WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. (AP) — Robin Reed, news anchor at WDBJ-TV, was honored on Saturday with The Associated Press Robert Gallimore Distinguished Service Award during the presentation of the 2020 Virginias Associated Press Broadcasters Awards.
Winners were announced at the awards banquet and annual membership meeting at The Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. Reed’s career with the Roanoke station spans nearly four decades and includes teaching as an adjunct instructor at Virginia Tech.
The West Virginia Lifetime Achievement Award was given to John Nakashima, senior producer and director at West Virginia Public Broadcasting. Nakashima has produced, directed, shot and edited documentaries and music programs for West Virginia Public Television since 1976.
The VAPB also awarded two $1500 scholarships to students majoring in broadcast journalism: Josephine Walker of Virginia Commonwealth University and Duncan Slade of West Virginia University.
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Thirty-seven news organizations in Virginia and West Virginia submitted 531 entries in the contest, which featured news and sports stories from 2020.
The VAPB is an independent association comprised of local members of The Associated Press, a not-for-profit news cooperative that represents thousands of newspapers and broadcast stations across the U.S.
Winners in the 2020 Virginias AP Broadcasters Contest:
TVI/LARGE MARKET:
Best Spot News: First, Brent Solomon and Peter Alvey, WWBT-TV, Richmond, VA, “A Battle for Breonna: Outcome Pits Protesters Toe-to-Toe With Police”; Second, Frank Jones, WWBT-TV, Richmond, VA, “Chesterfield Flooding.”
Best Continuing News: First, Margaret Ashburn, Brittny McGraw and Jeff Perzan, WSLS-TV, Roanoke, VA, “20/20 Focus: The Push for Equality Individual Segments”; Second, Mark Curtis, Steven Shaw and Rod Jackson, WOWK-TV, Charleston, WV, “Who’s Murdering Veterans Inside the VA Hospital?”
Outstanding Sports Operation of the Virginias: First, Mark Martin, Josh Lewis and C.J. Harvey, WCHS-TV, Charleston, WV; Second, Lane Casadonte and Sean Robertson, WTVR-TV, Richmond, VA.
Best Documentary or In-Depth: First, Janet Roach and Stephen Wozny, WVEC-TV, Norfolk, VA, “Etched in Stone: The Hurt Behind the Heritage”; Second, Margaret Ashburn, Brittny McGraw and Brittany Furrow, WSLS-TV, Roanoke, VA, “20/20 Focus: The Push for Equality – News Special.”
Best Light Feature: First, Diane Walker and Jennifer Warnick, WWBT-TV, Richmond, VA, “Terminally Ill Patient Fights for Dignity”; Second, Zak Dahlheimer and Justin Fleenor, WTKR-TV/WGNT-TV, Norfolk, VA, “88-Year-Old Math Tutor Helps Families Through Social Media During Pandemic.”
Best Serious Feature: First, Laura French and Curtis Akers, WTVR-TV, Richmond, VA, “Seventeen Years Wasted”; Second, Hannah Goetz and Elbert Mosley, WOWK-TV, Charleston, WV, “Remembering Cassie Johnson.”
Best Sports Feature: First, Adam Winkler, WTKR-TV/WGNT-TV, Norfolk, VA, “Marlins, Mia Make Memories”; Second, Ashley Boles, WDBJ-TV, Roanoke, VA, “My Heart Stopped.”
Best Video Journalist/One Man Band: First, Maggi Marshall, WSET-TV, Lynchburg, VA; Second, Wayne Covil, WTVR-TV, Richmond, VA, “Wayne’s World.”
Best Reporter: First, Brent Solomon, WWBT-TV, Richmond, VA; Second, Evan Watson, WVEC-TV, Norfolk, VA.
Best Specialty Reporting: First, Anita Blanton and Larry Carney, WAVY-TV, Hampton Roads, VA, “Courageous Conversations”; Second, Rachel DePompa, WWBT-TV, Richmond, VA, “Consumer Reporting.”
Best Spot News Photography: First, WSET-TV, Lynchburg, VA, “Protest Violence”; Second, Brandon Graves, WVEC-TV, Norfolk, VA, “Fugitive Shot, Killed.”
