Wednesday, April 02, 2008

WEKU News Team Receives Several Awards

he news staff at WEKU, the public radio service of Eastern Kentucky University, has received numerous awards from the Kentucky Associated Press Broadcasters.

News Director Charles Compton earned first-place awards for Best Newscast, Class 2, and in Best Enterprise/Investigative Reporting, Class 2, for his report on the scarcity of HPV vaccine in east Kentucky. He took second place in Best Enterprise/Investigative Reporting, Class 2, and for his story on the impact casinos could have on horse racing traditions. Compton also earned honorable mention in Class 1 for Best News Reporting.

(Class 1 includes the major market radio and TV stations in Lexington and Louisville, Class 2 includes the more rural stations in Richmond, Bowling Green, Murray, Morehead, etc. Smaller stations are allowed to compete in Class 1.)

Also from WEKU, Ron Smith earned first place in Best Hard News Feature, Class 2, for a segment on the political fallout from a scandal in Bath County, and in Best Light News Feature, Class 1, for his look at an award-winning rest stop near Berea. He also earned an honorable mention in Best Hard News Feature, Class 1, on the political relationship between Sen. Mitch McConnell and the Chemical Weapons Working Group.

Also, Stu Johnson captured first place in Best Sports Reporting, Class 1, for his story on the impact the closure of a Lexington golf course would have on Lexington golfers, and took second place in Best Hard News Feature, Class 1, for his look at the freedom to “panhandle” in Lexington.

Compton noted that Kentucky Public Radio Statehouse Bureau Chief Tony McVeigh, whose reports air regularly on WEKU, earned first place for Best News Reporting and Best Political Coverage, both in Class 1.

In all, Compton added, of the 29 first-place awards presented during the AP ceremony, 19 went to public radio reporters.

WEKU can be heard at 88.9 FM from Richmond/Lexington, 90.9 FM from Hazard, 88.5 FM from London/Corbin, 96.9 FM from Barbourville, 102.5 FM from Middlesboro, and 95.1 FM from Pikeville.

The WEKU “Building Better Communities” Spring Fund Drive begins Friday, April 4, at 6:30 a.m. and lasts through Friday, April 11, at 4 p.m. Financial contributions may be made online at www.weku.fm or, toll free, at 800-621-8890.

SOURCE: EKU press release

No comments: