Virginias Associated Press Broadcasters Story Archives

WVPB Newsroom Brings Home Awards From Virginias AP Broadcasters

Winners of the 2023 Virginias Associated Press Broadcasters Awards were announced March 23 at the Awards Luncheon and Annual Membership Meeting at The Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. WVPB brought home five first place awards and seven second place awards in eight different categories.

Winners of the 2023 Virginias Associated Press Broadcasters (VAPB) Awards were announced March 23 at the Awards Luncheon and Annual Membership Meeting at The Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia.

Thirty-eight news organizations in Virginia and West Virginia submitted 619 entries in the contest, which featured news and sports from 2023.

West Virginia Public Broadcasting (WVPB) brought home five first place awards and seven second place awards in eight different categories.

The VAPB also awarded a $3,000 scholarship to Hunner Moore, a student majoring in media and broadcast journalism at West Virginia University’s (WVU) Reed College of Media.

The VAPB is an independent association comprised of local members of The Associated Press, a not-for-profit news cooperative that represents thousands of newspapers and broadcast stations across the United States.

Winners In The 2023 Virginias AP Broadcasters Contest:

West Virginia Public Broadcasting brought home 12 awards on Saturday, March 23, 2024 from the Virginias Associated Press Broadcasters Awards Luncheon.

*Photo Credit: Eric Douglas/West Virginia Public Broadcasting*

COMBINED DIVISION (TV/RADIO):

Best Podcast-Audio:

First, Trey Kay and Christina Stella, WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV, “Us & Them: SNAP – Do the Hungry Get More Policy Than Nutrition?”

Second, Trey Kay and Mitch Hanley, WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV, “Us & Them: Compassion Fatigue.”

RADIO I/METRO:

Best Continuing News:

First, Katherine Hafner, WHRO-FM, Norfolk, VA, “Norfolk’s Floodwall Plan”
Second, Emily Rice, WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV, “West Virginia’s Opioid Settlement Money.”

Best Light Feature:

First, Rebecca Williams, WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV, “Wassailing Helps Singers in Asheville Connect to Ancestral Roots”
Second, Wendy Welch, WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV, “Appalachian Mushroom Experts Welcome Sprouting Newbies.”

Best MMJ/One-Person Band Reporter:

First, Patrick Larsen, VPM News, Richmond, VA
Second, Briana Heaney, WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV, “Many West Side Residents Are Frustrated They’re Still in the Cold.”

Best QA (One-on-One) Interview:

First, Bill Lynch, WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV, “Interview With an Appalachian Village Witch”
Second, Ian Stewart, VPM News, Richmond, VA, “Veronica O. Davis: Civil Engineer, Transportation Planner, Self-Described Transportation Nerd.”

Best Specialty Reporting:

First, Ben Paviour, VPM News, Richmond, VA, “Politics/Criminal Justice”
Second, Emily Rice, WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV, “Unwinding Medicaid.”

Best Mountain State Heritage:

First, Zack Harold, WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV, “A Family Heirloom in Your Grocer’s Freezer”
Second, Trey Kay and Todd Melby, WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV, “A Fiddler Contemplates the Fate of the Mountain State.”

Excellence in Public Service Through Journalism:

First, Mitch Hanley, Emily Haavik and Tasha A.F. Lemley, WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV, “Us & Them: The Challenges of Incarcerated Persons”
- This entry included the following stories:
Second, Eric Douglas, WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV, “Getting Into Their Reality: Caring for Aging Parents.”

WVPB Announces Finalists For 74th Annual Virginias Associated Press Broadcasters Awards

West Virginia Public Broadcasting is proud to announce eleven finalists in nine categories for the 74th Annual Virginias Associated Press Broadcasters Awards. The awards will be announced Saturday, April 1, 2023, at The Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs. The event honors the best work of 2022 and is open to Virginia and West Virginia broadcasters.

Teresa Wills Nominated for Best Radio News Anchor for Second Year in a Row

CHARLESTON, WV: West Virginia Public Broadcasting is proud to announce eleven finalists in nine categories for the 74^th Annual Virginias Associated Press Broadcasters Awards. The awards will be announced Saturday, April 1, 2023, at The Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs. The event honors the best work of 2022 and is open to Virginia and West Virginia broadcasters.

“We are extremely excited that many of our employees at West Virginia Public Broadcasting are being recognized by our industry peers for continuing to produce award-winning news coverage,” said Butch Antolini, WVPB Executive Director. “We take pride in our work, and this continues a long tradition of WVPB being honored by regional and national organizations for our journalistic excellence.”

