Kentucky AP Kentucky

Broadcasters Broadcasters
Association
2019 Winners and Judges’ Comments

PROFESSIONAL TV DIVISION I (Louisville and Lexington)

Public Affairs

First Place Great use of personal stories to set up the issue.

WHAS-TV, Louisville Really grabs the viewer right off the top and
Brooke Hasch, Jake Cannon and makes them want to watch more. Getting to the
Taylor Weiter numbers next was key. Experts were
"The Cost of Childhood Cancer" knowledgeable. Left watching the piece and
wanting to take action.
Second Place
WHAS-TV, Louisville Well setup, the story right off the top makes you
Shay McAlister and Beth Peak want to keep watching. The video was incredible.
"It’s Coming Right at Ya!" Makes viewers aware that regulations are not in
place, why they should be and what's currently
being done by schools in the area to keep their
children safe.
Third Place
WHAS-TV, Louisville Very in-depth look at why high insulin prices are
Brooke Hasch, Jake Cannon and an issue. The impact it has on those who need it.
Courtney Hayden Used characters that rely on it. Laid out numbers.
"The Insulin Crisis"
Kentucky AP Kentucky
Broadcasters Broadcasters
Association

Sports Feature

First Place This piece was outstanding start to finish. The

WLKY-TV, Louisville reporter did a great job introducing us to Chester
Scott Eckhardt and Julie Dolan by setting the scene in the small town. Reporter
"Derby Dream" let the interviews tell the story and didn't overdo
it with too many reporter tracks. Finally, the
videography and editing... wow. Great job.
Excellent idea to have a mic on Chester at all
those different events - that really put this story
over the top. Great story that looked like
something you might see on national television.
Second Place
WLEX-TV, Lexington Another great story. The theme of the map
Kylen Mills and Gary Wright worked really well - great job starting with that
"Bluegrass Ironman: The Lisle Adams and then looping it all back together at the end.
Story" Overall, good writing throughout. The different
camera angles in the interview added a nice
touch. The videography was top notch. Kudos to
the photog for finding so many creative ways to
get different angles and cutaways of someone
riding a bike - that can be tough. Well executed
feature and very timely just a few days before the
race.
Third Place
WLEX-TV, Lexington What a powerful story about a brave young man.
Eli Gehn Great job respectfully telling this young man's
"Richie Ward: On His Terms" story of perseverance and fight.
Kentucky AP Kentucky
Broadcasters Broadcasters
Association

Sports Prep Show

First Place Great play by play. Lots of energy. Two hosts who
WLEX-TV, Lexington play well off of one another. A pleasure to watch.
"High School Sportszone"

Second Place
WAVE-TV, Louisville
"Game On"

Third Place
WKYT-TV, Lexington
"High School Game Time"

Sports Special

First Place What an outstanding special showcasing Mr.

WKYT-TV, Lexington Warford's undying spirit and strength. Compelling
Dick Gabriel and Cameron Mills from start to finish. All of the big names they
"Reggie Warford: Fight of His Life" were able to interview on camera really made the
piece. Jamal Mashburn narrating was awesome!
How could you watch this story and not feel
inspired?
Second Place
WKYT-TV, Lexington Great access. Feel like even the diehard fans that
"UK Football: Six Days 'til Saturday" already know a lot about college football learned
something from this. It appeals to a football
audience outside Kentucky as well. Great video
and editing throughout.
Third Place
WHAS-TV, Louisville Really good special. They had all different types
Megan Short, Kent Spencer and Nick of stories and 1 on 1 interviews. The writing was
Goldring great in the anchor's stories too.
"Big Blue Nation"
Kentucky AP Kentucky
Broadcasters Broadcasters
Association

Feature | Sports Videography

First Place
WDRB-TV, Louisville
Dalton Rinehart
"A New Way of Life"

Second Place
WDRB-TV, Louisville
Dominik Fuhrmann

Third Place
WLKY-TV, Louisville
Alex Durham and Dave Mills
"Schimpff's Confectionary"

News Videography

First Place Sophisticated, clear, concise and compassionate

WDRB-TV, Louisville storytelling of a father's very personal story and
Dalton Rinehart the greater implications it has for the community.
Excellent use of crime scene photos and video
with the father to capture both the tragedy and
horror of the story.
Second Place
WHAS-TV, Louisville Compelling video and narrative that captured the
Beth Peak attention immediately. Videography and script
"Lost Between the Lines" both captured the essence of the mystery well.

Third Place
WLEX-TV, Lexington Excellent use of video to highlight the impacts of
Tyler Ross the story through the local residents. Deeply
"Harlan Coal Miners" personal and impactful at the same time.
Kentucky AP Kentucky
Broadcasters Broadcasters
Association

Political Coverage

First Place
WHAS-TV, Louisville
Chris Williams

Second Place
WDRB-TV, Louisville
"Kentucky Governor's Election"

Third Place
WDRB-TV, Louisville
"Presidential Visit"

News Promotion

First Place An effective piece that blends both the past and
WKYT-TV, Lexington the future. The use of archive video showcases
Kellen Dargle and John Nally the years of work you've done, but the promo
"WKYT Stands for Kentucky" also conveys that you're still working hard for
your viewers.
Second Place
WLEX-TV, Lexington Beautifully shot. Great use of sound. Could really
Dave Medley and Nancy Cox feel the anticipation leading up to the race.
"At the Derby - "Time""

Third Place
WDRB-TV, Louisville Love the personalization of this promo - all the
Josh Kidd, Scott Brady and Eric way through the end with the signature effect.
Crawford Beautifully shot, nice graphics. Without knowing
"My Story is Sports" your talent at all, the personal connection still
shined through.
Kentucky AP Kentucky
Broadcasters Broadcasters
Association

Breaking News

First Place This entry showcased the requirements of the

WKYT-TV, Lexington Breaking News category – specifically the
"Lincoln County Pipeline Explosion" “immediate response” required from the news
department. What separated this entry from the
rest was the clear breadth of coverage during the
morning show in the few hours immediately after
the blast. Great showcasing of the cell phone
video. The reporter who lived nearby also added
to the immediacy of the coverage. The social
media content curation from the Alert Desk was
particularly impressive, especially in the early
morning hours. Great use of your meteorologist
to show the smoke from the explosion on radar!
Great job!
Second Place
WHAS-TV, Louisville Liked the before and after image comparison of
"Lincoln County Explosion" the blast, the way you matched up the images
from Google Earth and your drone was very
creative! Thank you for letting us hear from the
people at the shelter early on in the newscast, it
was very powerful, especially the ending of the
story. Nice “news you can use” element talking
about the signs of a gas leak. The church
surveillance video of the blast was a nice
element. Liked the investigative piece later to
round out the coverage – loved the transparency
of letting viewers know the specific questions you
asked them, despite not getting a meaningful
response. And a nice message.
Third Place
WAVE-TV, Louisville Great visuals from the helicopter off the top.
Berry Stockton and Annie Gregory Good information at the shelter. The perspective
"Breaking News Jeffersonville on the 2017 home explosion helped round out
Explosion" your coverage. The 11p.m. package on
responsibility of natural gas pipes inside your
home was a real eye-opener, and very useful for
your audience. And the home surveillance video
(and sound) was a great new addition to the
coverage at 11p.m.
Kentucky AP Kentucky
Broadcasters Broadcasters
Association

Continuing Coverage

First Place Excellent use of nat sounds and captivating

WKYT-TV, Lexington interviews.
Phil Pendleton
"The Rising Cumberland"

Second Place
WLEX-TV, Lexington Great b-roll and images.
"Barrel House Burns"

Third Place
WLKY-TV, Louisville Good reports, good pacing.
Mark Vanderhoff
"Kentucky Governor's Race"

Enterprise Reporting

First Place Important topic facing so many communities -

WHAS-TV, Louisville well researched and honest portrayal of a
Shay McAlister and Beth Peak complicated issue.
"Surrounded by Addiction"

Second Place
WHAS-TV, Louisville Compelling storytelling - strong investigative
Jessie Cohen work and nice use of visual storytelling.
"No Rides, No Care"

Third Place
WDRB-TV, Louisville Strong investigative piece.
Gilbert Corsey and Doug Smith
"Patient Dies on First Day of New
EMS Policy"
Kentucky AP Kentucky
Broadcasters Broadcasters
Association

News Special/Documentary

First Place Terrific work. All the stories were fascinating.

WHAS-TV, Louisville
Shay McAlister and Beth Peak
"Bardstown"

Second Place
WHAS-TV, Louisville Really interesting with lots of great personal
"Living with Addiction" stories. The video and subject were tough, but
very impactful. Nice work.

Third Place
Spectrum News Kentucky, Louisville Very interesting. Nice job breaking down all the
Ashleigh Mills, Rebecca Walters and elements from those who reoffend, to the cost to
Paige Taylor all who live in the community.
"State of Incarceration: What's Going
on Behind Bars"
Kentucky AP Kentucky
Broadcasters Broadcasters
Association
Special Series

First Place A unique and refreshing spin on covering mass

WAVE-TV, Louisville shootings. The comparison between the news
John Boel, Aaron Ellis and Steven coverage 30 years ago and news coverage today
Richard is captivating and the stories of the workers who
"A Standard Massacre" were there absolutely heartbreaking. The second
piece with the reports was so organized and easy
to follow with the graphics, despite the massive
amount of information. Very well-executed.
Second Place
WDRB-TV, Louisville This was such a thorough and well-executed
Chad Mills, Dalton Rinehart and Jason investigation into an issue that is affecting real
Riley people on a day-to-day basis. Great job finding
"Failed by the System" the people affected by it, beyond just the
offender who sparked the story. Getting actual
results is the cherry on top.
Third Place
WDRB-TV, Louisville Nice job of breaking down this case and making it
Katrina Helmer and Jeff Gordon understandable for people who have not been
"Josh Young Confesses" following it from the beginning. Appreciate that
you're presenting the viewer with all the facts
and allowing them to make their own decision
about what the truth is. It was watching an
episode of 20/20 rather than typical local news.

