Award Winning Stories From 2023, Inside Appalachia

In March, broadcast journalists from Virginia and West Virginia were recognized when the Virginias Associated Press Broadcasters met to present awards for notable stories produced in 2023. This week, we listen back to some of our award-winning stories.

In March, broadcast journalists from Virginia and West Virginia were recognized when the Virginias Associated Press Broadcasters met to present awards for notable stories produced in 2023. 

This week, we listen back to some of our award-winning stories

In This Episode:


How Angelo’s Old World Italian Sausage Gets Made

Angelo’s Old World Sausage is available in stores in West Virginia, Ohio and Kentucky.

Photo Credit: Zack Harold/West Virginia Public Broadcasting

Zack Harold is the unofficial foodie for Folkways. Last summer, he took us to see how the sausage gets made with Angelo’s Old World Italian Sausage. The recipe originated in the Calabria region of Italy, but it’s made in West Virginia. 

Make Way For The Mushroom Hunters

These chanterelles are about to be turned into a tasty treat. They were harvested the day before an unsuccessful mushroom hunt, and turned into a topper for vanilla ice cream.

Photo Credit: Wendy Welch/West Virginia Public Broadcasting

Gathering foods like ramps, sassafras or blackberries from the forest has always been a part of Appalachian culture. In recent years, mushroom hunting has been having a moment.

Folkways Reporter Wendy Welch spent time with mushroom hunters in Virginia and West Virginia and brought us the story. 

Winter Wassailing In Asheville

Wassailers sing outside a home in Asheville, North Carolina. Traditionally, wassailers not only sang for their neighbors, but also sang in apple orchards to ensure a good harvest for the coming year.

Photo Credit: Rebecca Williams/West Virginia Public Broadcasting

Not many folks are thinking about winter holiday traditions this time of year. But back before Christmas, Folkways Reporter Rebecca Williams explored the old English tradition of wassailing in Asheville, North Carolina. A group of friends there got into this old singing tradition as a way to connect to their roots. Williams reported.

Season Of The Witch

H. Byron Ballard at home.

Photo Credit: Llewellyn Worldwide

In Appalachia, witchcraft goes way back. Wise women still practice herbology or trace the patterns of the moon. H. Byron Ballard is a practicing witch in Asheville, North Carolina. She’s also the author of several books, including Small Magics: Practical Secrets from an Appalachian Village Witch. Last fall, she spoke with producer Bill Lynch about her way of life – and quizzed Bill on cryptids. 


We also want to congratulate WVPB reporters and Inside Appalachia contributors Emily Rice and Breana Heaney, news director Eric Douglas and Us & Them host Trey Kay. Each of them won awards from the Virginias Associated Press Broadcasters. 

West Virginia Public Broadcasting brought home 12 awards Saturday, March 23, 2024 from the Virginias Associated Press Broadcasters Awards Luncheon at The Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. Pictured (left to right) is Inside Appalachia Producer Bill Lynch, Inside Appalachia Folkways Reporter Wendy Welch, Us & Them Host and Producer Trey Kay, Southern West Virginia Reporter Briana Heaney and WVPB News Director Eric Douglas.

Photo Credit: Eric Douglas/West Virginia Public Broadcasting

——

Our theme music is by Matt Jackfert. Other music this week was provided by Christian Lopez, Dave and Tim Bing, John Inghram, Marissa Anderson, Frank George and Hank Williams Jr.

Bill Lynch is our producer. Zander Aloi is our associate producer. Our executive producer is Eric Douglas. Kelley Libby is our editor. Our audio mixer is Patrick Stephens. We had help this week from Folkways editors Chris Julin and Nicole Musgrave.

You can send us an email at InsideAppalachia@wvpublic.org.

You can find us on Instagram, Threads and Twitter @InAppalachia. Or here on Facebook.

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Inside Appalachia is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

WVPB Newsroom Has 11 Finalists In 8 Categories Of The 2023 Virginias AP Broadcasters Awards 

West Virginia Public Broadcasting’s News Department has secured 11 nominations in eight categories in the 2023 Virginias Associated Press Broadcasters annual awards competition. This competition includes the best radio and television stations in both West Virginia and Virginia. 

West Virginia Public Broadcasting’s News Department has secured 11 nominations in eight categories in the 2023 Virginias Associated Press Broadcasters annual awards competition. This competition includes the best radio and television stations in both West Virginia and Virginia. 

The awards include stories from programs Us & Them and Inside Appalachia

Us & Them is produced by Trey Kay for WVPB, and Inside Appalachia is our 20 plus year old news magazine show that looks at the culture, history and future of the Appalachian region. Part of that show is the Folkways Project which encourages amateur reporters to go into their communities and report on what they see. Two of those stories were finalists in the Best Light Feature category. 