Best Feature Photography: First, Adrian Guerra, WVEC-TV, Norfolk, VA, “Oyster Farmer”; Second, A.J. Nwoko, WWBT-TV, Richmond, VA, “An Impressive ‘FEET.’”
Best Multimedia/Online Journalism: First, Karina Bolster, WWBT-TV, Richmond, VA, “Police Investigate Assault Leading to Highway Car Fire”; Second, Karina Bolster, WWBT-TV, Richmond, VA, “400 People Tested in Mass COVID-19 Testing Event.”
Best Investigative Reporting: First, Diane Walker and Jennifer Warnick, WWBT-TV, Richmond, VA, “Nursing Home Investigation”; Second, Leslie Rubin, Larry Clark and Matt Durrett, WCHS-TV, Charleston, WV, “Why Is the Baby With the Mayor?”
Best Website: First, Jeff Williamson, Nicole Del Rosario and Samantha Smith, WSLS-TV, Roanoke, VA; Second, WSET-TV, Lynchburg, VA.
Best News Promo: First, David Stotts and Rob Byrne, WTVR-TV, Richmond, VA, “Cumberland Hospital”; Second, Erik Candiani, Mason Adams and Rob Edmonds, WWBT-TV, Richmond, VA, “A Monumental Election.”
Best Station Promo: First, Erik Candiani, Rob Edmonds and Mason Adams, WWBT-TV, Richmond, VA, “RVA TV: Stronger Together”; Second, Erik Candiani, Terrell Thompson and Mason Adams, WWBT-TV, Richmond, VA, “NBC12 Behind-the Scenes.”
Best Newscast: First, Frank Jones and Sam Maneri, WWBT-TV, Richmond, VA; Second, Bob Bennett, WAVY-TV, Hampton Roads, VA, “Election Day.”
Best Weathercast: First, John Bernier, Matt DiNardo and Michelle Morgan, WRIC-TV, Richmond, VA, “Tornado Outbreak From Isaias”; Second, WSAZ-TV, Charleston/Huntington, WV, “First Warning Weather.”
Best Weathercaster: First, Zach Daniel, WTVR-TV, Richmond, VA; Second, George Flickinger, WSET-TV, Lynchburg, VA.
Best TV News Anchor: First, Bill Fitzgerald, WTVR-TV, Richmond, VA; Second, Taylor Eaton, WSAZ-TV, Charleston/Huntington, WV.
Best TV Sports Anchor: First, Lane Casadonte, WTVR-TV, Richmond, VA; Second, Adam Winkler, WTKR-TV/WGNT-TV, Norfolk, VA.
Best Producer: First, Kelsey Stanger, WVEC-TV, Norfolk, VA; Second, Samantha Maneri, WWBT-TV, Richmond, VA.
Best Team News Coverage: First, WCHS-TV, Charleston, WV, “Honoring a Hero”; Second, WSAZ-TV, Charleston/Huntington, WV, “Officer-Involved Shooting.”
Best Old Dominion Heritage: First, Stephen Wozny, WVEC-TV, Norfolk, VA, “Saving Tangier”; Second, Tom Schaad and Mike Marrero, WAVY-TV, Hampton Roads, VA, “Nat Turner’s Rebellion.”
Best Mountain State Heritage: First, Lily Bradley and Elbert Mosely, WOWK-TV, Charleston, WV, “Woody Williams, Honoring West Virginia’s Native Son.”
Douglas Southall Freeman Award: First, Tony Cavalier, WSAZ-TV, Charleston/Huntington, WV, “Corona Calculus”; Second, Kate Capodanno, Jane Caffrey and Leanna Scachetti, WDBJ-TV, Roanoke, VA, “Spanish Language Newscast.”
Outstanding News Operation of the Virginias: First, Stephen Hayes, Sheryl Barnhouse and David Stotts, WTVR-TV, Richmond, VA; Second, Chris Gegg and Tiaira Shoultz, WVEC-TV, Norfolk, VA.
