TELEVISION
Broadcast or cable television stations newscast
First Place
“11 News at 5:00 – Stricker Street Fire”
Hannah Hoffman, Don Horner, Doug Monahan and the WBAL-TV 11 News Team
WBAL-TV
Judges’ comments: Newscast with team coverage of fire covered from various compelling angles moving at the pace of the news itself as it unfolded. The newscast was thrown into being live at several locations and getting sound as well as footage that showed the enormity of the fire. As the newscast unfolded, the status of the firefighters was revealed, changing the course of the show. The press conference married to the split screen brought viewers to the scene of what ultimately could be a crime scene because of the condition of the abandoned buildings.
Second Place
“NewsCenter 5 at 6 p.m.: November 21, 2022”
WCVB staff
WCVB
Third Place
“Marengo Plant Explosion KCCI 8 News at 5 p.m.”
KCCI TV staff
KCCI TV
Broadcast or cable television stations coverage of a live breaking news event
First Place
“Breaking News – Stricker Street Fire”
WBAL-TV 11 News Team
WBAL-TV
Judges’ comments: WBAL provided fast and in-depth coverage from multiple angles when firefighters were killed in a row house fire, a tragedy of historic proportions for Baltimore.
Second Place
“Mosquito Fire Threatens Foresthill”
KCRA 3 News Staff
KCRA
Third Place
“Car Crashes Through Apple Store”
WCVB staff
WCVB
Broadcast or cable television stations continuing coverage of a single news event
First Place
“The Search for Harmony Montgomery”
WMUR News Staff
WMUR-TV
Judges’ comments: A compelling look about a missing girl who had not been seen in two years was a compelling mystery that was covered at all angles. The news team gathered excellent video, covered holes in the system, and an exploration of levels of accountability in regard to the state’s child protective services. From beginning to end this continuing news coverage chased a story, gave viewers a mystery, and opened the doors to ultimately solve the case. Records research, locating people, and gathering sound from experts showed the depth and time it took to put these packages together.
Second Place
“MBTA Safety Lapses Trigger Federal Investigation”
WCVB staff
WCVB
Third Place
“Aftermath of the Fern Hollow Bridge Collapse”
WTAE staff
WTAE
Broadcast or cable television stations feature, sports or human interest story
First Place
“Hero of the American River”
KCRA 3 News staff
KCRA
Judges’ comments: In a comic-book-style graphical treatment, this high-energy story provides a glimpse into the daily efforts of a river kayaker to recover sunken treasure – cell phones, watches, and even prosthetic limbs – from the riverbed and return them to their owners. The hero’s personality is well matched with the dynamic use of video and photo media, complemented by effective sound design, earning high marks for informative, entertaining content.
Second Place
“Carolina Impact / Racetrack Revival”
Jeff Sonier and Doug Stacker
WTVI PBS Charlotte
Third Place
“Lowriding: An Expression of Chicano Culture”
KCRA 3 News staff
KCRA
Broadcast or cable television stations public service
First Place and BEST IN SHOW
“Drained”
Lee Zurik, Jon Turnipseed and Dannah Sauer
WVUE-TV
Judges’ comments: WVUE’s crack investigative unit commands our attention annually, but this year’s probe by Lee Zurik into a quirky Louisiana statute that allowed the city of New Orleans and other agencies to ignore court-ordered settlements for eternity was not only shocking in its depth of cruelty, but in its results: Shamed by the Fox affiliate, governing agencies released tens of millions of dollars to deserving victims of malfeasance. Louisiana in general and New Orleans in particular is fortunate to have Zurik and WVUE on guard for public interest.