The daily newsroom secured five finalist nominations in Best Continuing News, Best MMJ/One-Person Band Reporter, Best QA (One-on-One) Interview, Best Specialty Reporting, and Excellence in Public Service Through Journalism. 

“These awards recognize the hard work and innovation the news team and the shows like Inside Appalachia put into covering our region,” said Eric Douglas, WVPB news director. “But it is just the tip of the iceberg in the thousands of stories we publish each year to help tell West Virginia’s story.”

There were 35 judges who evaluated 619 entries from 38 news organizations in Virginia and West Virginia. The finalists are listed in random order. The actual order of finish —  first and second places — will be announced at the VAPB Awards Luncheon on Saturday, March 23, 12-3 p.m., at The Greenbrier Resort.  

Best Continuing News:

Best MMJ/One-Person Band Reporter: 

Best QA (One-on-One) Interview:

Best Specialty Reporting:

  • Ben Paviour, VPM News, Richmond, VA, “Politics/Criminal Justice”;

  • Emily Rice, WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV, “Unwinding Medicaid.”

Excellence in Public Service Through Journalism: 

Best Podcast-Audio:

Best Light Feature:

Best Mountain State Heritage:

WVPB Wins Multiple Awards At Virginias AP Broadcasters Competition

West Virginia Public Broadcasting is proud to announce four first place awards and seven runner ups across nine categories for the 74th Annual Virginias Associated Press Broadcasters Awards. The first place awards include Best Documentary or In-Depth, Best Light Feature, Best Multi-Platform and Best Mountain State Heritage.

West Virginia Public Broadcasting is proud to announce four first place awards and seven runner ups across nine categories for the 74th Annual Virginias Associated Press Broadcasters Awards. 

The first place awards include Best Documentary or In-Depth, Best Light Feature, Best Multi-Platform and Best Mountain State Heritage. 

WVPB has won first in Best Mountain State Heritage for the third year in a row. Stories from WVPB programs Inside Appalachia and Us & Them were finalists in two categories. 

These are all stories filed in 2022. 

WVPB awards include:

Best Radio News Anchor: Second Place, Teresa Wills, WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV, “Bridge Safety and A Discussion About the State’s Personal Income Tax on This West Virginia Morning.”

Best Podcast-Audio: Second Place, Trey Kay and Emily Haavik, WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV, “Court of Second Chances.”

Best Spot News: Second Place, Caroline MacGregor, WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV, “Airport Expansion’s Potential Impact on Coonskin Park Worries Local Residents.”

Best Documentary or In-Depth: First Place, Trey Kay and Marisa Helms, WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV, “The Gun Divide”; Second Place, Jessica Lilly, WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV, “West Virginia Water Trails: Rebuilding Buffalo Creek’s Identity.”

Best Light Feature: First Place, Mason Adams, WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV, “Floyd’s Friday Night Jamboree Builds Community from Music.”

Best QA (One-on-One) Interview: Second Place, Eric Douglas, WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV, “Arthur’ Author Appears at Book Festival.”

Best Specialty Reporting: Second Place, Chris Schulz, WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV, “Mon County Bans Pride Flags in Schools, Receives Pushback.”

Best Multi-Platform Story: First Place, Jessica Lilly, WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV, “West Virginia Water Trails: Rebuilding Buffalo Creek’s Identity.”

Best Mountain State Heritage: First Place, Zack Harold, WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV, “A Guitar Surgeon Gives Old Instruments Their Voices Back”; Second Place, Lauren Griffin, WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV, “Dirt, Soot, Smoke and Oil: Mechanics Take on the Dirty Job of Repairing Antique Trains.”

The Virginias AP Broadcasters competition pits WVPB against stations across West Virginia and Virginia. 

Four divisions compete in thirty categories. The divisions include Television I (Large Market), Television II (Small Market), Radio I (Metro) and Radio II (Non-Metro).

WVPB Takes Home 13 AP Of The Virginias Awards, Including First Place For Outstanding News Operation

West Virginia Public Broadcasting won 13 awards in 11 categories over the weekend at the 2021 Virginias Associated Press Broadcasters awards luncheon at the Greenbrier Resort. Notably, WVPB’s news team won first place for Outstanding News Operation.

West Virginia Public Broadcasting won 13 awards in 11 categories over the weekend at the 2021 Virginias Associated Press Broadcasters awards luncheon at the Greenbrier Resort.

Notably, WVPB’s news team won first place for Outstanding News Operation.

“Tremendous in-depth reporting,” the judges wrote of WVPB’s newsroom. “This organization clearly understands its responsibility to not only serve in the public’s best interest but to tell its region’s stories. Well done!”

There were 37 news organizations in Virginia and West Virginia that submitted 587 entries into the 2021 award categories. While technically not part of the news department, Teresa Wills won first place for Best Radio News Anchor for WVPB’s morning radio show West Virginia Morning.

