KCUR journalists capture a total of eight awards for excellence in reporting, programming
KANSAS CITY, MO. — Kansas City public radio station KCUR 89.3 FM claimed a total of eight awards for reporting and programming and was named “Radio Station of the Year” at the 2011 Kansas City Press Club Heart of America Awards banquet on Saturday, June 4. The annual Heart of America Awards recognize the area’s best journalists at newspapers and radio and television stations in western Missouri and eastern Kansas. Journalists at KCUR were also honored with three Silver Awards and three Bronze Awards.
Gold Awards went to:
- Business Reporting Category — The staff of KCUR’s Harvest Public Media for a series of reports on Ethanol, providing an “…in-depth look at issues surrounding the ethanol industry and government involvement; well-researched; balanced reporting.”
- Radio Talk Show Category — “Central Standard,” hosted by Jabulani Leffall and produced by Andrea Silenzi, for its emphasis on featuring “local voices.”
Silver Awards went to:
- Business Reporting Category — Frank Morris, KCUR news director, for a series of reports on Agribusiness Consolidation. The award recognized Morris for “…explaining the impact of consolidation and how it affects farmers and consumers. Very informative.”
- Feature Category — Elana Gordon, KCUR reporter, for the report “Accordion Legend,” which profiled local musician Don Lipovac. Gordon was recognized for “…very creatively produced using the music of the subject of the story. Nice natural sound clips.”
- Investigative Reporting Category — Dan Verbeck, KCUR reporter, for the report ” A Finger’s Touch,” which offered an “…interesting examination of the challenges and opportunities facing investigators involving decades-old murder cases.”
Bronze Awards went to:
- News Program Category — KCUR’s “KC Currents” program, co-hosted by Susan Wilson and Sylvia Marie Gross and produced by Alex Smith. The program was recognized for its “…insightful, probing look at diversity and cultural issues. Very good interviews.” Click here for podcasts of archived KC Currents programs.
- Business Reporting Category — Sylvia Maria Gross, KCUR reporter, for her report, “Dodge City Casino.” The report was recognized for “…very well-balanced reporting on an issue many states are addressing as a source of revenue. Well written.”
- Feature Category — Sylvia Maria Gross, KCUR reporter, for her feature, “Revisiting the Leon Jordan Case.” The feature was recognized as “…in-depth feature about a murder mystery reopened and re-examined. Good interviews.”
“I am extremely proud of the KCUR News Department and these awards show that others think their work is great as well,” said Patricia Deal Cahill, KCUR General Manager. “I’m particularly pleased that our new talk show, ‘Central Standard’ and our new local journalism center, Harvest Public Media, were honored.”
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