2008 Georgia Associated Press Broadcasters Association Awards
GPB Radio was honored by the Georgia Associated Press Broadcasters Association for news reporting at the annual banquet held in Atlanta Saturday, April 26. The following is a list of the GPB winners:
To cycle through the stories, use the navigation buttons at the top right of the player.
(Category A - Large Market)
Best Investigative Reporting – Winner – Orlando Montoya – "Camden County Sheriff"
Montoya works out of GPB's Savannah station, WSVH 91.1 FM. The story focuses on the longtime sheriff of Camden County, who has a popular but illegal inmate labor program.
Best Specialized Reporting – Winner – Dave Bender – "Early County Coal Plant"
Bender serves as Bureau Chief for GPB Radio station WJSP 88.1 FM in Columbus. The story looks at the controversy over a proposed coal-fired power plant on the residents of the town of Blakely in southwest Georgia.
Best Investigative Reporting – Honorable Mention – Emily Kopp – "Mercury"
This story examines the effect Coal fired power plants have on mercury levels in Georgia Rivers.
Best Spot News – Honorable Mention – Josephine Bennett – "Crawford Tornado"
Bennett reports from GPB Radio station WMUM 89.7 in Macon. Her story covers the devastation of the March 1, 2007 tornadoes which swept through Georgia, including Crawford County in Middle Georgia, which injured nine people and destroyed several homes.
(Category B - Small Market)
May Kay Mitchell, News Director for WUGA-FM in Athens, was recognized with several awards:
Best Anchor/Reporter - November 29, 2007 Athens Newscast
Best Use of Sound – "Migrant Health Care"
Best Feature Reporting – "Migrant Health Care"
Mitchell's piece "Migrant Health Care" profiles Colquitt County's one-stop shop for health care for migrant workers, who are an essential part of the state's multi-million dollar farm economy.
Best Series Reporting – "N-BAF Controversy"
Athens-Clarke County is one of the final sites being considered for the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility, a federal lab designed to research dangerous animal diseases. The series of stories looked at how supporters think the facility will be an economic development boost for the area, while opponents believe the lab will be unsafe and will damage the environment.
Best Specialized Reporting - "Alternative Media Center"
Best Spot News – "Women in Black"
WUGA Intern Rebecca Brown looked at this peace organization which has stood in silent vigil in downtown Athens every Tuesday night since the Iraq War began. This story covered the group's 4th anniversary "Honk for Peace event."