Second Place
“Stop Mass Shootings: The Search for Solutions”
KXAN Investigates | kxan.com
KXAN
Third Place
“Accountability after Uvalde”
Tony Plohetski and the KVUE News Staff
KVUE-TV
Broadcast or cable television stations documentary or series of reports on the same subject
First Place
“BURNED: Six Hours in December”
Chris Hansen and Chris Vanderveen
KUSA
Judges’ comments: This powerful documentary takes you there, moment by moment, while wildfires burned in the Boulder, Colorado, area. Two people were killed and entire neighborhoods were destroyed in a matter of hours. This documentary tracked the event, using videos posted on social media, police body cameras, and home surveillance cameras. The videos were geotagged to provide moment-by-moment tracking of the fire’s advance. The documentary’s footage also was interspersed with compelling interviews with people affected by the fires. Meanwhile, the report was put together using acquired footage because the station’s open records request for official documentation was denied because the case is under investigation. The reporter did the project anyway, demonstrating journalism at its best.
Second Place
“Lori Jane Gliha Investigates: Teens Getting Guns”
Lori Jane Gliha, Noah Skinner, Steve Wozny and Kevin Burr
FOX31
Third Place
“Still Practicing: Tracking Problem Doctors”
KXAN Investigates
KXAN
Broadcast or cable television stations investigative reporting
First Place
“Outside the Office”
Lee Zurik, Jon Turnipseed and Dannah Sauer
WVUE-TV
Judges’ comments: Just astonishing: The mayor of New Orleans and her bodyguard disappear into a city-owned apartment for hours at a time; no work gets logged and the mayor attacks the station’s reporter as disrespectful when the story comes out. But the station’s intrepid use of public surveillance tapes tell the story with devastating authority.
Second Place
“(dis)Honorable”
Dave Biscobing and the ABC15 Staff
ABC15 Arizona
Third Place
“The Dark Side of Cedar Point”
11 Investigates
WTOL 11
Broadcast or cable television stations business and consumer reporting
First Place
“Wage Theft: When Bosses Don’t Pay”
CBS News Sacramento – CalMatters
CBS News Sacramento
Judges’ comments: Low-wage and minority workers are most likely to be underpaid for their time on the clock, but the CBS Sacramento – CalMatters team uncovers more ways in which California businesses may be shortchanging workers’ paychecks, especially if those workers are unaware of labor laws and employee rights. Even when challenging employers for their due amount, various state systems hinder the process and businesses don’t end up paying out, but the reporting uncovers solutions being piloted with success that could be adopted state-wide, and beyond.
Second Place
“Driver Data for Sale”
Bennett Haeberle and Chris Kettler
WBNS-TV
Third Place
“Supply Chain Woes”
Mark Hyman and Larry Deal
WJLA-TV
Broadcast or cable television stations health/science/pandemic reporting
First Place
“Weight of the Nation”
Mindy Basara and Mike French
WBAL-TV
Judges’ comments: Excellent, high-end production values for writing, shooting, editing and graphics/animations across all aspects of this reporting that in classic TV style keeps the viewer engaged, and constantly hits the “but wait, there’s more” delivery of pertinent content. Obesity is an epidemic, and not a cosmetic issue, with various contributing factors and potential solutions explored. The best “bite” of the five-part series has a medical doctor commenting on the seemingly ridiculous eventuality of companies literally putting food in consumers’ mouths. While the comment is meant as a bit of tongue-in-cheek sarcasm, the reporting shows that based on history, it’s the next step in ease of consumer access to food.
Second Place
“Mentally Ill, Waiting in Jail”
Susannah Frame, Kellen Harrel and Eric Desrosiers
KING TV
Third Place
“Essential: Iowa’s EMS Emergency”
James Stratton
KCCI TV
Broadcast or cable television stations environmental reporting
First Place
“Fallout”
Duane Pohlman, Eric Frisbee and Tim Geraghty
WKRC-TV
Judges’ comments: A testament to the power of journalism, WKRC’s “Fallout” series continues to unveil startling and disturbing findings about the high rates of cancer and illnesses due to the enriched uranium produced at the Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant (PORTS) in Pike County, Ohio. From climbing into a family’s attic to gather evidence of high levels of enriched uranium and then daringly exposing findings of plutonium residue from recycled Soviet nuclear warheads, the reporting sparks ire from government officials. Federal legislators then investigated the Department of Energy’s “cover-up” of the “fallout,” as a result of this reporting.
Second Place
“Living With Forever”
Danny Freeman, Jim O’Donnell and Dan Lee
NBC10/Telemundo62
Third Place
“Forecasting Our Future”
WBAL-TV 11 News Team
WBAL-TV
Broadcast or cable television stations severe weather reporting
First Place
“January Blizzard Wallops Massachusetts”
WCVB staff
WCVB
Judges’ comments: Powerful video and WCVB’s trademark production skills when tested by adversity once again earn it top honors when a blizzard rakes Boston. There’s little “As you can see …” coverage in the station’s arsenal – its far-flung correspondents all come up with an authoritative and unique angle for their outpost.
Second Place
“5.1 Magnitude Quake: Danger on the Fault Lines”
Katie Nielsen, Devin Fehely, Brian Hackney and KPIX-TV Staff
KPIX-TV
Third Place
“March 5th Tornadoes”
KCCI TV staff
KCCI TV
Broadcast television networks, cable networks and syndicators newscast
First Place
“NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt in Lviv, Ukraine: March 7, 2022”
Staff of NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt
NBC News
Judges’ comments: This contest entry puts viewers in a position of being witnesses to current events. In this case, it’s a war and the poignant story of those trying to survive. A reminder of how the war affects those of us thousands of miles away with higher gas costs really brings it home. But there are appropriately brief snippets including the latest about Covid and Bill Cosby, too.
Second Place
“World News Tonight with David Muir: Live from the Ukrainian Border”
World News Tonight with David Muir staff
ABC News
Third Place
“Top Story with Tom Llamas – Uvalde”
Staff of Top Story with Tom Llamas
NBC News NOW / MSNBC
Broadcast television networks, cable networks and syndicators coverage of a major news event
First Place
“Breaking News: Hurricane Ian”
NBC News/MSNBC staff
NBC News/MSNBC
Judges’ comments: The network placed reporters in Florida’s cities of Naples, Sarasota, St. Petersburg, Tampa, Orlando, and Punta Gorda to show the effects of Hurricane Ian on the area – as it was happening. The report featured powerful footage of storm surge in Naples, showing cars floating in the streets. Reporters were being lifted off their feet in the wind. Later, there were interviews with residents affected by the storm in its aftermath. This breaking news coverage featured very compelling footage and stories.
Second Place
“The CBS Evening News with Norah O’Donnell: Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade”
Jan Crawford, Kate Rydell and Brian Gottlieb
CBS News
Third Place
“The Dobbs Decision on Saturday Today”
Staff of Weekend Today
NBC
Broadcast television networks, cable networks and syndicators continuing coverage of a major news event
First Place
“The Horrors of Bucha”
World News Tonight with David Muir, Nightline and ABC News Live Prime staff
ABC News
Judges’ comments: In the early days of the Ukraine war, ABC gains access to the pummeled town of Bucha and reveals in stark and disturbing detail the crimes of war, showing us the evidence and allowing the witnesses to tell of the horrors. It is a trial prosecutor’s performance and leaves no doubt.
Second Place
“180 Days: The War in Ukraine”
ABC News Nightline staff
ABC News
Third Place
“Uvalde 365: A Year in the Community”
ABC News staff
ABC News
Broadcast television networks, cable networks and syndicators feature, sports or human interest
First Place
“On the Road: Dexter The Dog
The CBS Evening News with Norah O’Donnell
CBS News
Judges’ comments: How does Steve Hartman manage to find, newscast after newscast, these stirring stories that speak directly to the heart? Dexter, who taught himself to walk upright after an accident, teaches us all, as Hartman says in the typically vivid writing of his features, that we can all learn how to stand tall.
Second Place
“CBS Sunday Morning: Finders Keepers”
Martha Teichner, Michelle Kessel and Remington Korper
CBS News
Third Place
“The Message”
ESPN staff
ESPN
Broadcast television networks, cable networks and syndicators documentary or series of reports on the same subject
First Place
“World’s Untold Stories: The Brain Collectors”
CNN staff
CNN
Judges’ comments: One of those stories that you come across once in a lifetime — a bizarre bank of preserved brains. Great storytelling and photography not only illustrate the oddity of the story but the moral dilemmas facing researchers who can use the stored brains not only for medical research but for a better understanding of science’s role in society.