WVPB Nominations include:

Best Radio News Anchor: 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: Trey Kay and Emily Haavik, WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV, “Court of Second Chances”
Best Spot News: Caroline MacGregor, WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV, “Airport Expansion’s Potential Impact on Coonskin Park Worries Local Residents.”
Best Documentary or In-Depth: Trey Kay and Marisa Helms, WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV, “The Gun Divide”; Jessica Lilly, WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV, “West Virginia Water Trails: Rebuilding Buffalo Creek’s Identity.”
Best Light Feature: Mason Adams, WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV, “Floyd’s Friday Night Jamboree Builds Community from Music”
Best QA (One-on-One) Interview: Eric Douglas, WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV, “Arthur’ Author Appears at Book Festival”
Best Specialty Reporting: Chris Schulz, WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV, “Mon County Bans Pride Flags in Schools, Receives Pushback.”
Best Multi-Platform Story: Jessica Lilly, WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV, “West Virginia Water Trails: Rebuilding Buffalo Creek’s Identity.”
Best Mountain State Heritage: Lauren Griffin, WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV, “Dirt, Soot, Smoke and Oil: Mechanics Take on the Dirty Job of Repairing Antique Trains”; Zack Harold, WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV, “A Guitar Surgeon Gives Old Instruments Their Voices Back.”

The Virginias AP Broadcasters group is an independent association comprised of local radio and television members of The Associated Press from throughout Virginia and West Virginia. The group honors important broadcast journalism through our annual awards contest.

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 Celebrates 13 Finalists In 2021 Virginias Associated Press Broadcasters Contest

West Virginia Public Broadcasting’s news team and radio department are finalists in the 2021 Virginias Associated Press Broadcasters contest, including Outstanding News Operation.

WVPB’s 13 finalists are represented in 11 categories. Thirty-seven news organizations in Virginia and West Virginia submitted 587 entries. While technically not part of the news department, Teresa Wills was nominated for the first time as best anchor for WVPB’s morning radio show West Virginia Morning.

First and second place winners will be announced at the Virginias AP Broadcasters Awards Luncheon on Saturday, March 26 at The Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs.

The list of WVPB finalists below are in random order:

RADIO I/METRO:

Best Continuing News: Liz McCormick, WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV, “Closing the COVID Gap”; Ben Paviour and Whittney Evans, WCVE-FM/VPM, Richmond, VA, “Marijuana Legalization in Virginia.”

Best Documentary or In-Depth: Trey Kay and Ryan Katz, WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV, “Those Who Lack Good Oral Health Face Far More Than a Toothless Hillbilly Stereotype”; Megan Pauley, Sara McCloskey and Crixell Matthews, WCVE-FM/VPM, Richmond, VA, “Dreams Deferred: How an Overlooked Type of School Debt Is Affecting Thousands of Students in Virginia.”

Best Light Feature: Jordan Christie, WHRO-FM, Norfolk, VA, “The Legacy of Grace Sherwood, the Alleged ‘Witch of Pungo'”; Zack Harold, WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV, “Friends and Family Remember Russell Yann, Iconic Owner of Fairmont Hotdog Hotspot.”

Best Serious Feature: Jessica Lilly, WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV, “Woman Underground — How One W.Va. Miner Found Family and Fatherly Connection in Coal”; Sam Turken, WHRO-FM, Norfolk, VA, “It’s Coming Quicker Than We Realize: Reckoning With a Future of More Flooding.”

Best Sports Feature: Jessica Lilly, WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV, “Fayetteville Native Takes 7th in Paralympics 100-Meters”; Ian Stewart, WCVE-FM/VPM, Richmond, VA, “One Year In, Black Girls Hike RVA Still Breaking Stereotypes.”

Best Reporter: June Leffler, WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV; Jessica Lilly, WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV.

Best QA (One-on-One) Interview: Gene Marrano, WFIR-AM/FM, Roanoke, VA, “Dopesick-Hulu Interview”; Liz McCormick, WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV, “Returning Home: Berkeley County Special Education Teacher Lifts up Students With Disabilities.”

Best Website: WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV.

Best Radio News Anchor: Jeff Stapleton, WRVA-AM, Richmond, VA; Teresa Wills, WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV.

Best Mountain State Heritage: Zack Harold, WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV, “Retired Miner Makes Traditional Cream Pull Candy”; Trey Kay and Brad Stratton, WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV, “Us and Them: Blair Mountain.”

Outstanding News Operation of the Virginias: WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV; WVTF-FM, Roanoke, VA.

