CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (AP) - WWBT-TV in Richmond won Outstanding News Operation of the Virginias for large market television and WVIR-TV in Charlottesville took home the honor Saturday for small market television in the 2014 Virginia Associated Press Broadcasters contest.
On the radio side, public station WVPN-FM, Charleston, W.Va., won Outstanding News Operation among metropolitan stations, and WMUL-FM, Huntington, W.Va., the flagship station for Marshall University, won for non-metropolitan radio.
Large market TV is defined as having a Nielsen Market rating of 1 to 74. Small market is 75 and greater. Metropolitan stations are those licensed to a city with a population size of 50,000 or more. Non-metro stations are in cities with fewer than 50,000 people.
In all, 26 broadcast stations across Virginia and West Virginia were honored at The Virginias AP Broadcast awards luncheon at The Boar’s Head Inn.
The list of winners:
RADIO
METRO CLASSIFICATION:
Outstanding News Operation
Superior, WVPN-FM, Charleston, W.Va.
BEST COVERAGE OF A SPOT NEWS STORY
Superior: WVPN-FM, Charleston, W.Va., “Theatre West Virginia Is Closing”
BEST COVERAGE OF A CONTINUING NEWS STORY
Superior: WTOP-FM, Manassas, Va., “Government Shutdown”
Meritorious: WVPN-FM, Charleston, W.Va., “Patriot Coal vs. UMWA”
Meritorious: WVPN-FM, Charleston, W.Va., “Schools for the Deaf and Blind”
BEST YEAR-ROUND SPORTS
No entries submitted
BEST DOCUMENTARY OR IN-DEPTH REPORT
Superior: WVPN-FM, Charleston, W.Va., “West Virginia at 150”
Meritorious: WTOP-FM, Manassas, Va., “Troubled Waters”
BEST FEATURE OR HUMAN INTEREST
Superior: WTOP-FM, Manassas, Va., “Homeless Search”
Meritorious: WTOP-FM, Manassas, Va., “Arlington Wreaths”
Meritorious: WVPN-FM, Charleston, W.Va., “The Demon Beat”
OUTSTANDING EFFORT BY AN INDIVIDUAL REPORTER
Superior: WVPN-FM, Charleston, W.Va., Glynis Board
BEST EDITORIAL OR EDITORIAL SERIES:
Superior: WTOP-FM, Manassas, Va., “Core Values”
BEST INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING:
Superior: WVPN-FM, Charleston, W.Va., “Oxyana”
BEST WEBSITE
Superior: WVPN-FM, Charleston, W.Va., www.wvpublic.org
DOUGLAS SOUTHALL FREEMAN AWARD FOR PUBLIC SERVICE THROUGH RADIO
No entries submitted
BEST RADIO NEWS ANCHOR OF THE YEAR
Superior: WVPN-FM Beth Vorhees, Charleston, W.Va.
BEST RADIO SPORTS ANCHOR OF THE YEAR
No entries submitted
NON-METRO CLASSIFICATION:
Outstanding News Operation
Superior, WMUL-FM, Huntington, W.Va.
Meritorious, WBTM-AM, Danville
Meritorious, WINA-AM, Charlottesville
BEST COVERAGE OF A SPOT NEWS STORY
No entries submitted
BEST COVERAGE OF A CONTINUING NEWS STORY
Superior: WMUL-FM, Huntington, W.Va., “Memorial Fountain Ceremony”
Meritorious: WNTX-AM, Fredericksburg, Va., “Abduction or Was It?”
Meritorious: WMUL-FM, Huntington, W.Va., “Budget Cut Series”
BEST YEAR-ROUND SPORTS
Superior: WBTM-AM, Danville, Va., “G.W. High School Football”
Meritorious: WINA-AM, Charlottesville, Va., “WINA Sports”
Meritorious: WMUL-FM, Huntington, W.Va., “Women’s Basketball”
BEST DOCUMENTARY OR IN-DEPTH REPORT
Superior: WFLS-FM, Fredericksburg, Va., “Focus: Healthcare”
BEST FEATURE OR HUMAN INTEREST
Superior: WNTX-AM, Fredericksburg, Va., “Holiday Bargain Blitz”
Meritorious: WBTM-AM, Danville, Va., “Cannon Restored”
Meritorious: WMUL-FM, Huntington, W.Va., “Football Confidence”
OUTSTANDING EFFORT BY AN INDIVIDUAL REPORTER
Superior: WMUL-FM Jessica Starkey, Huntington, W.Va.
Meritorious: WMUL-FM Jessica Patterson, Huntington, W.Va.