Second Place
“The Model City: How Police Reform Failed In Breonna Taylor’s Hometown”
Scripps News Investigative Team and Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting Staff
Scripps News Investigative Team and Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting
Third Place
“A Sense of Community”
Al Jazeera English staff
Al Jazeera English
Broadcast television networks, cable networks and syndicators investigative report
First Place
ABC News Studios “IMPACT x Nightline: Caffeine Jungle”
Staff of IMPACT x Nightline
ABC News
Judges’ comments: ABC Nightline goes to the source to audit the claim that a brand of coffee is sustainably produced – and shows us how empty the claim is when its cameras reveal children in Latin America working in the fields rather than attending school.
Second Place
“Crime Without Punishment”
CBS News staff
CBS News
Third Place
“Unseen Battle: Young Veterans Facing Breast Cancer”
Andrea Nejman, Chris Daniels and Alex Brauer
Spotlight on America
Broadcast television networks, cable networks and syndicators news magazine program
First Place
“Impact x Nightline – Aftermath: The Dobbs Effect”
Staff of Impact x Nightline
ABC News
Judges’ comments: This program gave us captivating storytelling that covered all sides of the debate about abortion after the Dobbs decision was handed down by the Supreme Court. The report is very much a product of our time, and it provided excellent interviews, a close examination of abortion-related issues, and, most important of all, people’s heart-felt stories.
Second Place
“A Sense of Community: Iten”
Michael Onyeigo and Staff
Al Jazeera English
Third Place
“Katrina Brownlee: The Good Cop”
48 Hours staff
48 Hours
Broadcast television networks, cable networks and syndicators business and consumer reporting
First Place
“Celsius coverage”
Paige Tortorelli, Scott Zamost and Kate Rooney
CNBC
Judges’ comments: CNBC breaks dramatic new ground by tracking down and getting former employees of a troubled crypto currency company on the record, explaining how it had become obvious that the concern had been active in manipulating markets. A deep dive into an opaque world.
Second Place
“Frontover Dangers”
Vicky Nguyen, Joe Enoch, Adiel Kaplan, Jean Lee and Jamie Nguyen
NBC News
Third Place
“Rossen Reports”
Rossen Reports Team
Hearst Television
Broadcast television networks, cable networks and syndicators health/science/pandemic reporting
First Place
“Going Home”
ESPN staff
ESPN
Judges’ comments: A story that shows the difference one health care provider can make in bringing someone back from the brink — along with the dogged determination of a fighter who was fighting for his life because of COVID. A fine example of the storytelling craft.
Second Place
“Private Practice”
Joce Sterman, Scotty Smith, Daniela Molina, Bailey Williams, InvestigateTV and Arnolt Center for Investigative Reporting Staff
InvestigateTV
Third Place
“A Toxic Feed: Social Media and Teen Mental Health”
Jeremy Raff, Natasha Del Toro and team
Al Jazeera English
Broadcast television networks, cable networks and syndicators environmental reporting
First Place
“60 Minutes: Return to Gorongosa”
Scott Pelley, Henry Schuster, Sarah Turcotte and Warren Lustig
CBS News
Judges’ comments: When an elephant suddenly joins Scott Pelley’s interview set in Mozambique with Greg Carr, an entrepreneur, and conservationist, they are hardly startled; they pause in wonderment as it is a reminder of the purpose of this 60 Minutes story. Scott Pelley once again brings us exceptional reporting in this powerful and inspirational story of the rebuilding of a national wildlife conservation park decimated by years of civil war. With unrivaled cinematography, this first-rate production takes us on a journey of how one entrepreneur transformed Gorongosa National Park for both the animals and people, as sustainable human development was integral to the project.
Second Place
“CBS Sunday Morning: Forever Chemicals”
Lee Cowan, Sari Aviv and George Pozderec
CBS News
Third Place
“Sylvia Earle: Diving for Hope”
CNN staff
CNN
RADIO STATIONS
Radio stations newscast, all markets
First Place
“WBAL News Now at 5 a.m.”