Investigative Reporting

First Place A shining example of true investigative

WDRB-TV, Louisville journalism-- this entry uncovers a problem,
Chad Mills, Dalton Rinehart and Jason humanizes the issue and pushes for solutions.
Riley
"Failed by the System"

Second Place
WDRB-TV, Louisville Nobody likes to second guess a hero but
Gilbert Corsey and Emily Evans following your gut pays off. Well done and
"Faking the Fight" wonderfully executed.

Third Place
WDRB-TV, Louisville A well-told, compelling story. The teamwork here
Katrina Helmer and Jeff Gordon is evident by the great use of video, sound and
"Josh Young Confesses" graphics.
Kentucky AP Kentucky
Broadcasters Broadcasters
Association
Best Digital Coverage

First Place Great use of data visualization with video. Really

Spectrum News Kentucky used all the tools available to tell the story.
Deborah Harbsmeier and Ashleigh
Mills
"State of Incarceration: What's Going
on Behind Bars"

Second Place
WKYT-TV, Lexington

Third Place
WHAS-TV, Louisville
Taylor Weiter
"Unsolved: Bardstown"

TV Reporter

First Place
Spectrum News Kentucky, Louisville
Jonathon Gregg

Second Place
WHAS-TV, Louisville
Paula Vasan

Third Place
WAVE-TV, Louisville
Mike Fussell

Best Multimedia Reporter

First Place
Spectrum News Kentucky, Louisville
Jonathon Gregg

Second Place
WHAS-TV, Louisville
John Charlton

Third Place
WHAS-TV, Louisville
Jessie Cohen
Kentucky AP Kentucky
Broadcasters Broadcasters
Association

Best Producer

First Place
WAVE-TV, Louisville
Greg Phelps Jr

Second Place
WDRB-TV, Louisville
Brandi Utley

Third Place
WHAS-TV, Louisville
Megan Short

Sportscaster

First Place Really strong. A natural presence. Good from ball

WAVE-TV, Louisville sports to the Derby. And he had a guy dunking off
Kent Taylor a see saw with the help of an elephant.

Second Place
WLEX-TV, Lexington
Keith Farmer

Third Place
WKYT-TV, Lexington
Alex Walker
Kentucky AP Kentucky
Broadcasters Broadcasters
Association

TV Editor

First Place This entry did the best job of showcasing editing
WLEX-TV, Lexington that enhances the specific content in the entry -
Dave Medley particularly the pacing, editing and effects used in
the special Kentucky Derby show open. The
editing elevated the overall product, enhancing
the photography and writing.
Second Place
WHAS-TV, Louisville Excellent uses of effects in this entry, especially
Beth Peak for some subject matter for which there wasn't
much video!
Third Place
WDRB-TV, Louisville Loved the effects and editing throughout the
Dalton Rinehart story about the video store! Very creative, and
well-planned. The story about the honor flight
was a good display of what the editor was
capable of.

News Videographer

First Place
WHAS-TV, Louisville
Beth Peak
"Double Punch"

Second Place
WLKY-TV, Louisville
Scott Eckhardt

Third Place
WDRB-TV, Louisville
Justin Hawkins
Kentucky AP Kentucky
Broadcasters Broadcasters
Association

Weather Anchor

First Place Excellent storytelling with compelling visuals to

WDRB-TV, Louisville bring the weather story home to the viewer.
Jude Redfield Strong sense of command and calm during severe
weather.
Second Place
WKYT-TV, Lexington Excellent pacing and inclusion of local expertise
Jim Caldwell to provide perspective of severe weather
impacts.

Feature Reporting

First Place - Good use of file video and sound!

WHAS-TV, Louisville - Amazing job weaving in "surprises" throughout
Shay McAlister the piece, particularly the fact that she bought
"The Best is Yet to Come" the house where her son was killed
- Really powerful final shot and SOT.
Second Place
WDRB-TV, Louisville - Fast-paced editing off the top draws you in
Sterling Riggs and Dalton Rinehart - Good job waiting about 30 seconds to fully
"The Piano Man" reveal and introduce the main character of the
story
- Like how you took a few seconds to pause and
just let the music play -- gave the story room to
breathe
- Really cool how you edited the photos to the
beat of the music.
Third Place
WDRB-TV, Louisville - Very strong soundbites
Hayden Ristevski and Dalton Rinehart - Great writing
"You Don't Sight to Sing" - Nice job holding off on the big reveal -- you
didn't know she was a singer until about 1 minute
into the piece
- Great job finding a strong character.
Kentucky AP Kentucky
Broadcasters Broadcasters
Association

News Anchor

First Place Strong presence both on desk and in the field.

WAVE-TV, Louisville Connects to copy and brings the stories to life
Lauren Jones with her delivery. Very enjoyable to watch.

Second Place
WLKY-TV, Louisville Good delivery and poise, enjoyable to watch. He's
Stephon Dingle well on his way to a good career as a television
anchor. Nice report as well.
Third Place
WAVE-TV, Louisville Strong anchor, command both on the desk and in
John Boel the field.

Daytime Newscast

First Place Great pacing, graphics, delivery.

WAVE-TV, Louisville
Greg Phelps, Jeremy Mertz and
Valerie Paxton

Second Place
WDRB-TV, Louisville Enjoyed the live reports.

Third Place
WKYT-TV, Lexington Great graphics, delivery.
Kentucky AP Kentucky
Broadcasters Broadcasters
Association

Evening Newscast

First Place
WHAS-TV, Louisville
Megan Short, Doug Proffitt and Max
Meiners

Second Place
WAVE-TV, Louisville
Becca Gibson and Aaron Ellis

Third Place
WDRB-TV, Louisville

Overall Excellence

First Place Excellent storytelling, especially videography and

WHAS-TV, Louisville production values. The entries show a common
thread of showcasing, and approaching day-to-
day coverage focused on the brand they want to
project.
Second Place
WDRB-TV, Louisville

Third Place
WKYT-TV, Lexington
Kentucky AP Kentucky
Broadcasters Broadcasters
Association

PROFESSIONAL TV DIVISION II (Paducah, Bowling Green, Hazard, all other markets)

Public Affairs

First Place
WPSD-TV, Paducah
Brianna Clark
"School Threats: Real Consequences"

Second Place
WPSD-TV, Paducah
Brianna Clark
"Social Media Nightmare"

Third Place
WBKO-TV, Bowling Green
Gene Birk
"Feeding Our Children -- School Bus
Cafe"

Sports Feature

First Place What makes this story is telling mostly in the

WYMT-TV, Hazard subject's interviews.
Tommy Pool
"Josh Brock: Race Against Cancer"

Second Place
WPSD-TV, Paducah Well-handled story of two champs from small
Adam Wells town.
"One Town, Two Stop Signs, Two
State Champs"

Third Place
WYMT-TV, Hazard Good treatment of standard "living legend" coach
Willie Hope story.
"Living Legend: Philip Haywood"
Kentucky AP Kentucky
Broadcasters Broadcasters
Association

Sports Prep Show

First Place Nicely, calmly paced; hype-free.

WPSD-TV, Paducah
"Gridiron Glory"

Second Place
WNKY-TV, Bowling Green Compact, fine video and sound.
Matt Foster
"Foster's Football Frenzy"

Third Place
WYMT-TV, Hazard Solid.
"Sports Overtime Saturday Night"

Sports Special

First Place Great focus piece. Really enjoyed the pacing, the
WPSD-TV, Paducah cutaways and the casual exchanges between
Jeff Bidwell, Adam Wells and Chad talent. Well done.
Darnall
"Racing to the Tournament"

Second Place
WYMT-TV, Hazard Awesome job. Editing was superb, took two
"606 Invades Kroger Field" seasons full of action and crafted a wonderful
story line. Really fun to watch.
Third Place
WYMT-TV, Hazard Great shooting and nice sportscast.
"Pigskin Preview Show"
Kentucky AP Kentucky
Broadcasters Broadcasters
Association

Feature | Sports Videography

First Place All of the entries were great, but the winning
WPSD-TV, Paducah entry sticks out. The reporter and editor used
Brianna Clark stimulating, strong visual support for the story.
"Non-surgical Option Helping The information is relevant to anyone who
Improve Vision for Nearsighted Kids" watches this story, and the visual support really
helps tell the story and command the attention of
the viewer. The variation of camera angles, use of
technology to discuss the effect of technology,
and every other piece of video in this story
showed a high level of creativity and expertise.
This is something one would expect to see at the
network level, not at a non-major-market local
station. This was superb!
Second Place
WPSD-TV, Paducah Obviously a very emotional story. The reporter's
Mike Spissinger ability to tell a story is solid. The photography
"No More Chemo" was supportive visually. It was good.

