2020 Awards

(Received in 2020 for coverage in 2019)

Edward R. Murrow National Award
Large Market

• HARD NEWS - “Exposed to lead in infancy, now Flint’s youngest students face challenges in school,” by reporter Kate Well and editor Sarah Hulett

NYU School of Journalism - finalist in the Top Ten Works of U.S. Journalism of the Decade.

• “Not Safe to Drink” reported and produced by Michigan Radio‘s Lindsey Smith and edited by Sarah Hulett, with additional reporting from Steve Carmody, Rebecca Williams and Mark Brush

2020 Wade H. McCree Award for the Advancement of Justice by the Michigan Press Association Foundation

• "They say their son needs to be in a psychiatric hospital. He went to jail instead” by Sarah Cwiek

Edward R. Murrow, Regional* Large Market Radio Awards, Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA)

* Region 7; consists of public and commercial stations in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois

Category Winners

• HARD NEWS – "Exposed to lead in infancy, now Flint’s youngest students face challenges in school" by Kate Wells and Sarah Hulett
• NEWS SERIES - "Climate Change"
• DOCUMENTARY - “Life on the Inside”  by Lester Graham and the Stateside staff
• MULTIMEDIA -  “Life on the Inside”  by Lester Graham and the Stateside staff

Michigan Association of Broadcasters (MAB) Station Awards:

• STATION OF THE YEAR (Public Radio Group 2)

Best in Category 

• FEATURE/USE OF MEDIUM: "When Ann Arbor Pool Closes to People, Dogs Have Their Days", Doug Tribou
• USE OF NEW MEDIA: "Same Same Different", Bryce Huffman
• NEWSCAST: Newscast, October 11th,, 2019, 8:32 AM
• NEWS SPECIAL OR PUBLIC AFFAIRS PROGRAM: "Life on the Inside", Lester Graham and the Stateside Staff  
• MARKETING MATERIALS AND PROMOS: Same Same Different
• MUSICAL PROGRAMMING: "Mixtape"on Stateside
• MINI-DOCUMENTARY OR SERIES:  "Forty Days on Strike with UAW Local 167" , Dustin Dwyer
• COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: Same Same Different
• MEMBERSHIP APPEAL: Year-End Giving
• HARD NEWS AND CURRENT EVENTS STORY:  "Exposed to Lead in Infancy, now Flint's Youngest Students Face Challanges in School", Kate Wells 
• SPECIAL INTEREST AND CULTURAL PROGRAMMING: "Mornings in Michigan", Doug Tribou and Lauren Talley 

Merit Awards

• FEATURE/USE OF MEDIUM: "Do you Ever Just Need to Smash Something? Here's a Place for That", Dustin Dwyer
• USE OF NEW MEDIA WEBSITE: "Life on the Inside", Lester Graham and the Stateside Staff 
• SPECIAL INTEREST & CULTURAL PROGRAMMING: "Artisans of Michigan", Lester Graham 
   

MICHIGAN ASSOCIATED PRESS AWARDS

First Place

• Outstanding News Operation: Michigan Radio
• Best Feature Story: "When Ann Arbor Pool Closes to People, Dogs Have Their Days", Doug tribou
• Best Reporter/Anchor: Dustin Dwyer
• Best Sports Feature Story: "Shred Like a Girl: Ann Arbor Program Encourages Girls to Pick up a Skateboard.", Isabella Isaacs-Thomas and STateside Staff
• Best Use of Sound (Radio Only):  "Honk! Talking to Geese", Lester Graham 
• Best Use of Photography: "Photographs for Life on the InsideWeb Page." John Patrick McQuire 
• Best Documentary: "Forty Days on Strike With UAW Local 167" Dustin Dwyer 
• Best Continuing Coverage: "UAW Strike Against GM." Michigan Radio 
• Best Enterprise Reporting: "Exposed to Lead in Infancy, Now Flint's Youngest Students Face Challenges in School." by Kate Wells and Sarah Hulett
• Best Investigative Reporting: "Woman Who Had Relationship with Prosecutor in Her Rape Case Wants You to Know: It's Complicated." by Kate Wells
• Best Digital Presence: Michiganradio.org website
• Best Multimedia Storytelling: "Life on the Inside Website", Michigan Radio 

