WSKG Managing Editor Bret Jaspers was honored over the weekend by Public Radio News Directors, Inc (PRNDI). The national organization awarded Jaspers a 2nd place prize for “ Drought Conditions Putting Pressure On New York Grape Vines.” He competed against mid-sized public radio newsrooms across the United Stated.
Broadcast journalists from WSKG Public Media were also among the list of winners honored this month by the New York State Associated Press Association.
General Excellence of Individual Reporting:
1, Monica Sandreczki, WSKG-FM, Binghamton;
2, Eileen Buckley, WBFO-FM, Buffalo;
3, Chris Caya, WBFO-FM, Buffalo.
Enterprise Reporting:
1, Bret Jaspers, WSKG-FM, Binghamton, "Why There's a 'Chasm' Between Families and Insurance Companies over Addiction Treatment";
2, Ellen Abbott, WRVO-FM, Oswego, "Farmers Try to Find Ways to Deal with More Severe Weather";
3, Lauren Rosenthal and Julia Botero, WSLU-FM, Canton, "Heated to Scorching: Last Weeks of the Race for the 116th Assembly Seat."
Documentary:
1, Crystal Sarakas and Bret Jaspers, WSKG-FM, Binghamton, "The Rush: Digging into Addiction";
2, Eileen Buckley, Michael Mroziak and Mike Desmond, WBFO-FM, Buffalo, "The 2016 Buffalo School Board Race";
3, Angelica Morrison, WBFO-FM, Buffalo, "LBJ Visit to Lake Erie Led to Cleaner Waters."
Earlier this spring, "Rush" was also honored by the New York State Broadcasters Association as small market radio's Outstanding Public Affairs Program in 2016.
Spot News Coverage:
1, WBFO-FM, Buffalo, "Former Bethlehem Steel Site Goes Up in Flames";
2, Eileen Buckley, Michael Mroziak and Mike Desmond, WBFO-FM, Buffalo, "Hate Crime Targets Firefighter";
3, Monica Sandreczki, WSKG-FM, Binghamton, " Cuomo Vetoes Farm to Food Bank Bill."
Multimedia Storytelling:
1, Kevin Hogan, Chris Kocher* and Andrew Thayer, (Binghamton) Press & Sun-Bulletin, " Tuned in: BU's College Radio Station Turns 50";
2, Micaela Parker and Tina Russell, (Utica) Observer-Dispatch, "Potato Hill Killer Speaks Out";
3, John Roby, (Binghamton) Press & Sun-Bulletin, "Upstate Sinks in Flood of Legal Opioids."
*Chris Kocher of the Press & Sun Bulletin co-hosts WSKG's Arts Roundup, alongside his spouse Crystal Sarakas.