News Videography

First Place Very nice job! shooting and reporting. It can be

WPSD-TV, Paducah really hard to do it all and you made it look easy.
Brianna Clark
"Changing Lives with Wheelchair
Ramps"

Second Place
WEHT-TV, Henderson Really enjoyed watching it.
John Simpson
"Cooper's Story: The Next Chapter"

Third Place
WYMT-TV, Hazard Nice piece!
Connor James
"Former Miner Loses Everything in
Fire"
Kentucky AP Kentucky
Broadcasters Broadcasters
Association

Political Coverage

First Place
WYMT-TV, Hazard
Will Puckett

Second Place
WPSD-TV, Paducah
Todd Faulkner and Mike Spissinger
"Taking Your Issues to Washington,
D.C."

Third Place
WEHT-TV, Henderson
Jake Boswell
"2019 Elections"

News Promotion

First Place
WPSD-TV, Paducah
Ashley Appel and Cathy Crecelius
"Storm Coverage Saving Lives"

Second Place
WPSD-TV, Paducah
Brianna Wooten
"Service and Sacrifice: Continuing a
Legacy"

Third Place
WBKO-TV, Bowling Green
Sheena Markham
"First at 4"
Kentucky AP Kentucky
Broadcasters Broadcasters
Association

Breaking News

First Place
KFVS-TV, Cape Girardeau
"Paducah Tornado"

Second Place
WEHT-TV, Henderson
Joe Bird and Amanda Lawson
"Simple Rewards Fire"

Third Place
WYMT-TV, Hazard
"Deadly Prestonsburg Roof Collapse"

Continuing Coverage

First Place A story like this can be difficult to tell creatively.

WYMT-TV, Hazard The staff of this station answered that challenge
"Blackjewel Protest" successfully. This story was a big deal to the
people locally, and the station staff told that
story with engaging professionalism and made
the viewer angry for the people going through
this ordeal. Following the story from start to
finish, the staff showcased new information as it
was known and supported the information with
strong visual support. This was all around great
work!
Kentucky AP Kentucky
Broadcasters Broadcasters
Association

Enterprise Reporting

First Place
WNKY-TV, Bowling Green
Max Winitz
"Who Killed Twilight?"

Second Place
WEHT-TV, Henderson
Jake Boswell and John Simpson
"Cooper's Story: The Next Chapter"

Third Place
WFIE-TV
Jim Stratman
"Out of Bounds"

News Special/Documentary

First Place
KFVS-TV, Cape Girardeau
Robbyn DeSpain, Nichole Cartmell
and Roger Seay
"Heartland Flood 2019"

Second Place
WBKO-TV, Bowling Green
Lauren Hanson
"Struggling to Survive"

Third Place
WNKY-TV, Bowling Green
Julie Milam, Elijah Smith and Julia
Avila
"Dan Luke and The Raid"
Kentucky AP Kentucky
Broadcasters Broadcasters
Association

Special Series

First Place This series is engaging in both the high-quality

WPSD-TV, Paducah storytelling and the visual aspect. The entry was
Todd Faulkner, Mike Spissinger and twelve minutes that did not feel like twelve
Chad Darnall minutes, and it was what local media should be:
"American Truth" informative and educational. It accomplished
informing and educating without feeling insulting
or like a lecture. This is a major-market quality
product. The notes said this was two of the
twenty parts aired of this series. Was left wanting
to see the other twenty parts. Fantastically done!
Second Place
WPSD-TV, Paducah What a powerful series. It was warm and
Brianna Clark heartfelt. The story telling quality was terrific. It
"Friends in the Fight: The Breast was somewhat simple visually but creative where
Cancer Battle" necessary. This was a case of sometimes less is
more. The simplicity worked, and the visual effort
offered strong support for this story. The visual
support almost told its own story that was
complimentary to the story being told verbally.
That's hard to do, but it was done well. Well
done!
Third Place
WPSD-TV, Paducah The information in this series is both relevant and
Brianna Clark important to people all over the country. The
"Digital Dilemma: Your Child's series was educational. The story telling was very
Eyesight" strong and engaging. The visual support was
strong and appealing and helped keep the story
flowing. The engaging storytelling and visual
support really helped to make this a great
product.
Kentucky AP Kentucky
Broadcasters Broadcasters
Association

Investigative Reporting

First Place
WPSD-TV, Paducah
Leah Shields and Justin Jones
"A Paper Trail"

Second Place
WPSD-TV, Paducah
Leah Shields and Mike Spissinger
"Behind Closed Doors"

Third Place
WPSD-TV, Paducah
Brianna Clark
"School Threats: Real Consequences"

Best Digital Coverage

First Place Enjoyed the interactive graphics. It's a fun and

WYMT-TV, Hazard creative way to keep the users engaged and
Lynnette Cooney informed.

Second Place
WPSD-TV, Paducah Very user friendly. Impressed by the easy to use,
Leanne Fuller and Krystle Callais and informative election guide that contained all
info voters need to know in one place.
Third Place
WBKO-TV, Bowling Green Loved the breakout videos adding different
Dale Parker elements to several stories.
Kentucky AP Kentucky
Broadcasters Broadcasters
Association

TV Reporter

First Place Shows wide range of emotion, appreciated

WPSD-TV, Paducah variety of live-shots and standups.
Leah Shields

Second Place
WYMT-TV, Hazard Strong on-air presence.
Will Puckett

Best Multimedia Reporter

First Place Great storytelling, using reveals to keep the

WPSD-TV, Paducah viewer interested. Great use of GoPro to get
Brianna Clark additional angles, and amazing creativity telling a
very visually challenging story.
Second Place
WYMT-TV, Hazard Great photography and use of nats.
Connor James

Third Place
WPSD-TV, Paducah Nice demonstrative and informative standups.
Jack Kane
Kentucky AP Kentucky
Broadcasters Broadcasters
Association

Best Producer

First Place Great use of viewer photos and videos to

WPSD-TV, Paducah showcase damage across the area. Way to send
James Priewe viewers to the website and tease additional
content.
Second Place
WYMT-TV, Hazard Way to incorporate triple boxes and write to the
Kyle Collier video/coverage. Things moved along at a nice
pace.
Third Place
WPSD-TV, Paducah Nice use of live pictures. Enjoyed the boxes and
Rebecca Mosella use of graphics as well as creative writing.

Feature Reporting

First Place
WPSD-TV, Paducah
Jennifer Horbelt and Mike Spissinger
"He Survived"

Second Place
WPSD-TV, Paducah
Pauline Fitzgerald and Mike
Spissinger
"She'll Get Her Wings"

Third Place
WPSD-TV, Paducah
Leah Shields
"Hats for Hope"
Kentucky AP Kentucky
Broadcasters Broadcasters
Association
Sportscaster

First Place
WYMT-TV, Hazard
Will Puckett

Second Place
WPSD-TV, Paducah
Adam Wells

Third Place
WBKO-TV, Bowling Green
Hunter Smith

TV Editor

First Place Loved the fast-paced movement of shots and

WPSD-TV, Paducah creative use of other graphics/ways of showing
Brianna Clark digital communications.

Second Place
WPSD-TV, Paducah Enjoyed variety of shots.
Mike Spissinger

News Videographer

First Place Every single package makes you feel a different

WPSD-TV, Paducah type of emotion. Good job on mixing up stories
Mike Spissinger and ideas. Really enjoyed it.

Second Place
WPSD-TV, Paducah Excellent all around. So many varieties of shots. It
Brianna Clark can be really hard to set it all up and do what you
did. You went the extra mile. Well done.
Kentucky AP Kentucky
Broadcasters Broadcasters
Association

Weather Anchor

First Place Justin has a great personality and a lot of

WBKO-TV, Bowling Green versatility. Enjoyed the interactive demonstrative
Justin Hobbs live shots.

Second Place
WEHT-TV, Henderson Love the way Joe interacts and engages viewers
Joe Bird by taking and answering questions. He also uses
graphics that are informative and easy to
understand.
Third Place
WYMT-TV, Hazard Paige's forecasts were very informative and easy
Paige Noël to watch. The interactive live shots were great.

News Anchor

First Place Great voice, nice pacing. Felt informative and also
WBKO-TV, Bowling Green kept me engaged.
Gene Birk

Second Place
WBKO-TV, Bowling Green Good personality during studio segments, easy
Madison Martin for viewers to relate with and trust.

Third Place
WEHT-TV, Henderson Excellent interaction and lots of creativity.
Jake Boswell

Daytime Newscast

First Place Excellent morning newscast.

WPSD-TV, Paducah
Rebecca Mosella
Kentucky AP Kentucky
Broadcasters Broadcasters
Association
Evening Newscast

First Place Great job on major stories with limited staff.

KFVS-TV, Cape Girardeau
Carly O'Keefe and Greg Webb

Second Place
WPSD-TV, Paducah Good solid newscast.
James Priewe

Third Place
WBKO-TV, Bowling Green Good solid newscast.
Sam Yaw, Lauren Hanson and Gene
Birk

Overall Excellence

First Place
WBKO-TV, Bowling Green

News Videographer

First Place
WYMT-TV, Hazard
Connor James
Kentucky AP Kentucky
Broadcasters Broadcasters
Association
PROFESSIONAL RADIO (Commercial and Non-commercial)

Short Public Affairs

First Place Clear, concise writing. Good choice of audio...felt

WKYX-FM, Paducah like you were at the march. Well done.
Tim Brockwell
"MLK March"

Second Place
WKYX-FM, Paducah Great, concise writing. Important public service.
Tim Brockwell Great choice of audio to compel help from the
"Dog Kennel Flood" community.

Third Place
WEKU-FM, Richmond Great writing. Love the idea of the series...to
Bill Goodman, Wendy Barnett and remind listeners of the rich history of their great
Mike Savage state.
"Think History - Muhammad Ali"

Long Public Affairs

First Place Such an important issue that doesn't get a lot of

WFPL-FM, Louisville in-depth coverage! Great variety of voices, nat
Amina Elahi sound, and use of the Pokemon metaphor
"The Next Louisville: For Vulnerable ending. Great work!
Young Adults, Ending Homelessness
Requires Dedicated Effort"

Second Place
WKYU-FM, Bowling Green An important topic, that isn't straight forward to
Rhonda Miller cover. Good use of a scene in the beginning.
"Looking for Workers? An Additionally, nice work expanding the topic to a
Owensboro Program is Training Local global level.
Senior Citizens to Fill Positions"

Third Place
WMKY-FM, Morehead Very natural sounding two-way - very
Leeann Akers conversational. Great opener with the pool
"This is My Heart for You" scene. It ques a person in as to why the
conversation is worth listening to.
Kentucky AP Kentucky
Broadcasters Broadcasters
Association

Sports Reporting

First Place Great delivery, and coverage, of local, regional,

WMKY-FM, Morehead and national sports.
Tanner Boyd

Second Place
WKYX-FM, Paducah Favorite part about this entry are the interviews
Joe Jackson with the players. Nice job getting them to talk so
"Talon Talk" passionately about the game.

Third Place
WMKY-FM, Morehead Solid delivery. Good job keeping up the
Leeann Akers enthusiasm late in the report.

Short Light News Feature

First Place Great use of on-location sound and interviews.

WKYX-FM, Paducah Warm and friendly delivery. A solid piece of
Joe Jackson reporting.
"Heavenly Peace"

Second Place
WKYX-FM, Paducah A really well written story. Interesting survivor
Tim Brockwell account.
"Ice Storm"
Kentucky AP Kentucky
Broadcasters Broadcasters
Association

Use of Sound

First Place The sound of the caviar being made puts you
WKMS-FM, Murray right there. The copy and sound bites work
Liam Niemeyer seamlessly to tell the story.
"Kentucky Caviar: How One West
Kentucky Fish Market is Betting on
Fish Eggs"

Second Place
WKMS-FM, Murray Great use of sound bites to tell a sad, but hopeful
Sydni Anderson story. The sound of the motorcycles is a perfect
"Community Gathers at Candlelight way to end the piece.
Vigil for Missing Woman Samantha
Sperry"

Third Place
WKYX-FM, Paducah The sound and copy of this piece brings from
Bill Hughes chaos, a legible story about what seems like a
"Fancy Farm Chants and Insults" very hectic event.
Kentucky AP Kentucky
Broadcasters Broadcasters
Association

Short Serious News Feature

First Place
WKYU-FM, Bowling Green
Becca Schimmel
"Cap on Refugees from Africa Leading
to ‘Hidden Family Separation’ in
Kentucky"

Second Place
WKYU-FM, Bowling Green
Lisa Autry
"Here's Why Hodgenville is Eager to
See an End to Government
Shutdown"

Third Place
WKYU-FM, Bowling Green
Rhonda Miller
"Kentucky Has Highest Rate of Food
Insecurity for Residents in Their 50s"

Political Coverage

First Place So impressed by your ability to seamlessly

WUKY-FM, Lexington transition between your words and sound bites.
Josh James Nat sound was terrific. Every story ended with me
wanting to hear more. Well done!
Second Place
WFPL-FM, Louisville Balance is so important, and the 'Moscow Mitch'
Ryland Barton story was a perfect example. Great use of sound
and of letting it tell the story. Great job!
Third Place
WKYX-FM, Paducah Loved how you incorporated so much sound into
Bill Hughes such a short time. Keeps your attention!
"Fancy Farm Coverage"
Kentucky AP Kentucky
Broadcasters Broadcasters
Association
Continuing Coverage

First Place Showed such great nat sound. The reporter was
WFPL-FM, Louisville able to demonstrate how the story developed
Ryan Van Velzer over time, and how new information emerged
"Bernheim Forest Pipeline" over the course of the summer. Although it was a
very local story, it had some implications for
communities facing similar debates across the
country.
Second Place
WKYU-FM, Bowling Green The reporter was able to follow the national
Becca Schimmel developments in D.C. of a story that will have a
"Retired Coal Miners Make Final Push lot of impact for miners and their families in
to Secure Pension Protections from Kentucky. She showed how a nationally
Congress" significant story can also have local importance.
Followed an issue that does not get covered
enough by media outlets.
Third Place
WKYU-FM, Bowling Green
Lisa Autry
"Hourly Workers at GM's Bowling
Green Plant Join Nationwide Strike"

Long Light News Feature

First Place The writer really helps you understand something

WEKU-FM, Richmond you don't know about firsthand by taking us to
Cheri Lawson and Mike Savage grief camp.
"Grief Camp for Kids"

Second Place
WEKU-FM, Richmond A very good story about someone making a
Cheri Lawson and Mike Savage difference, told by him and the people he affects.
"Road to Recovery"

Third Place
WKYU-FM, Bowling Green A well told story from all around.
Lisa Autry
"As GM Prepares for Big Reveal, the
Home of the Corvette is Buzzing
About New Stingray"
Kentucky AP Kentucky
Broadcasters Broadcasters
Association

Enterprise Reporting

First Place
WHAS-AM, Louisville
Will Clark
"Tennessee Execution"

Second Place
WKMS-FM, Murray
Liam Niemeyer
"Kentucky Supreme Court
Candidate’s Rhetoric Raises Ethical
Questions"

Third Place
WKYU-FM, Bowling Green
Becca Schimmel
"Water Infrastructure Woes: How
Flooding Impacts Homes and the
Water We Rely On"

Special Series/Documentary

First Place Great use of on-location interviews and sound.

WFPL-FM, Louisville Warm but authoritative delivery. Kudos for the
Ryan Van Velzer and Alexandra Kanik inclusion of opposing perspectives.
"Unequal"

Second Place
WFPL-FM, Louisville Solid investigative reporting. Makes a complex
Eleanor Klibanoff issue understandable and relatable. Great use of
"Prosecution Declined" police 911 and body cam audio.

Third Place
WKYU-FM, Bowling Green Excellent use of on location sound and
Rhonda Miller interviews. Really humanizes people few of us
"Elder Refugees in Kentucky Face will ever meet in person.
Challenges Related to Language,
Hunger, and Isolation"
Kentucky AP Kentucky
Broadcasters Broadcasters
Association

Long Serious News Feature

First Place
WKYU-FM, Bowling Green
Barbara Deeb
"Kentucky Civil Rights Activist Charles
Neblett Reflects on Fight for Equality"

Second Place
WFPL-FM, Louisville
Amina Elahi
"You Can’t Sell Racist Items at the
State Fair, but You Can Enter them
for Awards"

Third Place
WEKU-FM, Richmond
Cheri Lawson and Mike Savage
"What Father's Day Means for
Transgender Parents"

Investigative Reporting

First Place
WFPL-FM, Louisville
Jacob Ryan
"Conviction or Not, Seized Cash is
‘Cost of Doing Business’ in Louisville"

Second Place
WFPL-FM, Louisville
Eleanor Klibanoff
"Lacking Sexual Assault Nurses, Some
Kentucky Hospitals Illegally Turn
Victims Away"
Kentucky AP Kentucky
Broadcasters Broadcasters
Association

Digital Coverage

First Place Outstanding! Deeply intertwined data reporting

WFPL-FM, Louisville in a visually enticing way. Visuals didn't detract
from the story but enhanced the reporting.
Creativity with each different story-- utilized
visuals in ways that were unique to each story
and fitting for the content.

Radio Reporter

First Place
WKYU-FM, Bowling Green
Rhonda Miller

Second Place
WKYU-FM, Bowling Green
Lisa Autry

Radio Anchor

First Place
WHAS-AM, Louisville
Suzanne Duvall

Second Place
WHAS-AM, Louisville
Hayley Hansen

Third Place
WUKY-FM, Lexington
Alan Lytle
Kentucky AP Kentucky
Broadcasters Broadcasters
Association
Short Newscast

First Place
WUKY-FM, Lexington

Second Place
WKYX-FM, Paducah
Bill Hughes

Third Place
WMKY-FM, Morehead
Tanner Boyd

Long Newscast

First Place
WMKY-FM, Morehead
Leeann Akers and Chas Jenkins
"Mountain Edition News"

Overall Excellence

First Place Incredible work! Very strong content covering a

WFPL-FM, Louisville wide array of issues with extensive reporting.
Especially found the Prosecution Declined
segment compelling and incredibly well reported.
Great work!
Second Place
WKYU-FM, Bowling Green Strong work covering much of the state. Enjoyed
hearing from a variety of reporters. What stuck
out the most, was the attention to rural areas of
Kentucky, that can easily be missed or
stereotyped - the reporters were able to dig into
the stories that go beyond the typical narrative.
Well done!
Kentucky AP Kentucky
Broadcasters Broadcasters
Association

Sports Feature/Special

First Place Listening takes you straight to the track! Great

WUKY-FM, Lexington use of sound and nice work allowing Mr. Becker
Samantha Lederman to tell his story.
"A Day in the Booth with 'Voice of
Keeneland'"

Second Place
WKYX-FM, Paducah Great story! Exactly how radio should be. Concise
Joe Jackson and informative, but with heart!
"Field of Dreams"

Third Place
WKYX-FM, Paducah Like the contrast of hearing from both a rookie
Bill Hughes player and an alum. The story conveys their
"Cardinals Caravan" passion for the game!