WVPB Newsroom Wins Big At Virginias AP Broadcasters Awards

The winners of the 2024 Virginias Associated Press Broadcasters (VAPB) Awards were announced on April 5 at the Awards Luncheon and Annual Membership Meeting at The Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. West Virginia Public Broadcasting (WVPB) Newsroom won 16 awards this year.

Thirty-four news organizations in Virginia and West Virginia submitted 611 entries into the contest, which featured news and sports stories from 2024.

The WVPB Newsroom received seven first place awards, eight second place awards, with Randy Yohe, WVPB Marshall/Huntington bureau chief, receiving The West Virginia Lifetime Achievement Award.

“I could not be prouder of the WVPB newsroom,” said WVPB Director of Broadcast Journalism, Eric Douglas. “The challenges of telling stories across the entire state are great, but the reporters turn out news stories each day that are important to our audience. And do it as well as anyone in a two-state region.”

“The journalists at West Virginia Public Broadcasting continue to tell stories that have impact on our local communities”, added WVPB Executive Director, Eddie Isom. “They keep West Virginians informed and are committed to the mission of WVPB to educate, inform and inspire.”

The VAPB also awarded a $2,000 scholarship to Claudia Di Lima, 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.

2024 Virginias AP Broadcasters Contest Awards:

The West Virginia Lifetime Achievement Award:

• Randy Yohe, WVPB Marshall/Huntington bureau chief

Combined Division (TV/RADIO):

Best Podcast-Audio:

• First, Trey Kay and Amy Eddings, WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV, “Us & Them: The Geography of Abortion”

Radio I/Metro:

Best Spot News:

• First, Briana Heaney, Jack Walker and Caelan Bailey, WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV “De Soto Arrested”

• Second, Julia White and Harper Emch, WVNS-TV, Beckley-Bluefield-Lewisburg, WV, “Crime in the Coalfields”

Best Continuing News:

• First, Sandy Hausman, WVTF-FM, Roanoke, VA, “Red Onion”

• Second, Emily Rice, WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV, “Early Data Shows Dramatic Fall in Overdose Death Rates; Advocates Advise Caution”

Best Documentary or In-Depth:

• First, Todd Melby and Trey Kay, WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV, “Us & Them: Another Small Town Paper Down“

• Second, Megan Pauly, Jahd Khalil and Whittney Evans, VPM News, Richmond, VA, “Protest Policies at Virginia’s Colleges.”

Best Light Feature:

• First, Briana Heaney, WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV, “Bigfoot Festival Draws Thousands to Sutton“

• Second, Roxy Todd, WVTF-FM, Roanoke, VA, “Afghan Refugees”

Best Serious Feature:

• First, Katherine Hafner, WHRO-FM, Norfolk, VA, “Researchers Look to Virginia’s Barrier Islands for Answers to Climate Change”

• Second, Briana Heaney, WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV, “Residents Along Contaminated Creek Just Want Clean Water“

Best Use of Sound:

• First Cianna Morales, WHRO-FM, Norfolk, VA, “Restoring Voting Rights in Virginia With Fish as the Bait”

• Second, Emily Rice, WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV, “West Virginia’s Vaccine Divide“

Best MMJ/One-Person Band Reporter:

• First, Patrick Larsen, VPM News, Richmond, VA

• Second, Jack Walker, WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV

Best Multi-Platform Story:

• First, Chris Schulz, WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV, “Elkins Cultural Series Brings Native Voices Home“

• Second, Briana Heaney, WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV, “Child Care Centers Want Change; Officials Unsure What That Looks Like“

Best Website:

• First, Emma Gallus, Shane Darling and John Boggess, WMUL-FM, Huntington, WV

• Second, WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV

Best Newscast:

• First, Craig Wright, WVTF-FM, Roanoke, VA

• Second, Maria Young and Teresa Wills, WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV, “Addressing Risky Behavior and the Logistics of Search and Rescue”

Best Mountain State Heritage:

• First, Clara Haizlett, WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV, “Chair Caning Provides Employment and Community for Folks With Visual Impairments in Wheeling, W.Va.“

• Second, Zack Harold, WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV, “Retirement of Longtime Captain Begins New Chapter in Sistersville Ferry’s Long History“

Excellence in Diversity, Equity & Inclusion:

• First, Samantha Gattsek and Trey Kay, WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV, “Us & Them — Is the Playing Field Fair?“

• Second, Brad Kutner, WVTF-FM, Roanoke, VA, “Transgender Day of Visibility.”

About West Virginia Public Broadcasting:

The mission of West Virginia Public Broadcasting (WVPB) is to educate, inform, and inspire people by telling West Virginia’s story. WVPB is an indispensable resource for education, news and public affairs, emergency services and economic development. Learn more at www.wvpublic.org or find us on Facebook and Instagram.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Amanda Rogers
Marketing Manager
304-556-4911
arogers@wvpublic.org