WBAL-AM staff
WBAL-AM
Judges’ comments: Here’s a broadcast that feels warm and friendly, even when delivering somber news. We’d welcome listening to these voices first thing in the morning, providing stories behind the headlines and well-executed presentation of the need-to-know info to start the day.
Second Place
“Texas Standard for Nov. 9, 2022”
Texas Standard staff
Texas Standard
Third Place
“TPR’s Morning Edition Newscast anchored by Norma Martinez”
Norma Martinez and TPR News Staff
Texas Public Radio
Radio stations breaking news or continuing coverage of a single news event
First Place and BEST IN SHOW
“The death-penalty trial and verdict of the Parkland school shooter”
Gerard Albert III, Kate Payne and Christine DiMattei
WLRN News
Judges’ comments: Story thoroughly reported in bites less than 5 minutes each with updates in each bite. It was as if the reporter didn’t want to waste “space.” The reporter’s words painted detailed pictures of the actions and people better than what most would glean from actual visuals. He was truly our eyes and ears in a calm, measured and detail-oriented approach to conveying the courtroom experience and impact.
Second Place
“Raleigh Mass Shooting Coverage”
North Carolina Public Radio WUNC News Staff
North Carolina Public Radio WUNC
Third Place
“Deadly Stricker Street Row Home Fire”
WBAL-AM staff
WBAL-AM
Radio stations feature and human interest story, all markets
First Place
“The Military is Trying to Protect America’s First Black Marine Base from Storms and Rising Seas”
Jay Price
North Carolina Public Radio WUNC
Judges’ comments: This piece details the importance of restoring historical buildings despite climate change issues while also highlighting the unsafe and inhumane conditions African-African soldiers had to endure. Being able to track down people who were able to describe that period made this story very impactful. Their painful description underscores race issues from that period. Overall, it’s a tight production that displays how race relations negatively impacted the Marines and the importance of maintaining buildings used by the first Black Marines.
Second Place
“Where do I belong?”
Dan Gunderson
MPR News
Third Place
“A love letter to Haitian Creole: Kreyòl Pale, Kreyòl Konprann”
Wilkine Brutus
WLRN News
Radio stations documentary or public affairs
First Place
“Uvalde: What’s Next?”
Laura Rice, Leah Scarpelli and Rhonda Fanning
Texas Standard
Judges’ comments: Perhaps, as the journalists hope, the conversations initiated by this reporting will lead to lasting changes and fewer losses of life. For sure, the voices captured by the Texas Standard need to be heard. The pain, hope and challenges are reminders of the need for ongoing repair aimed at removing the feeling of constant danger.
Second Place
“WBAL News Now Extra – Leaked SCOTUS Opinion”
Robert Lang
WBAL-AM
Third Place
“Selections from WLRN program The Sunshine Economy”
Tom Hudson and Elisa Baena
WLRN News
Radio stations news series
First Place
“Secrecy and Violence”
Ally Jarmanning
WBUR
Judges’ comments: This is an intrepid investigation into records about domestic violence and abuse cases, and the shrouding of information by law that ultimately did more to harm victims than protect them. What better mark of success for this reporting than a call to action for Massachusetts lawmakers to file a bill to create a commission to probe problems uncovered in this reporting.
Second Place
“Kids Ask”
Susie An
WBEZ Chicago
Third Place
“It is happening here: Massachusetts has a growing neo-Nazi movement”
Phillip Martin and the GBH News Staff
GBH News
Radio stations health/science/pandemic story
First Place
“Florida’s severe child psychiatrist shortage keeps one provider in Miami-Dade up at night”
Verónica Zaragovia
WLRN News
Judges’ comments: This report provides a fascinating and informative look at the lack of child psychiatrists in the Miami-Dade area. The report covers the extent of working pediatric psychiatrists’ burnout and the critical, unmet needs of the area’s children and teens. The report features compelling stories from doctors talking about the stress of the job, as well as parents discussing their children’s needs with the psychiatrist profiled in the piece. The broadcast sheds light on a critical issue in the Miami-Dade area and represents excellent journalism.
Second Place
“Thousands of workers got covid on the job — then had to fight for workers’ comp”
Beth Healy and Saurabh Datar
WBUR
Third Place
“Privacy researcher worries about a ‘scenario where everyone is a sheriff’ post-Roe”
Dina Temple-Raston, Sean Powers, Will Jarvis, Karen Duffin and Priska Neely
Recorded Future News and Gulf States Newsroom
Broadcast radio networks and syndicators newscast
First Place
“Bloomberg Radio Newscast: 5 a.m. on February 24, 2022”
Bloomberg Radio staff
Bloomberg Radio
Judges’ comments: A lively broadcast with lots of little news nuggets just right for sharing and making one seem smart and current at the morning meeting. Reports expertly address the world-stage story of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, but also cover other local, regional and national stories in both breadth and depth that yield solid comprehension.
Second Place
“CBS World News Roundup”
Steve Kathan and Paul Farry
CBS News Radio
No third-place award
Broadcast radio networks and syndicators breaking news or continuing coverage
First Place
“As Roe Is Overturned, Workplaces Scramble To Address Employee Benefits Around Abortion Care”
Meghan McCarty Carino and Diantha Parker
Marketplace
Judges’ comments: Because of her advanced preparation, this reporter moved quickly, anticipating and answering people’s questions almost as quickly as it was announced that Roe vs. Wade was overturned. Further coverage examined some employer business practices and company-sponsored health benefits that might change to reflect the new landscape for personal health decisions while maintaining privacy for employees.
Second Place
“Terror in Uvalde”
CBS News Radio staff
CBS News Radio
Third Place
“Breaking News: Russia Invades Ukraine”
Bloomberg Radio staff
Bloomberg Radio
Broadcast radio networks and syndicators feature and human interest story
First Place
“Grief and Grit: Ten years after Sandy Hook, one woman continues to wrestle with her double loss”
Tovia Smith, Catherine Laidlaw, Walter Ray Watson and Elizabeth Baker
NPR
Judges’ comments: Sandy Hook’s impact on the families affected is put on display in this feature. The slice of life aspects included show a family’s struggle to overcome loss on a daily basis. The sound, actualities, and narration make you feel compassion and hope that ten years later, families can find some shred of relief from the heartbreak they suffered.
Second Place
“Nasta’s Story”
Jason Beaubien, Polina Lytvynova and Nashant Dahiya
NPR
Third Place
“In Chicago, handguns turned into high-capacity machine guns fuel deadly violence”
Frank Main, Tom Schuba, Cheryl W. Thompson and Matt Kiefer
NPR
Broadcast radio networks and syndicators documentary or public affairs
First Place
“Inside the Global Fight for White Power”
Scripps News & Reveal from the Center for Investigative Reporting
Judges’ comments: This documentary adds to a growing global conversation and sounds another alarm that neither the public, religious leaders, nor counterterrorism officials can afford to ignore.
Second Place
“Pink Card”
Shima Oliaee
ESPN Films
No Third-Place award
Broadcast radio networks and syndicators news series
First Place
“The special education teacher shortage”
Lee Gaines, Dylan Peers McCoy and Nicole Cohen
WFYI and NPR
Judges’ comments: NPR offers a sweeping yet personal account of a critical issue facing America’s schools: the widening gap between the need and supply of teachers gifted in the art of special education.
Second Place
“The New Ground Zero For Unions: Coffee Houses”
Andrea Hsu
NPR
No Third-Place award
Broadcast radio networks and syndicators pandemic coverage/project
First Place
“Life In and Out of Lockdown: Covid In China”
Jennifer Pak and John Buckley
Marketplace
Judges’ comments: Jennifer Pak leads us authoritatively through China’s streets to bring personal texture to the Covid crisis in Asia and provides insight to the broader effects the pandemic has on supply chains worldwide.
Second Place
“U.S. Forest Service Is Short Thousands of Firefighters Amid Pay Raise Delay”
Nova Safo and Amir Bibawy
Marketplace
Third Place
“Pediatricians Brace For The End of Covid Vaccine Funding”
Nancy Marshall-Genzer and Diantha Parker
Marketplace