2017 Professional Contest Winners

PROFESSIONAL CONTEST

Awards presented to winners April 2017.

37 broadcast organizations submitted 597 entries in the contest, which featured news, sports and weather stories from 2017.

Winners posted in no particular order:

RADIO I

Feature | Hard News 

  1. Abe Aboraya, WMFE-FM, Orlando, “PTSD Lingers in First Responders After Pulse”

  2. Bobbie O’Brien, WUSF-FM, Tampa, “An Unknown Future for Military Caregivers of Post-9/11 Veterans”

Feature | Light News

  1. Amy Green, WMFE-FM, Orlando, “Florida’s Ghosts Forests a Sign of Sea Level Rise"

  2. Brendan Byrne, WMFE-FM, Orlando, “Meet the Everyday Astronaut”

Feature | Cultural / Historical

  1. Robin Sussingham, WUSF-FM, Tampa, “Violins of Hope Give Voice to Voiceless of Holocaust”

  2. Alicia Zuckerman, WLRN-FM, Miami, “The Cassettes Of Hurricane Andrew”

General Assignment

  1. Cathy Carter, WUSF-FM, Tampa, “20,000 Join Women’s March in St. Petersburg”

  2. Peter Haden, WLRN-FM, Miami, “Sounds From The South Florida Fair: Youth Livestock Auction”

General Assignment | Long Format

  1. Peter Haden, WLRN-FM, Miami, “It Sounded Like a Thousand Demons’: Caribbean Evacuees Arriving in Florida Recount Hurricanes”

  2. Nadege Green, WLRN-FM, Miami, “Black Women On Being Called ‘Girl’ In The Workplace.”

Breaking News | Station

  1. WDBO-FM, Orlando, “OPD Officer Shooting, OCSO Deputy Death, Manhunt for Suspect”

  2. WOKV-FM, Jacksonville

Continuing Coverage

  1. Peter Haden, WLRN-FM, Miami, “Sunny Daze: Inside South Florida’s Opioid Crisis”

  2. Roberto Roldan and Steve Newborn, WUSF-FM, Tampa, “Seminole Heights Shooting Spree”

Investigative 

  1. Ryan Benk, WJCT-FM, Jacksonville, “Florida Patients Stranded By State-Contracted Ride Service”

  2. Rowan Moore Gerety, WLRN-FM, Miami, “Questionable Records of Miami-Dade’s School Discipline Overhaul”

Series / Franchise Reporting

  1. WLRN-FM, Miami, “Young Survivors: The Unspoken Trauma of Gun Violence”

  2. Stephanie Colombini and Daylina Miller, WUSF-FM, Tampa, “Art Populi: Live Music In Tampa Bay"

Public Affairs

  1. Wilson Sayre and Alicia Zuckerman, WLRN-FM, Miami, “Cell 1: Florida’s Death Penalty in Limbo”

  2. Nicole Darden-Creston, WMFE-FM, Orlando, “Pulse: One Year Later”

Weather Reporting

  1. WOKV-FM, Jacksonville, “Irma Tornado Warning”

Sports Feature

  1. Mark Schreiner, WUSF-FM, Tampa, “Jose Fernandez Celebrates 300 Wins as USF Women’s Basketball Coach”

Use of Sound for Radio

  1. Peter Haden, WLRN-FM, Miami, “Dime a Dozen, Overdose Crisis Rages in South Florida”

  2. Sammy Mack, WLRN-FM, Miami, “Overnight: Inside a Trauma Center Where Specialists Work to Help Young Victims Survive”

Website / Digital

  1. Teresa Frontado, WLRN-FM, Miami; 2, WOKV-FM, Jacksonville

Digital Programming

  1. Teresa Frontado and Katie Lepri, WLRN-FM, Miami

  2. WMFE-FM, Orlando, “Life After Pulse/Orlando Un Año Después”

Reporter

  1. Steven Ponson, WOKV-FM, Jacksonville

  2. Darrell Moody, WDBO-FM, Orlando

News Anchor or Anchor Team

  1. Gene Wexler, WDBO-FM, Orlando

Radio Newscast

  1. WOKV-FM, Jacksonville, “Hurricane Irma Aftermath”

Overall | Station of the Year

  1. WOKV-FM, Jacksonville

 