WVPB Honored Among AP Broadcasters Of The Virginias

West Virginia Public Broadcasting’s team earned seven top honors during the 2019 Virginias AP Broadcasters Contest. Awards were announced May 1 during a virtual awards show. Thirty-five stations in Virginia and West Virginia submitted 535 entries in the contest, which featured news and sports stories from 2019.

WVPB Executive Director Chuck Roberts said he’s proud of the team.

“All of us at WVPB are proud of our team members that earned awards at this year’s virtual AP Awards,” Roberts said. “Our talented employees in the newsroom, video production, and digital departments work hard to bring the stories of West Virginia to the public, and these awards give credence to just how valuable their work is.

“During this pandemic, all of WVPB’s employees have been essential in keeping the flow of news, educational content and entertainment flowing to the viewers and listeners that rely on it. Thank you all for your hard work and attention to detail that make WVPB a vital part of the broadcasting horizon,” Roberts said.

Our Folkways reporter Caitlin Tan took multiple honors for her Arts & Culture reporting, winning in both the Best Specialty Reporting and the Best Mountain State Heritage Reporting for stories about topics like Mothman and Salt Rising Bread. Judges said, “Great storytelling and wonderful use of natural sounds and music.”

Together with data journalist Alexandra Kanik at the Ohio Valley ReSource, Energy and Environment reporter Brittany Patterson won best Investigative Reporting for a deep dive into Governor Justice’s family company debts. Patterson also teamed up with WVPB filmmakers Larry Dowling and Chuck Kleine to win in a multimedia journalism category with a story about making mead in the Mountain State.

Our Eastern Panhandle reporter Liz McCormick produced a feature about unseen impacts of the opioid crisis that won in the Best Serious Reporting category. Judges said, “The top two finalists in this [Best Serious Reporting] competition were both well written, professionally produced, and engaging to listeners.”

Our Director of Digital Services Chad Matlick was honored for excellence online in the Best Website category.

_{WINNERS BY CATEGORY}

Best Specialty reporting, Second Place
Caitlin Tan for “Arts and Culture Reporting”

Best Mountain State Heritage, First Place
Caitlin Tan for “The West Virginia Monster That Crept Into International Pop Culture”

Second Place
Caitlin Tan for “How to Bake Bread Like Appalachia’s Ancestors”

Best Multimedia/Online Journalism, Second Place
Brittany Patterson, Larry Dowling and Chuck Kleine for “Mountain State Mead Makers Provide a Taste of Appalachia” (See the video https://youtu.be/14xxKNpcGDA” target=”_blank”>here.)

Best Investigative Reporting, First Place
Brittany Patterson and Alexandra Kanik for “Mine Safety Debt for West Virginia Governor Justice’s Family Companies Grows to $4 Million”

Best Serious Feature, Second Place
Liz McCormick for “Unseen Impacts of Opioid Epidemic: More Autopsies, Staff Shortages and Transporting the Dead”

Best Website, Second Place

_{Chad Matlick}

WVPB Show Recognized Nationally for Reporting Excellence

West Virginia Public Broadcasting (WVPB) earned two national news awards this past weekend for reporting done in 2016.

Radio show and podcast Inside Appalachia won first place in Public Radio News Directors Inc.’s (PRNDI), Long Documentary category for an episode titled “Hippies, Home Birth and the History of Birthing Babies in Appalachia.”

The judges commented: “Well-handled intimacy, deep history and context, the story takes you there.”

WVPB news director Jesse Wright said it’s wonderful that all the hard work that went into the episode was recognized.

“Our talented reporters and producers spent an incredible amount of time examining the issues in this story and developing a compelling storyline for our audience,” he said. “The Inside Appalachia team had out-of-the-box ideas about how to approach these stories. They got out of their comfort zones, and it shows in the final product.”

Inside Appalachia host and co-producer Jessica Lilly, co-producer Roxy Todd, Appalachia Health News coordinator Kara Lofton, and editors Suzanne Higgins and Glynis Board worked on the episode.

Roxy Todd also won first place in PRNDI’s Nationally Edited Soft Feature category for her story titled “In Coal Country, Farmers get creative to bridge the fresh produce gap.”

This award is particularly noteworthy because in this category, entries compete across all divisions – large and small – so the story was up against very stiff competition.

The awards were handed out during the annual PRNDI conference and awards banquet, held June 24, in Miami.

WVPB picked up several Associated Press of the Virginias awards earlier this year, including the Douglas Southall Freeman Award for Public Service in Journalism Excellence for reporting done on the floods that hit southern and central West Virginia in June 2016.

Two WVPB television shows have also been nominated for Regional Emmy Awards – “Inside Appalachia: West Virginia’s 1,000-Year Flood” and “Abracadabra”. Those award winners will be announced later this year in August.