Below is a list of WVPB’s awards:

RADIO I/METRO:

Best Continuing News, Second Place, Liz McCormick, “Closing the COVID Gap”

Best Documentary or In-Depth, First Place, Trey Kay and Ryan Katz, “Those Who Lack Good Oral Health Face Far More Than a Toothless Hillbilly Stereotype”

Best Light Feature, First Place, Zack Harold, “Friends and Family Remember Russell Yann, Iconic Owner of Fairmont Hotdog Hotspot”

Best Serious Feature, First Place, Jessica Lilly, “Woman Underground: How One W.Va. Miner Found Family and Fatherly Connection in Coal”

Best Sports Feature, Second Place, Jessica Lilly, “Fayetteville Native Takes 7th in Paralympics 100-Meters”

Best Reporter, First Place, Jessica Lilly; Second Place, June Leffler

Best QA (One-on-One) Interview, Second Place, Liz McCormick, “Returning Home: Berkeley County Special Education Teacher Lifts Up Students With Disabilities”

Best Website, First Place, West Virginia Public Broadcasting

Best Radio News Anchor, First Place, Teresa Wills

Best Mountain State Heritage, First Place, Zack Harold, “Retired Miner Makes Traditional Cream Pull Candy;” Second Place, Trey Kay, “Us and Them: Blair Mountain”

Outstanding News Operation of the Virginias, First Place, West Virginia Public Broadcasting

WVPB Named Outstanding Radio News Operation of the Virginias

 

Credit Ken Young
/
Inside Appalachia’s Jessica Lilly was named outstanding radio anchor in the Virginias

West Virginia Public Broadcasting has been named “Outstanding News Operation of the Virginias” in radio and won 7 of 11 categories in the Virginias Associated Press Broadcasters Awards.

“These awards are recognition of the talent and hard work our news team brings to telling West Virginia’s story,” said WVPB Executive Director Scott Finn. “These AP Awards are on top of our journalists winning 6 of 11 categories in the regional Edward R. Murrow Awards.”

AP “Superior” Award winners include:

 

Spot News: “Blankenship Verdict” Ashton Marra

Documentary or In-Depth: “The Needle and the Damage Done

Feature or Human Interest: “A Civil War Christmas” Liz McCormick

Individual Reporter: Ashton Marra

Investigative Reporting: “Well Communication” Glynis Board

Radio News Anchor: Jessica Lilly

 

Credit Cecelia Mason
/
Ashton Marra was named outstanding reporter of the Virginias

  “Meritorious” Award winners include:

 

Spot News: “Farmington Remembered” Roxy Todd

Documentary or In-Depth: “Inside Appalachia: When Strangers Take Our Picture” Jessica Lilly, Roxy Todd.

Feature or Human Interest: WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV, “Girl STEM Camp” Ashton Marra.

Individual Reporter: Roxy Todd

Douglas Southall Freeman Award: “The Needle and the Damage Done,” West Virginia Public Broadcasting News Department.

Editorial or Editorial Series: “The Front Porch

Website: WVPublic.org – Dave Mistich

 

Thirty-one broadcast organizations submitted a record 327 entries in the contest, which featured news, sports and weather reporting as well as feature, investigative, and public interest reporting. Awards were also given for photography, video, and website.

The Associated Press is a not-for-profit news cooperative representing 1,400 newspapers and 5,000 broadcast stations in the United States.

Virginias Associated Press Broadcasters winners list in Television – Small Market:

Spot News: SUPERIOR: WTAP-TV, Parkersburg, WV, “Parkersburg Mayor Bob Newell Announces Retirement,” WTAP News; MERITORIOUS: WCAV-TV, Charlottesville, VA, “House Fire Heroes,” Jaclyn Piermarini, Rachel Ryan Mike Fisch; MERITORIOUS: WTAP-TV, Parkersburg, WV, “Mineral Wells Flooding,” WTAP News.

Continuing News: SUPERIOR: WVIR-TV, Charlottesville, VA, “ABC Arrest of Martese Johnson,” Staff; MERITORIOUS: WCAV-TV, Charlottesville, VA, “Martese Johnson Arrest,” Staff; MERITORIOUS: WTAP-TV, Parkersburg, WV, “The Mitchell Ruble Murder Trial,” WTAP News.

Outstanding Sports Operation of the Virginias: SUPERIOR: WCAV-TV, Charlottesville, VA, “WCAV Sports,” Damon Dillman, Zach Maskavich, Bridget Condon; MERITORIOUS: WCYB-TV, Bristol, VA, “WCYB Sports,” Casey Goetz, Heather Williams; MERITORIOUS: WHSV-TV, Harrisonburg, VA, “WHSV Outstanding Sports Operation of the Year,” David DeGuzman, Andrew Clay.