TVII/SMALL MARKET:
Best Spot News: First, Larmie Sanyon, WBOY-TV, Clarksburg, WV, “Hundreds Gather in Morgantown to Protest for Police Accountability”; Second, Annie Moore, WVVA-TV, Bluefield, WV, “40-Year-Old Cold Case Solved.”
Best Continuing News: First, WCYB-TV, Bristol, VA, “Amber Alert: Evelyn Boswell”; Second, Josh Croup, WDTV-TV, Bridgeport, WV, “Fairmont Regional Medical Center Closure.”
Outstanding Sports Operation of the Virginias: First, Preston Willett and Danielle Stein, WCAV-TV, Charlottesville, VA; Second, Mike Shiers, Riley Wyant and Andrew Webb, WVIR-TV, Charlottesville, VA.
Best Documentary or In-Depth: First, WCYB-TV, Bristol, VA, “Innocence Lost: What Happened to Baby Evelyn?”; Second, Matt Talhelm and Patrick Huddleston, WVIR-TV, Charlottesville, VA, “Pandemic of the Past.”
Best Light Feature: First, Riley Wyant, WVIR-TV, Charlottesville, VA, “Owen’s Outdoor Museum”; Second, Kyle Rogers, WHSV-TV, Harrisonburg, VA, “Heroes and Helpers of 2020.”
Best Serious Feature: First, Matt Talhelm, WVIR-TV, Charlottesville, VA, “Black UVA Professor’s Fight for Tenure”; Second, Caleb Perhne, WCYB-TV, Bristol, VA, “2020 Retrospective.”
Best Sports Feature: First, TJ Eck, WHSV-TV, Harrisonburg, VA, “Road to Redemption: The Pee Wee Barber Story”; Second, Logan Ross and Larry Marrs, WVNS-TV, Beckley-Bluefield-Lewisburg, WV, “Hannah Blankenship.”
Best Video Journalist/One Man Band: First, John Hood, WHSV-TV, Harrisonburg, VA; Second, Jasmin Adous, WDTV-TV, Bridgeport, WV.
Best Reporter: First, Josh Croup, WDTV-TV, Bridgeport, WV; Second, John Hood, WHSV-TV, Harrisonburg, VA.
Best Specialty Reporting: First, Daniel Grimes, WVIR-TV, Charlottesville, VA, “Open for Business”; Second, Josh Croup, WDTV-TV, Bridgeport, WV, “Tasty Tuesday.”
Best Spot News Photography: First, Tara Todd, WVIR-TV, Charlottesville, VA, “Recovering From Flash Flooding in Staunton”; Second, Larry Marrs, WVNS-TV, Beckley-Bluefield-Lewisburg, WV, “McDowell Flooding.”
Best Feature Photography: First, Larry Marrs, WVNS-TV, Beckley-Bluefield-Lewisburg, WV, “Westside Rockets”; Second, Patrick Huddleston and Matt Talhelm, WVIR-TV, Charlottesville, VA, “Pandemic of the Past.”
Best Multimedia/Online Journalism: First, Riley Wyant and Max Marcilla, WVIR-TV, Charlottesville, VA, “Noise Demonstration to Defund the Police.”
Best Investigative Reporting: First, Amanda Mueller, Daniel Rainar and Michael Corley, WBOY-TV, Clarksburg, WV, “Behind the Body Cam”; Second, Caleb Perhne, WCYB-TV, Bristol, VA, “Commissioners Jump the Line for COVID-19 Shot.”
Best Website: First, John Lynch, WTRF-TV, Wheeling, WV; Second, Madison Greer, WHSV-TV, Harrisonburg, VA.
Best News Promo: First, Jared Morrison, WVVA-TV, Bluefield, WV, “Election Night Coverage”; Second, Joey Kinsley, WCAV-TV, Charlottesville, VA, “Severe Weather.”
Best Station Promo: First, Jared Morrison, WVVA-TV, Bluefield, WV, “Here for You”; Second, Joey Kinsley, WCAV-TV, Charlottesville, VA, “Fox Virginia Launch.”
Best Newscast: First, WHSV-TV, Harrisonburg, VA; Second, Autumn Collins, WVNS-TV, Beckley-Bluefield-Lewisburg, WV, “Election Night.”
Best Weathercast: First, David Rogers and Eric Pritchett, WVIR-TV, Charlottesville, VA, “Preparing for Snow”; Second, WBOY-TV, Clarksburg, WV, “Winter Storm Coverage.”
Best Weathercaster: First, Aubrey Urbanowicz, WHSV-TV, Harrisonburg, VA; Second, David Rogers, WVIR-TV, Charlottesville, VA.
Best TV News Anchor: First, Kasey Hott, WVIR-TV, Charlottesville, VA; Second, David Horak, WVNS-TV, Beckley-Bluefield-Lewisburg, WV.
Best TV Sports Anchor: First, Heather Williams, WCYB-TV, Bristol, VA; Second, Preston Willett, WCAV-TV, Charlottesville, VA.
Best Producer: First, Jack Selby, WTAP-TV, Parkersburg, WV; Second, Valerie Sullivan and Heather Hall, WVNS-TV, Beckley-Bluefield-Lewisburg, WV, “Veterans Voices.”
Best Team News Coverage: First, WHSV-TV, Harrisonburg, VA; Second, WVIR-TV, Charlottesville, VA, “COVID Locks Down UVA.”
Best Old Dominion Heritage: First, John Hood, WHSV-TV, Harrisonburg, VA, “Hauntings With Hood”; Second, Andrew Webb, WVIR-TV, Charlottesville, VA, “Preserving History at Burley Middle School.”
Douglas Southall Freeman Award: First, WVNS-TV, Beckley-Bluefield-Lewisburg, WV, “Back-to-School Special.”
Outstanding News Operation of the Virginias: First, WHSV-TV, Harrisonburg, VA; Second, WVNS-TV, Beckley-Bluefield-Lewisburg, WV.
RADIO I/METRO:
Best Spot News: First, Dave Mistich, WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV, “There’s an Endpoint: First Group in West Virginia Vaccinated for COVID-19”; Second, Ian Stewart, WCVE-FM/VPM, Richmond, VA, “Christmas Tree Sales Spike Amid the Pandemic.”
Best Continuing News: First, WVTF-FM, Roanoke, VA, “Richmond’s Summer of Reckoning”; Second, WRVA-AM, Richmond, VA, “A Social Reckoning.”
Outstanding Sports Operation of the Virginias: First, Nick Verzolini and Andrew Rogers, WMUL-FM, Huntington, WV; Second, Randy Leftwich and Greg Roberts, WFIR-AM/FM, Roanoke, VA.
Best Documentary or In-Depth: First, Roxy Todd, Mason Adams and Jessica Lilly, WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV, “Finding a Way Forward”; Second, Trey Kay and Kyle Vass, WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV, “Without a Home Can You Be a Good Neighbor?”
Best Light Feature: First, Gina Gambony, WHRO-FM, Norfolk, VA, “Reporter’s Notebook: A Walk on White Cane Day”; Second, Emily Allen, WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV, “Wrestlers and Fans Venture ‘Out of the Darkness’ With Drive-In Show.”
Best Serious Feature: First, Sandy Hausman, WVTF-FM, Roanoke, VA, “Fentress Released”; Second, Robbie Harris, WVTF-FM, Roanoke, VA, “Virginia Tech Cough Study.”
Best Sports Feature: First, Nick Verzolini, WMUL-FM, Huntington, WV, “Ciara Debell Tries out for Team USA”; Second, Andrew Rogers, WMUL-FM, Huntington, WV, “Obinna Anochili-Killen Standout Athlete of the Week.”
Best Sports Play-by-Play: First, Andrew Rogers, Nick Verzolini and Wesley Steele, WMUL-FM, Huntington, WV, “Marshall Men’s Basketball vs Southern Miss.”
Best Reporter: First, Mallory Noe-Payne, WVTF-FM, Roanoke, VA; Second, Robbie Harris, WVTF-FM, Roanoke, VA.
Best Editorial or Editorial Series: First, Trey Kay, WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV, “Us and Them: Let Us ‘Bind up the Nation’s Wounds.’”