RADIO II

Feature | Hard News

  1. Jessica Meszaros, WGCU-FM, Fort Myers, “After Protest, Manatee County Votes to Remove Confederate Statue”

Feature | Light News

  1. Jessica Meszaros, WGCU-FM, Fort Myers, “Experience a “Dark Sky Park” in Florida

Feature | Cultural / Historical

  1. Grace King, WUFT-FM, Gainesville, “Cuban Ballet Shoes”

  2. Rachel Iacovone, WGCU-FM, Fort Myers, “Immokalee HS Graduation Rate is Up 5 Years in a Row”

General Assignment

  1. Rachel Iacovone, WGCU-FM, Fort Myers, “Gov. Scott Visits Everglades City, Still Without Power”

General Assignment | Long Format

  1. Jessica Meszaros, WGCU-FM, Fort Myers, “Everglades City Residents Still Without Temporary Housing After Hurricane Irma Storm Surge”

  2. Luke Sullivan, WUFT-FM, Gainesville, “When the Lights Go Out and Stay Out”

Continuing Coverage

  1. WUFT-FM, Gainesville, “Richard Spencer Rally”

  2. Quincy Walters, WGCU-FM, Fort Myers, “City Dumps Toxic Sludge in Dunbar Neighborhood”

Investigative

  1. Jessica Meszaros, WGCU-FM, Fort Myers, “High Arsenic Levels on Pine Island Ignored by DEP, Lee County”

  2. Ethan Magoc, WUFT-FM, Gainesville, “Find Out Florida: Why do Schools Still Collect Social Security Numbers?"

Public Affairs

  1. Ryan Vasquez, WUFT-FM, Gainesville, “After Irma: What’s Next for Florida”

  2. Julie Glenn and Matt Smith, WGCU-FM, Fort Myers, “Trump’s Immigration Orders Hit Home in South Florida”

Weather Reporting

  1. WUFT-FM, Gainesville, “Irma Aftermath”

Sports Feature

  1. Rachel Iacovone, WGCU-FM, Fort Myers, “Bonita Springs YMCA Spends $300,000 on Pickleball”

  2. Caitie Switalski, WUFT-FM, Gainesville, “A Cuban Woman Who Wants To Box”

Reporter

  1. Alexa Lorenzo, WUFT-FM, Gainesville

  2. Grace King, WUFT-FM, Gainesville

Overall | Station of the Year

  1. WGCU-FM, Fort Myers


TELEVISION I / LARGE MARKET

Feature | Hard News

  1. Emerald Morrow and Heather Bailey, WTSP-TV, St. Petersburg, “Who Helps the Hero?“

  2. Dalia Dangerfield and Jonathan Haas, Bay News 9, St. Petersburg, “Hurricane Maria: A Student’s Transition”

Feature | Light News:

  1. Matt Austin and Paul Giorgio, WKMG-TV, Orlando, “Getting Results Award: Cemetery Restoration”

  2. Gaston Toledo and Felix Castro, WSCV-TV, Miami, “Bailarina en la Oscuridad”

Feature | Cultural / Historical

  1. Veronica Cintron and Bobby Collins, Bay News 9, St. Petersburg, “Immigration in America: Field of Fear”

  2. Kathryn Bursch, WTSP-TV, St. Petersburg, “Violins of Hope”

General Assignment

  1. Jeff Joiner and Holly Gregory, Bay News 9, St. Petersburg, “WWII Bomber Squadron Reunion”

  2. Julie Gargotta and Tony Rojek, Florida News 13, Orlando, “Before The Storm”

Non-Breaking Newscast

  1. WKMG-TV, Orlando

  2. WTSP-TV, St. Petersburg, “Brightside: The Morning After the NYC Truck Attack”

Breaking News | Station

  1. WFLA-TV, Tampa, “Emergency Landing”

  2. Bay News 9, St. Petersburg, “Seminole Heights Murderer Caught”

Breaking News | Individual

  1. Nadeen Yanes, WKMG-TV, Orlando, “The Capture of an Accused Cop Killer”

  2. Valerie Boey and Brad Flanagan, WOFL-TV, Orlando, “Markeith Loyd Captured”

Breaking News | Long Format

  1. Erik Sandoval, WKMG-TV, Orlando, “Orlando Airport Gunman”

  2. Laurie Davison, Bay News 9, St. Petersburg, “Hurricane Irma Live”

Continuing Coverage

  1. Bay News 9, St. Petersburg, “Pulse Remembered”

  2. Matt Austin and Donovan Myrie, WKMG-TV, Orlando, “Driving Change: Push For Texting Law”

Investigative

  1. Jarrod Holbrook and Randy Wright, WFTS-TV, Tampa, “Substituting The Truth”

  2. Greg Fox and Mike Kirby, WESH-TV, Winter Park, “Red Light Camera Countermeasures”

Investigative Series

  1. Katie LaGrone and Matthew Apthorp, WFTS-TV, Tampa, “Florida Teachers, Failing & Frustrated”

  2. Adam Walser and Randy Wright, WFTS-TV, Tampa, “Falling Through the Cracks - Sinkhole Investigation”

Series / Franchise Reporting

  1. Matt Austin and Paul Giorgio, WKMG-TV, Orlando

  2. WSCV-TV, Miami, “Mujeres Fuera de Serie”

Public Affairs / Documentary / TV Magazine

  1. Bay News 9, St. Petersburg, “Hurricane Maria: Mainland Impact”

  2. John Handiboe and Gary Darling, Florida News 13, Orlando, “Hurricane Irma: Your Stories”

Weather Reporting

  1. Myrt Price and Tom Zylowski, WFTV-TV, Orlando, “RV Park Destroyed by Hurricane Irma”

  2. Christian Bruey and Ulen Hodges, WFTV-TV, Orlando, “Hurricane Irma Coverage”

Sports Feature

  1. Justin Granit and Angela Clooney, WTSP-TV, St. Petersburg, “Golfing with the Tampa Bay Bucs”

  2. Michael Wash Jr. and Andy Wontor, Florida News 13, Orlando, “The Number 42”

Website / Digital

  1. WSCV-TV, Miami, “Mujeres Fuera de Serie”

  2. Daniel Dahm, WKMG-TV, Orlando

Editor

  1. Matthew Apthorp, WFTS-TV, Tampa

  2. Joe Wagener, WFTV-TV, Orlando

Photojournalist

  1. Timothy F. Kania, Bay News 9, St. Petersburg

  2. Michael Wash Jr., Florida News 13, Orlando

Weathercaster

  1. Bryan Karrick, Florida News 13, Orlando, “Florida: Staying Calm in the Eye of the Storm”

  2. Amy Sweezey, WESH-TV, Winter Park, “Hurricane Irma: Impacts & Aftermath”

Sportscaster

  1. Christian Bruey, WFTV-TV, Orlando.

Multi-Media Reporter (MMJ)

  1. James Sparvero, WKMG-TV, Orlando

Reporter

  1. Laurie Davison, Bay News 9, St. Petersburg

  2. Jarrod Holbrook, WFTS-TV, Tampa

Producer

  1. Adriana Mocciola, WSCV-TV, Miami

  2. Sakina Bowser, WTSP-TV, St. Petersburg

News Anchor or Anchor Team

  1. Jason Guy and Michelle Imperato, WESH-TV, Winter Park

  2. Sheli Muniz, WTVJ-TV, Miami.

Television Newscast | Morning / Midday

  1. WKMG-TV, Orlando

Television Newscast | Evening / Night

  1. WKMG-TV, Orlando

Overall | Station of the Year

  1. WKMG-TV, Orlando


TELEVISION II / MEDIUM MARKET

Feature | Hard News

  1. Merris Badcock and Jennifer Tintner, WPTV-TV, West Palm Beach, “Death Row Decisions: Sentencing Killers to Death May be Harder Under New Florida Law”

  2. Melanie Lawson and Jodi Mohrmann, WJXT-TV, Jacksonville, “Thinking of Suicide”

Feature | Light News

  1. Stephanie Susskind and Maurice Moran, WPTV-TV, West Palm Beach, “Officer Crowder’s K9s”

  2. Derek Kemp and Rachel Polansky, WBBH-TV, Fort Myers, “Best Hurricane Ever”

Feature | Cultural / Historical

  1. WJXT-TV, Jacksonville, “Hometown Boys: A Southern Rock Tragedy”

General Assignment

  1. Christina Leavenworth and Tristan Turner, WEAR-TV, Pensacola, “Woman Accused of Burying Body in Grandmother’s Backyard”

  2. Peter Busch and Josh Kappers, WBBH-TV, Fort Myers, “Trump in Naples”

General Assignment | Long Format

  1. Jennifer Waugh and Travis Anthony, WJXT-TV, Jacksonville, “The Hunt for a Fugitive”

  2. Jim Piggott, WJXT-TV, Jacksonville, “Body Cam Video”

Non-Breaking Newscast

  1. WJAX/WFOX-TV, Jacksonville

  2. Lenny Smith, WINK-TV, Fort Myers

Breaking News | Station

  1. WINK-TV, Fort Myers

  2. WJAX/WFOX-TV, Jacksonville, “Kamiyah Mobley Found”

Breaking News | Individual

  1. Mike Magnoli and Christopher Jones, WPEC-TV, West Palm Beach, “Ft. Lauderdale Mass Shooting”

  2. Chris Lovingood and Derek Kemp, WBBH-TV, Fort Myers, “Chicos Plane Crash”

Breaking News | Long Format

  1. Crystal Moyer, WJXT-TV, Jacksonville, “Rescue During Hurricane Irma”

  2. Lindsey Sablan, WINK-TV, Fort Myers, “SWFL on Fire”

Continuing Coverage

  1. WJXT-TV, Jacksonville, “Congresswoman’s Corruption Case”

  2. WINK-TV, Fort Myers, “Reporting on Irma”

Investigative

  1. Lauren Sweeney and Justin Cubbage, WINK-TV, Fort Myers, “In Custody Deaths”

  2. Michelle Kingston, WINK-TV, Fort Myers, “High School Bathroom Sex Scandal”

Investigative Series

  1. Rachel Polansky and Derek Kemp, WBBH-TV, Fort Myers, “9-1-1 Fatal Flaw”

  2. WPTV-TV, West Palm Beach, “Riviera Beach Investigative Series”

Series / Franchise Reporting

  1. Jenna Bourne and Mike Dorfman, WJAX/WFOX-TV, Jacksonville, “ADA Lawsuits: Social Justice or Shakedown?"

  2. Michelle Kingston and Katie Cribbs, WINK-TV, Fort Myers, “Custom Comfort for an Uncomfortable Price”

Public Affairs / Documentary / TV Magazine

  1. Staci Spanos, WJXT-TV, Jacksonville, “A Disaster Named Matthew”

  2. Todd Ofenbeck and Tiffany Myers, WBBH-TV, Fort Myers, “Irma Special”

Weather Reporting

  1. Vic Micolucci and Chris O’Rourke, WJXT-TV, Jacksonville, “Crisis in Puerto Rico”

  2. WINK-TV, Fort Myers, “Defeating the Deadly Hurricane”

Sports Feature

  1. Kent Justice and Jodi Mohrmann, WJXT-TV, Jacksonville, “Jumbo Shrimp”

  2. Jodi Mohrmann and Sam Kouvaris, WJXT-TV, Jacksonville, “Jacksonville’s Hole in One”

Breaking Sports News

  1. Lynnsey Gardner and Jodi Mohrmann, WJXT-TV, Jacksonville, “Privileged?”

Website / Digital

  1. WJXT-TV, Jacksonville

  2. WEAR-TV, Pensacola

Editor

  1. Wally Lurz, WPEC-TV, West Palm Beach, “Irma Lingers”

  2. Scott Reilly, WBBH-TV, Fort Myers

Photojournalist

  1. Wally Lurz, WPEC-TV, West Palm Beach, “Irma Lingers”

  2. WEAR-TV, Pensacola, “Anchor Wars”

Weathercaster

  1. Jim Farrell, WINK-TV, Fort Myers, “Forecasting the Unpredictable: Irma Hits Southwest Florida”

  2. Mike Buresh, WJAX/WFOX-TV, Jacksonville, “Jacksonville’s Chief Meteorologist”

Multi-Media Reporter (MMJ)

  1. Channing Frampton, WINK-TV, Fort Myers

Reporter

  1. Jenna Bourne, WJAX/WFOX-TV, Jacksonville

  2. Lynda Figueredo, WPEC-TV, West Palm Beach

Producer

  1. Leah Carr, WBBH-TV, Fort Myers, “Chicos Plane Crash”

  2. Vanessa Bein, WBBH-TV, Fort Myers, “Irma Aftermath”

News Anchor or Anchor Team

  1. Jennifer Waugh, WJXT-TV, Jacksonville

  2. Tenikka Smith Hughes, WJAX/WFOX-TV, Jacksonville

Television Newscast | Morning / Midday

  1. WJXT-TV, Jacksonville, “After Hurricane Irma”

Television Newscast | Evening / Night

  1. Will Stewart and Lenny Smith, WINK-TV, Fort Myers

Overall | Station of the Year

  1. WJAX/WFOX-TV, Jacksonville

 