Documentary or In-Depth: SUPERIOR: WHSV-TV, Harrisonburg, VA, “Change After Tragedy,” Morgan Donnelly, Ryan Fletcher; MERITORIOUS: WTAP-TV, Parkersburg, WV, “The Drug Deal: Uncovering Local Addiction,” David Carl; MERITORIOUS: WTAP-TV, Parkersburg, WV, “Seeking Justice: Death of a Deputy,” RacheleMongiovi.

Feature or Human Interest: SUPERIOR: WHSV-TV, Harrisonburg, VA, “Mini’s Mission,” Andrew Clay; MERITORIOUS: WHSV-TV, Harrisonburg, VA, “Blackhawk Down,” Isabel Rosales, Ryan Fletcher; MERITORIOUS: WCAV-TV, Charlottesville, VA, “Virginia’s Heroin Epidemic,” Colleen Quigley.

Sports Feature: SUPERIOR: WHSV-TV, Harrisonburg, VA, “Learning To Win,” Andrew Clay, Ryan Fletcher; MERITORIOUS: WHSV-TV, Harrisonburg, VA, “A Girl Named Muff,” Andrew Clay, Ryan Fletcher; MERITORIOUS: WCAV-TV, Charlottesville, VA, “Gooch’s Comeback,” Damon Dillman.

Individual Reporter: SUPERIOR: WHSV-TV, Harrisonburg, VA, “Channing Frampton”; MERITORIOUS: WVIR-TV, Charlottesville, VA, ” Henry Graff: Huguely Interrogation”; MERITORIOUS: WCAV-TV, Charlottesville, VA, “Colleen Quigley.”

Editorial or Editorial Series: SUPERIOR: WTAP-TV, Parkersburg, WV, “Roger Sheppard’s Editorial,” Roger Sheppard.

Spot Photography: SUPERIOR: WVIR-TV, Charlottesville, VA, “March Snow, ” Staff.

Feature Photography: SUPERIOR: WVIR-TV, Charlottesville, VA, “WWII Bomber Flight over DC,” Patrick Huddleston, Sean Cudahy; MERITORIOUS: WVIR-TV, Charlottesville, VA, “UVA Marching Band Readies for Macy’s Parade,” Matt Talhelm, Patrick Huddleston; MERITORIOUS: WCAV-TV, Charlottesville, VA, “Strike Zone,” Mike Fisch.

Investigative Reporting: SUPERIOR: WVIR-TV, Charlottesville, VA, “Police Staffing Shortage on Downtown Mall,” Henry Graff; MERITORIOUS: WCAV-TV, Charlottesville, VA, “Hazing Lawsuit,” Colleen Quigley; MERITORIOUS: WCAV-TV, Charlottesville, VA, “Dominion Donations,” Dan Schutte.

Website: SUPERIOR: WCAV-TV, Charlottesville, VA, “Newsplex.com,” SharraKlug, Staff; MERITORIOUS: WHSV-TV, Harrisonburg, VA, “WHSV.com,” Jeff Williamson; MERITORIOUS: WVVA-TV, Bluefield, WV, “WVVA.com,” Paul Hess.

Newscast: SUPERIOR: WVIR-TV, Charlottesville, VA, “NBC29’s News at Six,” Saff; MERITORIOUS: WCAV-TV, Charlottesville, VA, “6pm News on August 26, 2015,” Staff; MERITORIOUS: WVVA-TV, Bluefield, WV, “WVVA News at 6,” Staff.

Weathercast: SUPERIOR: WHSV-TV, Harrisonburg, VA, “WHSV Best Weathercast of the Year – Snow storm on March 5, 2015,” George Hirschmann, Laura Mock, Aubrey Urbanowicz, Jay Webb; MERITORIOUS: WVVA-TV, Bluefield, WV, “February 16th Snowstorm Coverage,” Katherine Thompson, Janna Brown, Travis Roberts; MERITORIOUS: WVIR-TV, Charlottesville, VA, “Storm Team 29,” Norm Sprouse, Eric Pritchett.

Individual Weathercaster: SUPERIOR: WVIR-TV, Charlottesville, VA, “Eric Pritchett;” MERITORIOUS: WVNS-TV, Ghent, WV, “Erik Taylor;” MERITORIOUS: WHSV-TV, Harrisonburg, VA, “Aubrey Urbanowicz.”

TV News Anchor: SUPERIOR: WVIR-TV, Charlottesville, VA, “Steve Rappaport;” MERITORIOUS: WVVA-TV, Bluefield, WV, “Courtney Clark;” MERITORIOUS: WHSV-TV, Harrisonburg, VA, “Channing Frampton.”

TV Sports Anchor: SUPERIOR: WCAV-TV, Charlottesville, VA, “Damon Dillman;” MERITORIOUS: WVIR-TV, Charlottesville, VA, “Marty Hudtloff;” MERITORIOUS: WCYB-TV, Bristol, VA, “Heather Williams.”