Second Place

• Best Documentary: "Life on the Inside", by Lester Graham and Stateside Staff 
• Best Public Service:  "Legislation Would Expand Expungement Eligibility, Which Could Mean Better Jobs." Lauren Janes and Sarah Hulett
• Best Enterprise Reporting: "In Detroit, a New Approach to Stemming Cycles of Violence: Meeting Victims' Needs" Sarah Cwiek 

PMJA AWARDS - Public Media Journalists Association 

• "Life on the Inside" by Lester Graham and the Stateside Staff
• "Jackson corrections officer talks about mental health toll of working in prison", Stateside 

2019 Awards

(Received in 2019 for Coverage in 2018)

Michigan Association of Broadcasters (MAB)
Station Awards

• STATION OF THE YEAR (Public Radio Group 2)

                Best in Category

• HARD NEWS & CURRENT EVENTS STORY: “Victims Confront Larry Nassar Over Sexual Abuse,” Kate Wells
• NEWS SPECIAL OR PUBLIC AFFAIRS PROGRAM: “Longest-serving exoneree in US history “just glad to be free” after 47 years in prison,” Stateside, Joey Horan, Sarah Leeson, Emma Winowiecki
• NEWSCAST: Newscast: Nov 20, 2018 4:32 PM
• MARKETING MATERIALS & PROMOS: 70^th Anniversary
• MINI-DOCUMENTARY OR SERIES:PFAS
• MUSICAL PROGRAMMING: Mixtape on Stateside
• USE OF NEW MEDIA: “Living with the Divide,” Anthony Brown & Sarah Cwiek

Merit Awards

• COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:Issues & Ale
• SPECIAL INTEREST & CULTURAL PROGRAMMING:Mornings in Michigan,
• FEATURE/USE OF MEDIUM: “Auto Show: Lifestyles of the rich and famous,” Tracy Samilton
• MARKETING MATERIALS & PROMOS: Summer 2018 Listening
• MINI-DOCUMENTARY OR SERIES: “Why aren’t more Michigan veterans getting federal benefits?”
• NEW MEDIA: Believed website

Edward R. Murrow, Regional* Large Market Radio Awards, Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA)
            * Region 7; consists of public and commercial stations in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois

Category Winners

• BEST CONTINUING COVERAGE  - Larry Nassar Case
• EXCELLENCE IN SOUND - Mornings in Michigan: The Early Birder Gets the Warblers, Chickadees, and Orioles by Rebecca Williams, with help from Lauren Talley
• BEST FEATURE REPORTING - Mariachi Group Brings Women to the Front of the Stage by Rebecca Kruth
• BEST HARD NEWS - Protesters Heading Home After Journey to Detention Center Housing Juvenile Migrants by Tracy Samilton
• BEST INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING - Romulus Blames High Lead Levels on One Vacant Home That's Not Vacant by Lindsey Smith

Michigan Associated Press Media Editors (AP) Awards

*Michigan Radio competes in the large market radio category, which includes both public and commercial radio stations that serve Michigan’s largest market of Detroit. 