BEST EDITORIAL OR EDITORIAL SERIES:
No entries submitted
BEST INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING:
No entries submitted
BEST WEBSITE
Superior: WINA-AM, Charlottesville, Va., www.wina.com
Meritorious: WBTM-AM, Danville, Va., www.wbtmdanville.com
Meritorious: WMUL-FM, Huntington, W.Va., www.marshall.edu/wmul
DOUGLAS SOUTHALL FREEMAN AWARD FOR PUBLIC SERVICE THROUGH RADIO
Superior: WNTX-AM, Fredericksburg, Va., “Monday Medical Report”
Meritorious: WINA-AM, Charlottesville, Va., “Gun Policy in Virginia”
Meritorious: WBTM-AM, Danville, Va., “Health Beat”
BEST RADIO NEWS ANCHOR OF THE YEAR
Superior: WNTX-AM Deirdre Blake, Fredericksburg, Va.
Meritorious: WBTM-AM Chuck Vipperman, Danville, Va.
Meritorious: WINA-AM Rob Graham, Charlottesville, Va.
BEST RADIO SPORTS ANCHOR OF THE YEAR
Superior: WRNR-AM Matt Miller, Martinsburg, W.Va.
Meritorious: WBTM-AM Chuck Vipperman, Danville, Va.
TELEVISION
LARGE MARKET:
Outstanding News Operation
Superior, WWBT-TV, Richmond
Meritorious, WAVY-TV, Portsmouth
Meritorious, WVEC-TV, Norfolk
BEST COVERAGE OF A SPOT NEWS STORY
Superior: WWBT-TV, Richmond, Va., “Navy Yard Shootings”
Meritorious: WVEC-TV, Norfolk, Va., “Dangling Driver Rescue”
Meritorious: WAVY-TV, Portsmouth, Va., “Big Tree”
BEST COVERAGE OF A CONTINUING NEWS STORY
Superior: WRIC-TV, Richmond, Va., “The Predator & The School Board Member”
Meritorious: WRIC-TV, Richmond, Va., “A Crack in the ROC”
Meritorious: WAVY-TV, Portsmouth, Va., “Justice for Jenny”
BEST YEAR-ROUND SPORTS COVERAGE
Superior: WSET-TV, Lynchburg, Va.
Meritorious: WWBT-TV, Richmond, Va.
BEST DOCUMENTARY OR IN-DEPTH REPORT
Superior: WWBT-TV, Richmond, Va., “Golden Years Confession”
Meritorious: WRIC-TV, Richmond, Va., “The Cancer Con”
Meritorious: WSET-TV, Lynchburg, Va., “Long Wait for Honors at Arlington”
BEST FEATURE OR HUMAN INTEREST STORY
Superior: WAVY-TV, Portsmouth, Va., “Simple Set of Wheels”
Meritorious: WAVY-TV, Portsmouth, Va., “Stolen Wheelchair”
Meritorious: WRIC-TV, Richmond, Va., “Confronting Cancer: A Father’s Fear”
OUTSTANDING EFFORT BY AN INDIVIDUAL REPORTER
Superior: WRIC-TV A.J. Lagoe, Richmond, Va.
Meritorious: WSET-TV Angela Hatcher, Lynchburg, Va.
Meritorious: WRIC-TV Nate Eaton, Richmond, Va.
BEST EDITORIAL OR EDITORIAL SERIES
Superior: WWBT-TV, Richmond, Va.
BEST SPOT PHOTOGRAPHY
Superior: WAVY-TV, Portsmouth, Va., “Eastern Shore Arsons”
Meritorious: WVEC-TV, Norfolk, Va., “Truck Driver Rescue”
Meritorious: WSLS-TV, Roanoke, Va., “Flood”
BEST FEATURE PHOTOGRAPHY
Superior: WAVY-TV, Portsmouth, Va., “Go Dirty Girl”
Meritorious: WAVY-TV, Portsmouth, Va., “Oceanfront Sand and Latin Fun”
Meritorious: WAVY-TV, Portsmouth, Va., “Loose Goose”
BEST INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING
Superior: WRIC-TV, Richmond, Va., “A.J. Investigates”
Meritorious: WWBT-TV, Richmond, Va., “Cephas Industries”
Meritorious: WRIC-TV, Richmond, Va., “Watching the Watchdog: The SCC Files”
BEST WEBSITE
Superior: WDBJ-TV, Roanoke, Va., www.wdbj7.com
Meritorious: WSAZ-TV, Charleston, W.Va., www.wsaz.com
Meritorious: WSLS-TV, Roanoke, Va., www.wsls.com
DOUGLAS SOUTHALL FREEMAN AWARD FOR PUBLIC SERVICE THROUGH TELEVISION JOURNALISM
Superior: WWBT-TV, Richmond, Va., “12 On Your Side”
Meritorious: WOWK-TV, Charleston, W.Va., “Safe Schools Special”
Meritorious: WSLS-TV, Roanoke, Va., “Making a Difference”
BEST WEATHERCAST OF THE YEAR
Superior: WRIC-TV, Richmond, Va.
Meritorious: WVAH-TV, Charleston, W.Va.
Meritorious: WSLS-TV, Roanoke, Va.
OUTSTANDING EFFORT BY AN INDIVIDUAL WEATHERCASTER
Superior: WRIC-TV John Bernier, Richmond, Va.
Meritorious: WRIC-TV Matt DiNardo, Richmond, Va.
