unable to give any explicit consent. The reporter followed women providing intimate details of their experiences. Legislators, including the governor of New York, took note to finally change the law so that women and men could formally file charges. An especially timely piece in the #metoo era where what is consent is literally on trial in cases from Harvey Weinstein and on.
Second Place
“Fooling the Feds”
Jeff Keene, Carolyn Sachse, Chris Papst, Dwayne Myers and Jed Gamber
WBFF-TV
Third Place
“5 Investigates: Police Powers, No Accountability or Training Required”
Karen Anderson, Kevin Rothstein and David Hurlburt
WCVB
Broadcast or cable television stations business and consumer reporting
First Place
“Up in Flames: Investigating the Cause of Kia and Hyundai Fires”
Jackie Callaway, Matt McGlashen and Erin Smith
WFTS-TV/ABC Action News
Judges’ comments: This is a major piece … lots of work into an important subject. If you believe the reporting, the Senate started probe based on this station’s reporting. Good video, too. Lots of factual backup and documentation. Got some statements of the company at the end…also concluded with specific advice on what to do.
Second Place
“Kane In Your Corner: Robocalls”
Karin Attonito, Anthony Cocco and Walt Kane
News 12 New Jersey
Third Place
“Carolina Impact / Camp North End: (Re)Making History”
Jeff Sonier and Doug Stacker
WTVI PBS Charlotte
Broadcast or cable television stations health/science reporting
First Place
“A Disturbing Diagnosis”
Chris Vanderveen and Anna Hewson
KUSA-TV
Judges’ comments: Tainted DNA tests lead a young Colorado woman to an unneeded and unwanted hysterectomy, a story compassionately and tastefully told, with a tragic twist — such contaminated samples occur 1 to 2 percent of the time.
Second Place
“Lessons from a Preschool Cell Tower”
Julie Watts, Dennis Lopez and KOVR Staff
KOVR
Third Place
“May Thurner Syndrome”
Mindy Basara, Chuck Cochran and James Searles
WBAL-TV
Broadcast or cable television stations environmental reporting
First Place
“Left in the Dust”
Tony Plohetski and Brian Bell
KVUE-TV
Judges’ comments: This is a well-balanced, thorough investigative report on the exponential growth of quarries in Texas as a result of the oil boom. The reporters do a wonderful job of presenting both sides of the argument, exploring the pros and cons of regulation and the tradeoff between quarries’ contribution to jobs and economic development versus environmental degradation. The report covers the many legal and political conflicts being carried out in state courts and the legislature. This was also an excellent example of journalists enacting change as the station brought together all the major stakeholders – state regulators, business interests, environmentalists, and citizens, to a community deliberation on the issue.
Second Place
“Bald Eagles’ Path to Recovery”
Stephanie Jarvis and Mary Fecteau
Ideastream
Third Place
“Warming Ocean, Changing Lives”
Tracy Sinclare and Beth Verge
KTUU-TV
Broadcast television networks, cable networks and syndicators newscast
First Place
“World News Tonight with David Muir – June 5th 2019 Reporting from Normandy”
World News Tonight with David Muir Staff
ABC News
Judges’ comments: A fast-moving newscast that leads with a touching story about WWII veterans reunited for the 75th anniversary of the Normandy invasion. Beautiful video, tight production, and great dignity afforded to an important story.
Second Place
“The CBS Evening News with Norah O’Donnell: July 17, 2019 broadcast”
CBS Evening News Staff
CBS Evening News
Third Place
“CBS This Morning: October 24, 2019 Broadcast”
CBS This Morning Staff
CBS This Morning
Broadcast television networks, cable networks and syndicators coverage of a major news event
First Place
“PBS NewsHour Weekend: Mass Shootings in Dayton, Ohio & El Paso, Texas”
Dana Roberson, PBS NewsHour Weekend Staff
PBS NewsHour Weekend
Judges’ comments: A straightforward wrap of the horrific events reported with poise and dignity. Viewers emerge with a clear understanding of the events. In addition, the reporting took advantage of experts from local media, avoiding the cliche of dropping in an anchor. Special attention is paid to the emergence of social networks of the type that may have played a role in prompting one of the gunmen to wage the massacre.
Second Place
“ABC News: California Burning”
ABC News Staff
ABC News
Third Place
“ABC News: Notre Dame Inferno”
ABC News Staff
ABC News
Broadcast television networks, cable networks and syndicators continuing coverage of a major news event
First Place
“Richard Engel Continuing Coverage, Syria 2019”
Richard Engel, Marc Smith, Randall Brown, Ian Sherwood and Engel Unit Staff
NBC News/MSNBC
Judges’ comments: Insightful, informative, and courageous coverage of a complex story. Some interesting angles – and some that are probably unique – coupled with fine photography and innovative story-telling.
Second Place
“CBS This Morning: The Life and Death of Jeffrey Epstein”
CBS This Morning Staff
CBS This Morning
Third Place
“ABC News: Notre Dame Inferno”
ABC News Staff
ABC News
Broadcast television networks, cable networks and syndicators feature, sports or human interest
First Place
“World News Tonight with David Muir & Nightline – Return to Normandy”
ABC News Staff
ABC News
Judges’ comments: ABC follows World War II vets on an emotional trip back to the beaches of Normandy. The men — who had not met before they returned for the 75th anniversary of the landing — recount the terror, tragedy, and heroism. Production is astonishingly creative, featuring juxtaposition of old photos and historical film with their present-day recollections. Moving and visually stunning.
Second Place
“Nightline – Mexico: The Disappeared”
Nightline Staff
Nightline
Third Place
“CBS Sunday Morning: Final Entry”
Jim Axelrod, Wendy Krantz and Heather Spinelli
CBS News
Broadcast television networks, cable networks and syndicators documentary or series of reports on the same subject
First Place
“American Betrayal”
Richard Engel, Tim Gallagher, Leon Ferguson, Marc Smith, Ian Sherwood and the On Assignment with Richard Engel Staff
NBC News/MSNBC
Judges’ comments: NBC’s Richard Engel is on the ground in Syria as US troops stand down and pull out of the area, leaving its allies in the war on ISIS – the Kurds – at the mercy of a violent Turkish invasion. A brief history lesson in the US-Kurdish alliance in Middle East conflicts gives way to breaking news when the strike on Abu Bakr Al Baghdadi reignites US-foreign relation tensions and criticism. At times the visuals are strikingly cinematic in an otherwise war-torn land; the editing is tight but breathes appropriately; audio of fired bullets serve as bullet points for detail, and story punctuation.
Second Place
“ABC News – 1969: The FBI and the Panther”
ABC News Staff
ABC News
Third Place
“NBC News Group’s Justice For All”
NBC News Group Staff
NBC News Group
Broadcast television networks, cable networks and syndicators investigative report
First Place
“CBS News: Healthcare Fraud in America”
Jim Axelrod, Dr. Jon LaPook and the CBS News Investigative Unit
CBS News
Judges’ comments: CBS News uncovered a vast scheme to get the Medicare numbers of unsuspecting seniors and charge their accounts for thousands of dollars of needless tests. It followed the trail to a parking garage in Houston, where it confronted the doctor who enabled the scam. A few days later, CBS was in the parking lot when federal authorities arrived to arrest the doctor as a result of the reports.
Second Place
“Zone Rouge: An army of children toils in African mines”
Cynthia McFadden, Christine Romo, Lisa Cavazuti and Bill Angelucci
NBC News Investigations
Third Place
“Prime Risk”
Will Evans, Rachel de Leon and Adam Raney
Reveal from The Center for Investigative Reporting and PBS NewsHour
Broadcast television networks, cable networks and syndicators news magazine program
First Place
“20/20 President Trump: 30 Hours”
ABC News Staff
ABC News
Judges’ comments: Media have access to people the average person can’t even get close to — such as the president of the United States. This interview is a perfect example of why this is so important. And the benefit to the public includes being able to see and hear for themselves the questions and responses and just how the interview process works.
Second Place
“Unchecked Evil”
Justin Smith, Izhar Harpaz and Allison Orr
NBC Universal – Dateline
Third Place
“CBS Sunday Morning: A Sunday Morning in Florence”
Jane Pauley, Jon Carras and David Bhagat
CBS News
Broadcast television networks, cable networks and syndicators business and consumer reporting
First Place
“CBS Sunday Morning: Made in the USA”
John Blackstone, Dustin Stephens and Emanuele Secci
CBS News
Judges’ comments: Diligent and intelligent reporting showing why it is difficult — but not impossible — for a manufacturer to make and source a product from entirely within the U.S. An palatable economics lesson in the workings of the supply chain, showing how one enterprising entrepreneur is attempting to revive the U.S. apparel-manufacturing industry through a series of small victories.
Second Place
“How Social Casinos Leverage Facebook User Data to Target Vulnerable Gamblers”
Nathan Halverson, David Ritsher and Richard Coolidge
Reveal from The Center for Investigative Reporting and PBS NewsHour
Third Place
“Missed Opportunity”
Lee Zurik, Megan Luther, Owen Hornstein and Jamie Grey
InvestigateTV
Broadcast television networks, cable networks and syndicators health/science reporting
First Place
“Under Attack”
Joce Sterman, Alex Brauer and Max McClellan
Spotlight on America
Judges’ comments: Health care workers are being violently attacked by their patients in rising numbers, a story told through the victims and shocking video collected by reporters in a surprising and well-produced presentation.
Second Place
“Tainted Drugs”
Brenda Breslauer, Stephanie Gosk, Didi Martinez, Katie Boyle and Robert Kaplan
NBC News Investigative Unit
Third Place
“CBS Sunday Morning: In Their Lane”
Jonathan LaPook, Dustin Stephens and Lauren Barnello
CBS News
Broadcast television networks, cable networks and syndicators environmental reporting
First Place
“Climate change pushes Florida’s mangroves north”
Dana Roberson, Hari Sreenivasan, Sam Weber, Connie Kargbo, Lisa Overton and Judith Starr-Wolff
PBS NewsHour Weekend
Judges’ comments: This story highlights a unique and perhaps surprising side effect of climate change- the proliferation of mangroves, trees that benefit ecosystems and actually stem global warming by storing carbon. PBS applies a critical lens to examine this phenomenon along Florida’s east coast, sharing some unsuspecting ecological changes in a warming world.
Second Place
“NBC News Group’s Climate in Crisis”
NBC News Staff
NBC News
Third Place
“Nightline: Journey to the Edge”
Nightline Staff
Nightline