Best Specialty Reporting: First, Caitlin Tan, WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV, “Folktales and Music Bring to Life the West Virginia/Welsh Connection.”
Best Multimedia/Online Journalism: First, Whittney Evans, Julia Rendleman and David Streever, WCVE-FM/VPM, Richmond, VA, “Safer at Home: Evicted During a Pandemic.”
Best Investigative Reporting: First, Dave Mistich and Brittany Patterson, WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV, “Coal Operator Who Fought Against Black Lung Regulations Files for Black Lung Benefits”; Second, Paul Bibeau, WHRO-FM, Norfolk, VA, “Five Hampton Roads Police Departments Have Military Vehicles. Here’s How They Used Them.”
Best News Promo: First, Zane Bowles, WMUL-FM, Huntington, WV, “Alexis- Newscenter 88.”
Best Station Promo: First, Zane Bowles, WMUL-FM, Huntington, WV, “Coronavirus Recruitment.”
Best Newscast: First, WFIR-AM/FM, Roanoke, VA; Second, Benjamin Dolle, WCVE-FM/VPM, Richmond, VA.
Best Radio News Anchor: First, Jessica Lilly, WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV, “Appalachian Strength in the Face of a Pandemic”; Second, Dennis Edwards, WRVA-AM, Richmond, VA.
Best Radio Sports Anchor: First, Gary Hess, WRVA-AM, Richmond, VA.
Best Old Dominion Heritage: First, Sandy Hausman, WVTF-FM, Roanoke, VA, “Professor Apple”; Second, Luke Church, WVTF-FM, Roanoke, VA, “Albert Hash.”
Best Mountain State Heritage: First, Zack Harold, WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV, “A Family Cultivates Tradition With a Nearly-Forgotten Tomato.”
Douglas Southall Freeman Award: First, Sandy Hausman, WVTF-FM, Roanoke, VA, “The COVID-19 Minute.”
Outstanding News Operation of the Virginias: First, WVTF-FM, Roanoke, VA; Second, WRVA-AM, Richmond, VA.
RADIO II/NON-METRO:
Outstanding Sports Operation of the Virginias: First, WINA-AM/FM, Charlottesville, VA.
Best Documentary or In-Depth: First, Janet Michael, WZRV-FM, Front Royal, VA, “Community Health: COVID-19 Vaccine Has Arrived”; Second, Michael Guthrie, WINA-AM/FM, Charlottesville, VA, “The Importance of Property Rights.”
Best Light Feature: First, Randy Woodward, WZRV-FM, Front Royal, VA, “Festivals and Fairs.”
Best Serious Feature: First, Michael Guthrie, WINA-AM/FM, Charlottesville, VA, “How Charlottesville Has Changed Since August 12, 2017.”
Best Sports Feature: First, Jay James and Bobby Chhabra, WINA-AM/FM, Charlottesville, VA, “NCAA Tournament and COVID-19″; Second, Barry Richmond, WAKG-FM, Danville, VA, “Nascar Noise.”
Best Sports Play-by-Play: First, Dave Koehn, WINA-AM/FM, Charlottesville, VA.
Best Reporter: First, Jay Hart, WINA-AM/FM, Charlottesville, VA; Second, Janet Michael, WZRV-FM, Front Royal, VA.
Best Website: First, Janet Michael, WZRV-FM, Front Royal, VA.
Best Station Promo: First, Jon Talbott, WAKG-FM, Danville, VA, “Good Morning, I’m Jack Garrett.”
Best Newscast: First, Jay Hart, WINA-AM/FM, Charlottesville, VA, “Another Go at Governor for Terry”; Second, Jack Garrett, WBTM-AM, Danville, VA.
Best Radio News Anchor: First, Dori Zook, WINA-AM/FM, Charlottesville, VA, “Chief Lantz Crashes the Newscast”; Second, Jack Garrett, WAKG-FM, Danville, VA.
Best Radio Sports Anchor: First, Luke Neer, WINA-AM/FM, Charlottesville, VA.
Outstanding News Operation of the Virginias: First, Dori Zook, Rob Graham and Jay Hart, WINA-AM/FM, Charlottesville, VA, “We Wanna Grab Your Attention.”