Individual Producer: SUPERIOR: WVIR-TV, Charlottesville, VA, “Amanda Williams;” MERITORIOUS: WCAV-TV, Charlottesville, VA, “Tyler Hawn;” MERITORIOUS: WHSV-TV, Harrisonburg, VA, “Channing Frampton.”

Douglas Southall Freeman Award: SUPERIOR: WVIR-TV, Charlottesville, VA, “Charlottesville City Spending on Outside Consults Adds-Up Quickly,” Henry Graff.

Outstanding News Operation of the Virginias: SUPERIOR: WHSV-TV, Harrisonburg, VA, “WHSV Outstanding News Operation of the Virginias,” Staff; MERITORIOUS: WCAV-TV, Charlottesville, VA, “CBS19 News,” Staff; MERITORIOUS: WVIR-TV, Charlottesville, VA, “NBC29 News,” Staff.

Virginias Associated Press Broadcasters winners list in Television – Large Market:

Spot News: SUPERIOR: WWBT-TV, Richmond, VA, “Charter Bus Crash,” NBC12 Staff; MERITORIOUS: WWBT-TV, Richmond, VA, “School Bus Crash,” NBC12 Staff; MERITORIOUS: WCHS-TV, Charleston, WV, “Backpage Murder,” Leslie Rubin

Continuing News: SUPERIOR: WSET-TV, Lynchburg, VA, “Natural Bridge Zoo,” Suri Crowe, Kody Liebowitz; MERITORIOUS: WSLS-TV, Roanoke, VA, “Journalists Killed – The First Week,” Staff; MERITORIOUS: WSLS-TV, Roanoke, VA, “Disappearance of Noah Thomas,” Staff.

Outstanding Sports Operation of the Virginias: SUPERIOR: WDBJ-TV, Roanoke, VA, “WDBJ7 Sports Department,” Travis Wells, Karen Loftus, Zac Glover, Kim Eller, Lynn Eller, Sam Doyle, Justin Ward, Adam Ward; MERITORIOUS: WSLS-TV, Roanoke, VA, “WSLS 10 Sports,” John Appicello, Alyssa Rae; MERITORIOUS: WRIC-TV, Richmond, VA, “WRIC Outstanding Sports Operation Entry,” Mitch Carr, Chip Brierre

Documentary or In-Depth: SUPERIOR: WVEC-TV, Norfolk, VA, “Hooked on Heroin: Virginia’s Growing Killer,” Janet Roach, Jon Goodwin; MERITORIOUS: WWBT-TV. Richmond, VA, “Smoke Detectors Put to the Test,” Rachel DePompa; MERITORIOUS: WRIC-TV, Richmond, VA, “Living Transgender in RVA,” Amy Lacey, Forrest Shelor, Abraham Stubblefield, Brad Davis.

Feature or Human Interest: SUPERIOR: WRIC-TV, Richmond, VA, “The Decision Between Life and Limb,” Parker Slaybaugh; MERITORIOUS: WWBT-TV, Richmond, VA, “Jacob Walker,” Kelly Avellino; MERITORIOUS: WRIC-TV, Richmond, VA, “The Friendship Rock,” Kristin Smith.

Sports Feature: SUPERIOR: WAVY-TV, Hampton Roads, VA, “Manteo’s Miracle Make,” Nathan Epstein; MERITORIOUS: WAVY-TV, Hampton Roads, VA, “Just One of the Guys,” Nathan Epstein; MERITORIOUS: WDBJ-TV, Roanoke, VA, “Mojo Nixon’s Musical Memory of Wendell Scott,” Zac Glover.

Individual Reporter: SUPERIOR: WWBT-TV, Richmond, VA, “Rachel DePompa;”; MERITORIOUS: WRIC-TV, Richmond, VA, “Kristin Smith;” MERITORIOUS: WSLS-TV, Roanoke, VA, “Dawn Jefferies.

Editorial or Editorial Series: SUPERIOR: WVEC-TV, Norfolk, VA, “Education in Virginia: Our Kids, Our Future,” Staff; MERITORIOUS: WWBT-TV, Richmond, VA, “NBC12 Viewpoints,” Kym Grinnage.

Spot Photography: SUPERIOR: WRIC-TV, Richmond, VA, “Boat Fire,” Parker Slaybaugh; MERITORIOUS: WOWK-TV, Charleston, WV, “Yeager Airport Landslide,” Nicky Walters, John Haulotte; MERITORIOUS: WCHS-TV, Charleston, WV, “Fayette Train Explosion,” Troy Morgan.