TELEVISION III / SMALL MARKET

Feature | Hard News

  1. Kayla Gaskins, WJHG-TV, Panama City Beach, “Family Searching for Missing Sister”

  2. Julie Montanaro and Ryan Kelly, WCTV-TV, Tallahassee, “Football Fears”

Feature | Light News

  1. Neysa Wilkins, WJHG-TV, Panama City Beach, “Making Mats for the Homeless Out of Plastic Bags”

  2. Haley Wade, WCJB-TV, Gainesville, “Men Find Friendship During Richard Spencer Rally”

Feature | Cultural/Historical

  1. Mariel Carbone, WCTV-TV, Tallahassee, “49 Days in Leon County Jail”

  2. Jennifer Holton, WJHG-TV, Panama City Beach, “Father’s Body Found Years After Pearl Harbor Attack”

General Assignment

  1. Erika Fernandez , WCTV-TV, Tallahassee, “Southwood American Flag Controversy”

  2. Byron Khalil, WJHG-TV, Panama City Beach, “Man Wants Safer Biking Options After Crash.”

General Assignment | Long Format

  1. Byron Khalil, WJHG-TV, Panama City Beach, “Cleaning Up The Beach”

Non-Breaking Newscast

  1. Shannah Bober, WJHG-TV, Panama City Beach

Breaking News | Station

  1. WCTV-TV, Tallahassee, “Hurricane Irma Live Coverage”

  2. WTXL-TV, Midway

Breaking News | Individual

  1. Lanetra Bennett, WCTV-TV, Tallahassee, “Search For Missing Boy in Lake Talquin”

  2. Mariel Carbone, WCTV-TV, Tallahassee, “Subpoenas Issued in the FBI Investigation Into Tallahassee.”

Breaking News | Long Format

  1. Kayla Gaskins, WJHG-TV, Panama City Beach, “Hurricane Irma Coverage.”

Continuing Coverage

  1. WCTV-TV, Tallahassee, “Fraternity Pledge Death Investigation”

  2. WJHG-TV, Panama City Beach, “The Lucky 7”

Investigative

  1. Alicia Turner, WCTV-TV, Tallahassee, “Cellphones in Prison”

  2. Ashley Richmond, WTXL-TV, Midway, “Insiders: Mistrust in Midway”

Series / Franchise Reporting

  1. Jennifer Holton, WJHG-TV, Panama City Beach, “9/11 Suspects Pretrial Hearings at Guantanamo Bay”

  2. Crystal Bailey and Ron Bates, WCJB-TV, Gainesville, “The Power Behind the Hashtag: #MeToo”

Public Affairs / Documentary / TV Magazine

  1. WCTV-TV, Tallahassee, “Eclipse Special”

  2. Jessica Foster, WJHG-TV, Panama City Beach, “Breast Cancer Awareness”

Weather Reporting

  1. WJHG-TV, Panama City Beach, “Hurricane Irma Coverage”

  2. Charles Roop, WCTV-TV, Tallahassee, “South Georgia Tornado Drill”

Sports Feature

  1. Ben Kaplan and Allison Perry, WCTV-TV, Tallahassee, “Young Athlete Uses Golf to Overcome Cancer”

  2. Joel Sebastianelli, WJHG-TV, Panama City Beach, “Father and Son Boxing Duo"

Breaking Sports News

  1. WCTV-TV, Tallahassee, “Jimbo Fisher Leaves FSU”

Website / Digital

  1. WJHG-TV, Panama City Beach

Weathercaster

  1. Ryan Michaels, WJHG-TV, Panama City Beach

  2. Alexander Calamia, WCJB-TV, Gainesville

Sportscaster

  1. Jamie Hale, WJHG-TV, Panama City Beach

Multi-Media Reporter (MMJ)

  1. Byron Khalil, WJHG-TV, Panama City Beach

  2. Mariel Carbone, WCTV-TV, Tallahassee

Reporter

  1. Erin Lisch, WCTV-TV, Tallahassee

Producer

  1. Shannon O’Keefe, WCTV-TV, Tallahassee

  2. Darling Hill, WCJB-TV, Gainesville

News Anchor or Anchor Team

  1. Malcolm Hornsby, WTXL-TV, Midway

  2. Paris Janos and Jessica Foster, WJHG-TV, Panama City Beach

Television Newscast | Morning / Midday

  1. Laura Peavler, WJHG-TV, Panama City Beach

Television Newscast | Evening / Night

  1. Shannah Bober, WJHG-TV, Panama City Beach

Overall | Station of the Year

  1. WJHG-TV, Panama City Beach