Meritorious: WSAZ-TV Tony Cavalier, Charleston, W.Va.
BEST NEWS ANCHOR OF THE YEAR
Superior: WRIC-TV Amy Lacey, Richmond, Va.
Meritorious: WVEC-TV Lucy Bustamante, Norfolk, Va.
Meritorious: WCHS-TV Elizabeth Noreika, Charleston, W.Va.
BEST SPORTS ANCHOR OF THE YEAR
Superior: WSET-TV Justin Feldkamp, Lynchburg, Va.
Meritorious: WVEC-TV Scott Cash, Norfolk, Va.
Meritorious: WVAH-TV Mark Martin, Charleston, W.Va.
OUTSTANDING EFFORT BY AN INDIVIDUAL PRODUCER
Superior: WRIC-TV Jacqui Sweigart, Richmond, Va.
Meritorious: WCHS-TV Martin Hicks, Charleston, W.Va.
Meritorious: WSAZ-TV Jeremy Edwards, Charleston, W.Va.
TELEVISION
SMALL MARKET:
Outstanding News Operation
Superior, WVIR-TV, Charlottesville
Meritorious, WCAV-TV, Charlottesville
BEST COVERAGE OF A SPOT NEWS STORY
Superior: WTAP-TV, Parkersburg, W.Va., “Wood County Cracker Plant Announcement”
Meritorious: WVVA-TV, Bluefield, W.Va., “Captured Doctor”
Meritorious: WVIR-TV, Charlottesville, Va., “Police Chase Ends in Arrest”
BEST COVERAGE OF A CONTINUING NEWS STORY
Superior: WVIR-TV, Charlottesville, Va., “Search for Alexis Murphy”
Meritorious: WCAV-TV, Charlottesville, Va., “Missing: Alexis Murphy”
Meritorious: WTAP-TV, Parkersburg, W.Va., “PHS Bleachers Condemned”
BEST YEAR-ROUND SPORTS COVERAGE
Superior: WVIR-TV, Charlottesville, Va.
BEST DOCUMENTARY OR IN-DEPTH REPORT
Superior: WVIR-TV, Charlottesville, Va., “Hospital Horror”
Meritorious: WCAV-TV, Charlottesville, Va., “Prison Health Lawsuit”
Meritorious: WHSV-TV, Harrisonburg, Va., “Surviving Lung Cancer”
BEST FEATURE OR HUMAN INTEREST STORY
Superior: WTAP-TV, Parkersburg, W.Va., “Dillon Underwood”
Meritorious: WHSV-TV, Harrisonburg, Va., “The Face of Hope”
Meritorious: WCAV-TV, Charlottesville, Va., “Natural Hair”
OUTSTANDING EFFORT BY AN INDIVIDUAL REPORTER
Superior: WVVA-TV Kristen Conner, Bluefield, W.Va.
Meritorious: WCAV-TV Chris Stover, Charlottesville, Va.
Meritorious: WVIR-TV Henry Graff, Charlottesville, Va.
BEST EDITORIAL OR EDITORIAL SERIES
No entries submitted
BEST SPOT PHOTOGRAPHY
No entries submitted
BEST FEATURE PHOTOGRAPHY
Superior: WHSV-TV, Harrisonburg, Va., “The Face of Hope”
Meritorious: WCAV-TV, Charlottesville, Va., “Elementary Archery”
BEST INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING
Superior: WHSV-TV, Harrisonburg, Va., “The High Cost of Free Speech”
Meritorious: WCAV-TV, Charlottesville, Va., “Medical Clemency Denied”
Meritorious: WVIR-TV, Charlottesville, Va., “Hospital Sends Family Home With Body Parts”
BEST WEBSITE
Superior: WCAV-TV, Charlottesville, Va., www.newsplex.com
Meritorious: WVVA-TV, Bluefield, W.Va., www.wvva.com
Meritorious: WVIR-TV, Charlottesville, Va., www.nbc29.com
DOUGLAS SOUTHALL FREEMAN AWARD FOR PUBLIC SERVICE THROUGH TELEVISION JOURNALISM
Superior: WHSV-TV, Harrisonburg, Va., “Surviving Lung Cancer”
BEST WEATHERCAST OF THE YEAR
Superior: WVIR-TV, Charlottesville, Va.
OUTSTANDING EFFORT BY AN INDIVIDUAL WEATHERCASTER
Superior: WHSV-TV Aubrey Urbanowicz, Harrisonburg, Va.
BEST NEWS ANCHOR OF THE YEAR
Superior: WHSV-TV Gloria Balding, Harrisonburg, Va.
BEST SPORTS ANCHOR OF THE YEAR
Superior: WCAV-TV Damon Dillman, Charlottesville, Va.
OUTSTANDING EFFORT BY AN INDIVIDUAL PRODUCER
Superior: WVIR-TV Amanda Williams, Charlottesville, Va.
Meritorious: WCAV-TV Katie Shelor, Charlottesville, Va.
Meritorious: WTAP-TV Phillip Hickman, Parkersburg, W.Va.
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