Feature Photography: SUPERIOR: WVEC-TV, Norfolk, VA, “Smartphone Separation Anxiety,” Marcella Robertson, Mike Nicolas; MERITORIOUS: WSET-TV, Lynchburg, VA, “Heat and Practice,” Tony Day; MERITORIOUS: WCHS-TV, Charleston, WV, “Traveling West Virginia/Brad Rice,” Brad Rice.

Investigative Reporting: SUPERIOR: WSLS-TV, Roanoke, VA, “Veteran’s Hospital Investigation,” Jenna Zibton, Greg Moore; MERITORIOUS: WVEC-TV, Norfolk, VA, “13News Now Investigates: Touchy Tutor,” Laura Geller, Jon Goodwin; MERITORIOUS: WWBT-TV, Richmond, VA, “Police Department Investigation,” Rachel DePompa.

Website: SUPERIOR: WAVY-TV, Hampton Roads, VA, “WAVY.com,” Jane Alvarez-Wertz, Kevin Green, Stephanie Ballesteros, Jesse Varner; MERITORIOUS: WDBJ-TV, Roanoke, VA, “WDBJ7.com,” WDBJ7 Newsroom; MERITORIOUS: WSLS-TV, Roanoke, VA, “WSLS.Com,” Staff.

Newscast: SUPERIOR: WAVY-TV, Hampton Roads, VA, “WAVY News 10 At 6:00,” Bob Bennett, Tom Schaad, Nicole Livas, Don Slater, Bruce Rader; MERITORIOUS: WSET-TV, Lynchburg, VA, “5pm Newscast – WDBJ Shootings August 26, 2015,” WSET News Staff; MERITORIOUS: WWBT-TV, Richmond, VA, “NBC12 News,” NBC12 Staff.

Weathercast: SUPERIOR: WDBJ-TV, Roanoke, VA, “WDBJ7’s Weather Team Forecasts for Monday, Feb. 16, 2015,” Brent Watts, Leo Hirsbrunner, Robin Reed, Lindsey Anderson; MERITORIOUS: WRIC-TV, Richmond, VA, “Rain to Sleet to Snow Changeover Makes for a Tough Day,” Katie Dupree, Matt DiNardo, John Bernier, Tim Pandajis; MERITORIOUS: WSLS-TV, Roanoke, VA, “September Flooding,” Jeff Haniewich, Alan Auglis, Kristina Montuori, Jonathan Kegges.

Individual Weathercaster: SUPERIOR: WSLS-TV, Roanoke, VA, “Jeff Haniewich;” MERITORIOUS: WOWK-TV, Charleston, WV, “Erik Taylor;” MERITORIOUS: WRIC-TV, Richmond, VA, “Katie Dupree.”

TV News Anchor: SUPERIOR: WSLS-TV, Roanoke, VA, “Lindsey Ward;” MERITORIOUS: WDBJ-TV, Roanoke, VA, “Jean Jadhon;” MERITORIOUS: WVAH-TV, Charleston, WV, “Whitney Wetzel.”

TV Sports Anchor: SUPERIOR: WRIC-TV, Richmond, VA, “Chip Brierre;” MERITORIOUS: WRIC-TV, Richmond, VA, “Mitch Carr;” MERITORIOUS: WSET-TV, Lynchburg, VA, “Dennis Carter.”

Individual Producer: SUPERIOR: WSAZ-TV, Charleston, WV, “Mary Tignor;” MERITORIOUS: WRIC-TV, Richmond, VA, “Erika Stein;” MERITORIOUS: WRIC-TV, Richmond, VA, “Jacqui Sweigart.”

Douglas Southall Freeman Award: SUPERIOR: WWBT-TV, Richmond, VA, “12 On Your Side,” Diane Walker, 12 On Your Side Team ; MERITORIOUS: WVEC-TV, Norfolk, VA, “Untested Rape Kits,” Laura Geller, Charlie Hatfield, Jon Goodwin; MERITORIOUS: WRIC-TV, Richmond, VA, “Preacher to Predator,” Kelly Woodard, Kerri O’Brien, Forrest Shelor.

Outstanding News Operation of the Virginias: SUPERIOR: WRIC-TV, Richmond, VA, “WRIC, Richmond, VA,” Kelly Woodard, Victoria Regan, Erika Stein; MERITORIOUS: WSET-TV, Lynchburg, VA, “WSET-TV, Lynchburg, VA,” News Staff; MERITORIOUS: WWBT-TV, Richmond, VA, “WWBT-TV, Richmond, VA,” NBC12 Staff.

Virginias Associated Press Broadcasters winners list in Radio – Non-Metropolitan:

Spot News: SUPERIOR: WRNR-AM, Martinsburg, WV, “Proctor and Gamble Announcement,” Al McGilvary, Rob Mario, Emily Mann; MERITORIOUS: WMUL-FM, Huntington, WV, “Foundation Hall Renaming,” Braxton Crisp.