First Place

• Outstanding News Operation – Michigan Radio News Staff
• Best Continuing Coverage: Michigan Radio – “PFAS”
• Best Investigative Reporting: Bryce Huffman and Kaye LaFond – “One Year After Bias Study, Black Grand Rapids Drivers Skeptical About Improvement”
• Best Sports Feature Story – Doug Tribou & Lauren Talley: Mornings in Michigan: “Rowers Rise Early for Smooth Waters at Detroit River Regatta”
• Best Use of Photography – Bryce Huffman – “Recreational Marijuana Ballot Proposal Passes”
• Best Documentary – Michigan Radio: “Believed”
• Best Public Service – Lindsey Smith – “Should You Worry About Catching Hepatitis A at Southeast Michigan Restaurants?”
• Best Enterprise Reporting – Joey Horan – “Fee or Tax? Detroit’s Controversial Drainage Rate Faces Legal Challenge”
• Best Newscast – Michigan Radio
• Best Digital Presence – Michigan Radio
• Best Multimedia Storytelling – Michigan Radio – “Believed”

Second Place

• Feature Story – Rebecca Kruth – “Mariachi Group Brings Women to the Front of the Stage”
• Sports Feature Story – Bryce Huffman – “A Wheelchair Dodgeball Tournament was About More Than Dodgeball to These Kids”
• Public Service – Lindsey Smith - “Detroit Suburb Says It’s ‘Paying for the Sins’ of MDEQ in Flint Water Crisis, Sues State”
• Use of Photography – Kate Wells – “In Court”
• Use of Sound – Lester Graham – Artisans of Michigan: “Building Cone Tone Resonators”

OTHER

Michigan Radio’s Tracy Samilton received the 2019 Excellence in Personal Finance Reporting Award for “Why the Funeral Rule is one of the least-known consumer protection laws in the country” from the The Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) and the National Endowment for Financial Education (NEFE)

Further Recognition Awarded to Michigan Radio’s Believed podcast:

• Believed was named a winner of a prestigious Peabody Award in the Radio & Podcast category, the station’s first Peabody Award.
• Believed was the winner of thePeople’s Voice Award for Best Podcast - Mini Series in the 23rd Annual Webby Awards from The International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences (IADAS).
• The A.V. Club’s Podcast Superlatives list awarded Believed the title “Best Coverage of a News Story” for 2018
• Penn State University’s Curley Center for Sports Journalism recognized Believed with their Award for Excellence in Coverage of Youth Sports
• Columbia University School of Journalism’s Dart Award for Excellence in Coverage of Trauma was awarded to the Believed podcast’s Episodes 6 and 7, titled “The Parents” and “What Have You Done?”
• The Scripps Howard 2018 Jack R. Howard Award for Radio/Podcast In-depth Coverage was awarded to Believed
• Michigan Radio reporters Lindsey Smith and Kate Wells were named the 2018 Journalists of the Year by the Detroit chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ Detroit).
• The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and the University of Michigan named Lindsey Smith andKate Wells winners of the 2019 Livingston Award for Young Journalists for “Local Reporting” on the Believed podcast. 
• Michigan Radio received two awards from the Public Radio News Directors Inc. (PRNDI).  The station won First Place in the Podcast category for Believed and Second Place in the Nationally Edited Continuing Coverage category for its overall reporting of the Larry Nassar case. 

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2018 Awards 
(Received in 2018 for Coverage in 2017)

Society of Professional Journalists, Detroit Chapter

• BEST RADIO DOCUMENTARY: “How is Detroit Doing?” - Lester Graham for Detroit Journalism Cooperative

Michigan Association of Broadcasters (MAB)
Station Awards

• STATION OF THE YEAR (Public Radio Group 2)

Best in Category

• HARD NEWS & CURRENT EVENTS STORY: “Why Detroit is "ground zero" for surge in land contracts,”  Kaye LaFond & Sarah Hulett
• FEATURE/USE OF MEDIUM: “Michigan theater company gives kids with disabilities a chance to shine on stage,” April Van Buren for State of Opportunity
• NEWS SPECIAL OR PUBLIC AFFAIRS PROGRAM: “We live here: Neighborhood school on the brink of closure,” Jennifer Guerra for State of Opportunity
• NEWSCAST: December 20th, 2017 - 7 AM
• SPECIAL INTEREST & CULTURAL PROGRAMMING: Michigan History segments, