RADIO STATIONS
Radio stations newscast, breaking news or continuing coverage, all markets
First Place
“UnitedHealthcare CEO Gunned Down in Manhattan”
Bloomberg Radio staff
Bloomberg Radio
Judges’ comments: Bloomberg breaks this story. Host and producer(s) pull in only sources who’ll speak to the facts — not speculation. A shocking turn of events laid out in calm and measured fashion and done live.
Second Place
“Why did a sniper take the shot that killed a toddler?”
Sam Zeff
KCUR and The Midwest Newsroom
Third Place
“Lives affected by the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse”
On the Record
WYPR Radio
Radio stations feature and human interest story, all markets
First Place
“Mr. Duncan’s Disciples”
Chicago Sun-Times and WBEZ
Lauren FitzPatrick and Araceli Gomez-Aldana
Judges’ comments: Lauren FitzPatrick, an enterprising Chicago Sun-Times reporter, stops in a record store and is drawn to an old album cover. Discovering the performers were local high school students, she decides to look for them and discovers a beautiful story that lives on long after they graduated.
Second Place
“Tubman Marker Incorrect”
John Lee
WYPR Radio
Third Place
“Smooth and straight — and now sick?”
Natalie Moore and Ariel Van Cleave
WBEZ Chicago
Radio stations documentary or public affairs
First Place
“Baltimore’s Summer Youth Engagement Strategy In Focus”
WBAL-AM staff
WBAL-AM
Judges’ comments: A carefully documented, enlightening and ultimately encouraging chronicle of how Baltimore is attempting to end the cycle of violence that has impacted the lives of residents. Excellent use of relevant interviews and on-site reporting. Also, the multipart program concludes with a thoughtful evaluation of results.
Second Place
“The Breakthrough of ’48: When Civil Rights Won the White House”
MPR News staff
MPR News
Third Place
“Talking Sense: A year of helping Minnesotans have hard political conversations better”
MPR News staff
MPR News
Radio stations news series
First Place
“Unsolved”
St. Louis Public Radio, APM Reports and The Marshall Project staff
St. Louis Public Radio, APM Reports and The Marshall Project
Judges’ comments: This investigative series is extensively reported and well researched, successfully detailing why many murders go unsolved in St. Louis and why the police need to address weaknesses inside their department. The scope of coverage addresses racial divides as well as law enforcement staffing issues, with action taken by the producing team to legally challenge for the release of police records that shed light on faults prompting significant push for change.
Second Place
“Washout: Our Vanishing Beaches”
Alex Nunes, Luis Hernandez, Olivia Ebertz, Joe Tasca and Mareva Lindo
The Public’s Radio and Rhode Island PBS
Third Place
“Trouble by the water: Minnesota’s vanishing natural lakeshores”
MPR News staff
MPR News
Broadcast radio networks and syndicators newscast, breaking news or continuing coverage
First Place and BEST IN SHOW
“Uncovering the Death Penalty”
Chiara Eisner, Noah Caldwell, Monika Evstatieva and Robert Little
NPR
Judges’ comments: This continuing coverage series diligently goes behind the scenes of the death penalty today, through detailed reporting, strong storytelling, and exclusive interviews with death row inmates, including one inmate who was put to death just hours after the interview. Disproportionate “botched” lethal injections across racial disparities and experimental procedures some consider unconstitutional and inhumane are addressed through reporting on research findings, direct eyewitness observations, and opinions for family members of both the convicted inmates and their victims on the precipice of legally imposed mortal justice.
Second Place
“Costs of the Collapse”
Marketplace staff
Marketplace
Third Place
“Biden Drops Out”
ABC News staff
ABC News
Broadcast radio networks and syndicators feature and human interest or documentary
First Place
“Asking Appalachia: Coal, Trump and the Politics of Eastern Kentucky”
Scott Tong, Catherine Welch and Matt Reed
WBUR
Judges’ comments: WBUR does a magnificent job of deconstructing the “why” behind Kentucky voters who depending on elements such as class, jobs, drugs, xenophobia — to name a few — can seem perfectly contradictory to citizens’ own welfare when it comes to politics and voting. Not only is this great journalism but it’s not hard to identify with some of the reasoning reported in this story.
Second Place
“Shrinking Options for Abortion Access in the Military”
Steve Walsh
WHRO, NPR and American Homefront
Third Place
“Start Here: Forever Chemicals”
ABC News staff
ABC News
TELEVISION
Broadcast or cable television stations newscast
First Place
“KOCO 5 News at 5 p.m.”
KOCO-TV staff
KOCO-TV, Hearst Television
Judges’ comments: Through a series of reports taking nine field reporters to different counties and towns, KOCO covered the aftermath of a weekend of devastating severe weather and 22 confirmed tornadoes from which thousands worked to pick up the pieces. Stories and interviews described the terror and chaos during touchdowns as well as the realizations of lives lost in an instant. This newscast was unrelenting in its multilevel coverage from big-picture to “boots on the ground,” including clear explanations of impact differences as a result of the experienced EF-scale tornadoes, how to help those in need, and how officials at the local and national levels were responding for assistance.
Second Place
“Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 at 6 p.m.”
WTAE staff
WTAE
Third Place
“NewsCenter 5 at 6 p.m.: Campus Tensions Flare”
WCVB Staff
WCVB
Broadcast or cable television stations coverage of a live breaking news event
First Place
“Breaking News: Camp Small Fire”
11 News Team
WBAL-TV News
Judges’ comments: This extensive coverage of the Baltimore fires that began at Camp Small offered a thorough examination of the multiple fires. Reporters captured the many angles, from water supply challenges to navigating the roads in the fire’s aftermath – real information that viewers needed. It had some great, vivid reporting, including on-the-ground and even water-based perspectives. Everyone involved in the team coverage showed the impact of the fire as they highlighted the unprecedented actions taken by city leaders.
Second Place
“Amber Alert Leads to Death Investigation”
WMUR News Staff
WMUR-TV
Third Place
“Trump Assassination Attempt”
WTAE staff
WTAE
Broadcast or cable television stations continuing coverage of a single news event
First Place
“Key Bridge Collapse”
11 News Team
WBAL-TV News
Judges’ comments: From the predawn when a cargo ship tore down Baltimore’s Key Bridge to the funerals to the investigation and the departure of the vessel, WBAL kept an intensive focus on developments in the tragedy with revealing reporting and enterprise.
Second Place
“Who Owns Your Newborn DNA?”
Julie Watts, Dennis Lopez and Brian Yuen
CBS News California Investigates
Third Place
“Signatures for Silence”
Ashley Zavala
KCRA
Broadcast or cable television stations feature or human interest story
First Place
“I’m a Fellow”
Jason Marks and Victor Nieto
KCRA
Judges’ comments: This was an amazing look at the 60 or so people who transcribe books for the blind. This piece showcased diverse perspectives, highlighting the dedication and varied backgrounds of those who were really passionate about their work. A key strength of this piece is its focus on the human connection behind the effort to make reading accessible. A powerful title also that speaks to the small group of people who cherish what they do.
Second Place
“One of 1”
Chris Papst
Project Baltimore
Third Place
“Facility Gives ALS Patients Their Independence Back”
Maria Stephanos and Dave Mongeau
WCVB-TV
Broadcast or cable television stations sports story
First Place
“Flagrant Fouls: Behind the Decline of Officials on Long Island”
Newsday staff
Newsday
Judges’ comments: Youth sports officials face a continuous “verbal onslaught” from parents, spectators, and coaches – many examples caught on camera by the production team – which poses an ongoing and worsening challenge for recruiting and keeping officials staffed for games. Through multiple interviews with current officials and coaches, the reporting addresses the litany of challenges both on and off the field, including gauging the climate on social media about games before even setting foot on the field or court. Comprehensive coverage presents local research and national surveys to move the story from anecdotes to clear facts and figures. Some potential solutions are explored beyond the hope of changing human behavior.
Second Place
“The Save”
Duane Pohlman, Holden Robinson, Kevin Barnett and Austin Tanner
WKRC-TV
Third Place
“Manchester United”
GPB Sports staff
GPB Sports
Broadcast or cable television stations public service
First Place
“Policing Phoenix”
Dave Biscobing, Melissa Blasius and Kelsie Blazier
ABC15
Judges’ comments: “Policing Phoenix” is a comprehensive report that required large amounts of data, interviews and video to illustrate the Department of Justice probe into the Phoenix Police Department and explain it to viewers. This report is not just a reporter reading pages from the report. KNXV invested extensive time doing newsgathering and fact-finding to produce this powerful piece. Their incredible work gathering video to match the DOJ report is applauded.
Second Place
“Finding Home: Migrants Navigating Life in New York”
Newsday staff
Newsday
Third Place
“Debt in the Dark”
Chris Vanderveen, Chris Hansen and Aaron Adelson
KUSA
Broadcast or cable television stations documentary or series of reports on the same subject
First Place
“In Plane Sight: The Fix”
Brendan Keefe, Lindsey Basye and Bailey Williams
WANF Atlanta News First
Judges’ comments: This story not only examined what appeared to be an outrageous abuse of power but played a major role in fixing the problem. Through scrupulous and nonsensationalized reporting, the investigators documented abuses by airline employees and federal employees who were allowed to seize cash from innocent passengers under the guise of a practice that assumed anyone carrying a large amount of cash was under suspicion for drug offenses. This two-year investigation ended that practice.
Second Place
“Always Remember Your Name”
Dave Manoucheri, Deirdre Fitzpatrick, Victor Nieto and Emmanuel Chin
KCRA
Third Place
“23 Seconds: A Louisville Mass Shooting”
WAVE Originals
WAVE News
Broadcast or cable television stations investigative reporting
First Place
“Evergreen Recovery – One-to-One Doesn’t Mean One-to-One”
A.J. Lagoe, Gary Knox and Steve Eckert
KARE 11
Judges’ comments: Penetrating any private industry is a struggle rarely aided with FOIA weapons, but KARE manages to pry open shady billing practices at a St. Paul addiction recovery hospital. The owners enjoyed lavish lifestyles while taxpayers foot the bill for therapy and services patients say they never got, for which employees weren’t always compensated, and where other irregularities are commonplace. Whistleblower interviews and an eye-opening impromptu sit-down with the business owners led to state regulators following up KARE’s findings.
Second Place
“Victims of the System”
Walt Kane, Karin Attonito, Anthony Cocco, Jessica Lee and Audrey Gruber
News 12
Third Place
“Exposing Railroad Bridge Inspections”
Paul Van Osdol and Kendall Cross
WTAE
Broadcast or cable television stations business and consumer reporting
First Place
“KARE 11 Investigates: Phantom Fixers”
A.J. Lagoe, Kelly Dietz, Gary Knox and David Peterlinz
KARE 11
Judges’ comments: KARE’s distinguished investigative team delivers another head-turner with national impact. Noticing that a shady company was pirating local home repair websites on Google, sending unlicensed fix-it technicians to do sub-par work and jacking up credit card charges, KARE exposed a scheme that victimized tens of thousands across the country and raked in nearly $80 million in profits. KARE chased the ringleader through two other states and now regulators are on his trail. Every facet of the investigation was pinned down neatly, especially the painstaking data-mining aspects.
Second Place
“Selling Suicide Kits”
Susannah Frame and Kellen Harrel
KING 5 News
Third Place
“NBC 5 Responds Investigates Unsafe School Buses”
PJ Randhawa, Leigh Lesniak and Ronald Zachara
NBC Chicago
Broadcast or cable television stations health, science or environmental reporting
First Place
“Artificial Island Breeds Results for Endangered Birds”
Pete Amorgeanos, Allen Cork II and Paul Gessler
WJZ-TV
Judges’ comments: This broadcast aired on Earth Day, April 22, 2024, and featured a series of rafts, which are deployed every spring to act as a breeding home to several bird species. The artificial island was constructed in response to land loss from rising sea levels, erosion and worsening storms, which have eliminated many breeding islands for common terns, royal terns, and black skimmers. The story is a unique one, with excellent shooting and storytelling.
Second Place
“Breaking Free From Fentanyl”
Victor Nieto, Andrea Flores and Miguel Solorio
KCRA
Third Place
“Broken Birth Control”
Angie Moreschi, Andrea Nejman and Nathan Aaron
Spotlight on America-Sinclair Broadcast Group
Broadcast or cable television stations severe weather or natural disasters reporting
First Place
“KOCO First Alert Weather: Tornado Outbreak”
KOCO-TV staff
KOCO-TV, Hearst Television
Judges’ comments: KOCO meteorologist Damon Lane did a marathon as tornadoes raked Oklahoma, tracking the storms by radar and providing warnings to various towns imperiled by cyclones and analyzing images from Sky 5 transmitted by Chase Rutlege, who provided calm but authoritative narration. KOCO hit just the right tone, somber but not frantic both during the deadly emergency and in the days afterward.
Second Place
“Drought Sparks Wildfires Across Massachusetts”
WCVB Staff
WCVB
No third-place award given
Broadcast television networks, cable networks and syndicators newscast
First Place
“The CBS Evening News with Norah O’Donnell”
CBS Evening News Staff
CBS Evening News
Judges’ comments: An exceptional newscast – especially because it was live and abroad from the unfolding situation in the Red Sea. The front end of the newscast was well-weighted with information about the conflict, complemented by a well-curated selection of important headlines delivered with sharp news judgment. Excellent.
Second Place
“Hallie Jackson Now Coverage of Trump on Trial”
Hallie Jackson Now Staff
NBC News
Third Place
“The Day Donald Trump’s Political and Legal Future Converged”
MSNBC Staff
MSNBC Reports
Broadcast television networks, cable networks and syndicators coverage of a breaking news event
First Place
“The Attempted Assassination of Donald Trump”
ABC News staff
ABC News
Judges’ comments: An outstanding achievement: This entry documents not only the after-the-fact analysis but the thoughtful and cautious real-time reporting of the incident. This was live, as it happened, and the coverage is remarkable not only for its depth but its restraint. ABC News must also be complimented for its tenacity in calmly standing its ground and continuing coverage while there was no certainty that the danger had been contained.
Second Place
“Biden Steps Down”
ABC News staff
ABC News
Third Place
“Hurricane Milton Breaking News Coverage”
Staffs of Hallie Jackson Now, Top Story with Tom Llamas, Stay Tuned Now & NBC News Special Reports
NBC News
Broadcast television networks, cable networks and syndicators continuing coverage of a major news event
First Place
“The Fall of Assad in Syria”
Richard Engel, Gabe Joselow, Engel Unit Staff and the NBC News Staff
NBC News
Judges’ comments: A striking combination of careful analysis and on-the-spot coverage of a deadly, chaotic situation. Engel’s talents in weaving narrative and action provide viewers insight into what is happening and why it matters. Photography is striking, and conveys the churning chaos of the fall of the Assad regime. What makes this outstanding is a mix of drama that doesn’t try to be dramatic and presentation of complex information in a way that is not pedantic.
Second Place
“Continuing Coverage of Baltimore Bridge Collapse”
Top Story with Tom Llamas Staff
NBC News Now
Third Place
“Inside Syria: Assad Overthrown”
ABC News staff
ABC News
Broadcast television networks, cable networks and syndicators feature or human interest story
First Place
“CBS Sunday Morning: Civil War Veteran Honored”
Rand Morrison, Bill Whitaker, Jack Weingart and Ed Givnish
CBS News
Judges’ comments: Bill Whitaker’s inspiring report occurs at the intersection of two families separated by race, distance and centuries of time in solving the mystery of a slave who took up arms for the Union in the Civil War, and the jarring revelation of finding his remains and moving them to a fitting place of honor. One Headliners judge reported goosebumps while viewing this story.
Second Place
“One Woman’s Frontline”
Scripps News Staff
Scripps News
Third Place
“The Last Heroes of Normandy”
ABC World News Tonight with David Muir staff
ABC News
Broadcast television networks, cable networks and syndicators sports story
First Place
“SC Featured: The 6-Year Plan”
Alexandra Nolen and John Fornaro
ESPN
Judges’ comments: “The 6-Year Plan” follows a group of young female basketball players guided by the late Kobe Bryant’s vision for them to play together through high school. His mentorship program was designed to develop their skills, teamwork and character over six years. This mini-documentary highlights how the players honor the memory of Kobe and his daughter, Gianna, by carrying out his plan, staying united as a team and striving for greatness both on and off the court. In a powerful display of their hard work, the film chronicles the team’s journey to win a state championship, showcasing their dedication and Bryant’s lasting influence.
Second Place
“SC Featured: I Just Want to Play Baseball”
Barry Abrams
ESPN
Third Place
“SC Featured: Mongo”
Joshua Vorensky
ESPN
Broadcast television networks, cable networks and syndicators documentary or series of reports on the same subject
First Place
“Notes of Protest: Afghanistan’s Orchestra in Exile”
Richard Engel, Marc Smith, Gabe Joselow, Ian Sherwood, Michael Fiorentino, Engel Unit Staff and NBC News Staff
NBC News NOW
Judges’ comments: Sometimes it’s not just practice that gets you to Carnegie Hall. NBC artfully presents the story of students and their teacher from a music school in Afghanistan, who fled the country after the Taliban declared studying, playing and listening to music is a crime. Facing all manner of challenges including an attempted suicide bomber attack, no one is left behind as the school group travels the world pursuing their musical dreams amidst unsettling circumstances. NBC provides essential history, striking and emotional interviews, and a somber yet hopeful tone throughout this story.
Second Place
“Beyond Lockup: Inside ‘Prisneyland'”
Steve Patterson, PJ Tobia, Julia Lee and Staff
NBC News
Third Place
“E60: 28 Outs”
ESPN staff
ESPN
Broadcast television networks, cable networks and syndicators investigative report
First Place and BEST IN SHOW
“Dealing the Dead”
Staff of NBC Nightly News and NBC News Digital
NBC News
Judges’ comments: It’s clear that this investigation into the unregulated body-broker industry was an extensive effort. The relentless search for victims and their families not only exposed the issue but also helped some families actually find missing loved ones. This report reshaped this industry, demonstrating the power of journalism and its far-reaching impact.
Second Place
“ABC News Investigates: Zombie Wells: The Threat Beneath”
ABC News Investigates staff
ABC News
Third Place
“The Whistleblower: A Window into the Indian Farmed Shrimp Industry”
Staff of NBC News Investigations and The Outlaw Ocean Project
NBC News NOW
Broadcast television networks, cable networks and syndicators news magazine program
First Place
“60 Minutes: Welcome to the Wedding”
Bill Owens, Jon Wertheim, Draggan Mihailovich, Emily Cameron and Matthew Lev
CBS News
Judges’ comments: The story is a stand out because of the extensive research and attention to detail. It resonated emotionally and was produced in a way that felt like a movie. The storytelling was solid and the effort made to locate the people to help talk about this huge wedding ruse was exceptional. This segment was also produced in a way by a soldier that kept my attention and showed a sense of humanity and connection where hundreds of lives were saved.
Second Place
“Celine’s Story: An NBC News Special with Hoda Kotb”
NBC Dateline Staff
NBC News
Third Place
“ABC News 20/20: Follow the Fingerprints”
ABC News staff
ABC News
Broadcast television networks, cable networks and syndicators business and consumer reporting
First Place
“Trashed: The Secret World of Plastic Exports”
Staff of ABC News Investigates
ABC News
Judges’ comments: This report provides an insightful analysis of a universally significant issue. It is evident that considerable time and global travel were invested in accurately documenting and reporting the story. The plan was meticulously developed to include plastic bags that followed various paths, resulting in different outcomes. The research, video footage, graphics and reporting synergized seamlessly, offering viewers a comprehensive account. Nice work!
Second Place
“Data-Driven”
Rachel DePompa, Daniela Molina, Daniel Heffner, Jamie Grey and Lee Zurik
InvestigateTV
Third Place
“Selling Stolen “
Courtney Reagan, Gabrielle Fonrouge, Scott Zamost and David Lettieri
CNBC
Broadcast television networks, cable networks and syndicators health, science or environmental reporting
First Place
“Fentanyl: The Silent Toll”
Scripps News Staff
Scripps News
Judges’ comments: This broadcast demonstrated a thorough examination of an important and under-reported issue. After reading multiple news stories of child fatalities related to fentanyl around the country, Scripps News began an exclusive, intensive, national investigative reporting project, using original data, to track trends in the deaths of babies, toddlers and young children and to shine light on life-saving solutions. The resulting coverage is an example of investigative journalism at its best.
Second Place
“Ozempic Underworld: The Black Market Of Obesity Drugs”
Melissa Lee, Scott Zamost and David Lettieri
CNBC
Third Place
“Twice Harmed: Asylum Seekers Face Sexual Violence and Abortion Bans”
Paola Ramos, Kay Guerrero and Team
MSNBC
Broadcast television networks, cable networks and syndicators profile
First Place
“CBS Sunday Morning: Jelly Roll”
Rand Morrison, Kelefa Sanneh, Alan Golds, Aria Shavelson and Ed Givnish
CBS News
Judges’ comments: A layered portrait of one of country music’s reigning monarchs, Jelly Roll, is a powerful blend of talent, redemption and, yes, ego.
Second Place
“SC Featured: Pete’s Legacy”
Danny Arruda
ESPN
Third Place
“Sunday Sitdown with Billy Joel”
Willie Geist, Hannah Van Winkle, Joseph Andre and Akira Fukui
NBC