 

Continuing News: SUPERIOR: WINA-AM, Charlottesville, VA, “Jesse Matthew,” Rob Graham; MERITORIOUS: WBTM-AM, Danville, VA, “The Flag Comes Down,” Chuck Vipperman.

Outstanding Sports Operation of the Virginias: SUPERIOR: WINA-AM, Charlottesville, VA, “WINA, Charlottesville, VA,” Jay James; MERITORIOUS: WMUL-FM, Huntington, WV, “FM88 Sports Team,” James Collier; MERITORIOUS: WBTM-AM, Danville, VA, “WBTM Sports,” Chuck Vipperman, Don Robertson, Clarke Whitfield.

Documentary or In-Depth: SUPERIOR: WINA-AM, Charlottesville, VA, “Multiple Starving and Dead Anals at Horse Rescue,” Rob Graham; MERITORIOUS: WINA-AM, Charlottesville, VA, “Stop and Frisk, a FOIA Refusal,” Les Sinclair; MERITORIOUS: WINA-AM, Charlottesville, VA, “Islamic-Themed Lesson in Augusta County Classroom Sparks International Outrage,” Rob Schilling.

Feature or Human Interest: SUPERIOR: WBTM-AM, Danville, VA, “The Coke Plant Dance Returns,” Jack Garrett; MERITORIOUS: WINA-AM, Charlottesville, VA, “College Football Head Impact Study,” Les Sinclair; MERITORIOUS: WINA-AM, Charlottesville, VA, ” Pearl Harbor Attack Survivor Shares Her Harrowing Story,” Rob Schilling.

Sports Feature: SUPERIOR: WAKG-FM, Danville, VA, “Nascar Noise With Barry Richmond,” Barry Richmond; MERITORIOUS: WMUL-FM, Huntington, WV, “Aretha Sings the National Anthem,” Luke Creasy; MERITORIOUS: WMUL-FM, Huntington, WV, “Jack Lengyel,” Gabi Warwick.

Sports Play-by-Play: SUPERIOR: WINA-AM, Charlottesville, VA, “College Baseball National Championship Game,” Channing Poole; MERITORIOUS: WMUL-FM, Huntington, WV, “Marshall Football v. Purdue,” James Collier, Adam Rogers, Gabi Warwick, Alec Hildebeidel, Nathan Thomas; MERITORIOUS: WBTM-AM, Danville, VA, “G.W. High School Football,” Chuck Vipperman, Don Robertson, Clarke Whitfield.

Individual Reporter: SUPERIOR: WMUL-FM, Huntington, WV, “Rebecca Turnbull”; MERITORIOUS: WINA-AM, Charlottesville, VA, ” Rob Schilling: Show Sues Greene County Over FOIA Violation.”

Editorial or Editorial Series: SUPERIOR: WINA-AM, Charlottesville, VA, “Jefferson Madison Library’s Pornographic Display,” Rob Schilling.

Investigative Reporting: SUPERIOR: WINA-AM, Charlottesville, VA, “Where in the World is Chris Dumler,” Rob Schilling.

Website: SUPERIOR: WINA-AM, Charlottesville, VA, www.WINA.com, Rob Graham; MERITORIOUS: WBTM-AM, Danville, VA, www.wbtmdanville.com, Chuck Vipperman, Jack Garrett; MERITORIOUS: WMUL-FM, Huntington, WV, www.marshall.edu/wmul, Nancy Peyton, Braxton Crisp.

Newscast: SUPERIOR: WINA-AM, Charlottesville, VA, “WINA-AM,” Rob Graham; MERITORIOUS: WBTM-AM, Danville, VA, “The Flag Comes Down,” Chuck Vipperman; MERITORIOUS: WMUL-FM, Huntington, WV, “NewsCenter88 10-9-15,” Gabi Warwick, Kyra Biscarner, Alec Hildebeidel, James Collier, Sage Shavers.

Radio News Anchor: SUPERIOR: WINA-AM, Charlottesville, VA, “Dori Zook;” MERITORIOUS: WBTM-AM, Danville, VA, “Chuck Vipperman;” MERITORIOUS: WINA-AM, Charlottesville, VA, “Rob Graham.”

Radio Sports Anchor: SUPERIOR: WINA-AM, Charlottesville, VA, “Luke Neer;” MERITORIOUS: WRNR-AM, Martinsburg, WV, “Matt Miller: Daily Sportscasts.”

Douglas Southall Freeman Award: SUPERIOR: WBTM-AM, Danville, VA, “WBTM’s Health Beat,” Kathryn Davis; MERITORIOUS: WINA-AM, Charlottesville, VA, “Cybersecurity,” Les Sinclair.

Outstanding News Operation of the Virginias: SUPERIOR: WINA-AM, Charlottesville, VA, “WINA-AM,” Rob Graham; MERITORIOUS: WMUL-FM, Huntington, WV, “NewsCenter88 Team,” Amanda Reesman, Aundrea Horsley; MERITORIOUS: WBTM-AM, Danville, VA, “WBTM News,” Chuck Vipperman, Jack Garrett.

Virginias Associated Press Broadcasters winners list in Radio – Metropolitan:

Spot News: SUPERIOR: WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV, “Blankenship Verdict,” Ashton Marra; MERITORIOUS: WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV, “Farmington Remembered,” Roxy Todd; MERITORIOUS: WTOP-FM, Washington, DC, “Metro Smoke,” WTOP Staff.

Documentary or In-Depth: SUPERIOR: WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV, “The Needle and the Damage Done,” West Virginia Public Broadcasting News Department; MERITORIOUS: WVTF-FM, Roanoke, VA, “Marijuana Reform in Virginia: High Times or Up In Smoke?” Sandy Hausman; MERITORIOUS: WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV, “Inside Appalachia: When Strangers Take Our Picture,” Jessica Lilly, Roxy Todd.

Feature or Human Interest: SUPERIOR: WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV, “A Civil War Christmas,” Liz McCormick; MERITORIOUS: WVTF-FM, Roanoke, VA, “All-But-Forgotten Cemeteries,” Mallory Noe-Payne; MERITORIOUS: WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV, “Girl STEM Camp,” Ashton Marra.

Individual Reporter: SUPERIOR: WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV, “Ashton Marra;” MERITORIOUS: WVTF-FM, Roanoke, VA, “Sandy Hausman;” MERITORIOUS: WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV, “Roxy Todd.”

Editorial or Editorial Series: SUPERIOR: WTOP-FM, Washington, DC, “Core Values,” Chris Core; MERITORIOUS: WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV, “The Front Porch,” Scott Finn.

Investigative Reporting: SUPERIOR: WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV, “Well Communication,” Glynis Board.

Website: SUPERIOR: WTOP-FM, Washington, DC, “WTOP.com,” WTOP.com Staff; MERITORIOUS: WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV, “WVPublic.org,” Dave Mistich.

Newscast: SUPERIOR: WTOP-FM, Washington, DC, “September 23rd, 2015 4 p.m.,” WTOP Staff; MERITORIOUS: WHRV-FM, Norfolk, VA, “Morning Edition, WHRV,” Sondra Woodward; MERITORIOUS: WFIR Radio, Roanoke, VA, “WFIR Radio,” Joey Self, Starr Anderson, Ian Price, Gene Marrano, Cory Walker, Evan Jones.

Radio News Anchor: SUPERIOR: WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV, “Jessica Lilly;” MERITORIOUS: WHRV-FM, Norfolk, VA, “Sondra Woodward.”

Douglas Southall Freeman Award: SUPERIOR: WTOP-FM, Washington, DC, “Dealing Death: Our Heroin Epidemic,” Jamie Forzato; MERITORIOUS: WVTF-FM, Roanoke, VA, “Lessons Learned at Virginia Tech,” Sandy Hausman; MERITORIOUS: WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV, “The Needle and the Damage Done,” West Virginia Public Broadcasting News Department.

Outstanding News Operation of the Virginias: SUPERIOR: WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV, “West Virginia Public Broadcasting,” West Virginia Public Broadcasting News Department.

Virginias Associated Press Broadcasters winners list in College Radio:

 

New Story – Radio: SUPERIOR: WWMC-FM, Lynchburg, VA, “Getting Around Liberty,” Charae McQueen

Feature Story – Radio: SUPERIOR: WWMC-FM, Lynchburg, VA, “Spring Coffee House,” Caleb Barefoot; MERITORIOUS: WWMC-FM, Lynchburg, VA, “Rest Easy,” Andrew Claudio; MERITORIOUS: WWVU-FM, Morgantown, WV, “Changing Health Attitudes and Actions to Recreate Girls,” Diana Payne.

Sports Story or Sports Program – Radio: SUPERIOR: WWMC-FM, Lynchburg, VA, “John Lunsford, Kicker and Husband,” Andrew Claudio; MERITORIOUS: WWMC-FM, Lynchburg, VA, “Average Joes Sports Show,” Joe Mixie, Denton Day, Jeremy Fitch, Adam Fornwalt.

News Program – Radio: SUPERIOR: WWMC-FM, Lynchburg, VA, “90.9 FM The Light Newscast (Liberty Univ.),” Matthew Carns

Black Lung Clincs Brace for Federal Cuts & The Award-Winning 'West Virginia at 150'

A McDowell County clinic is worried that federal cuts could compromise care for coal miners with Black Lung Disease. Also, a segment from West Virginia at 150, which won the Best Documentary Award at the Associated Press Broadcasters Association of The Virginias.

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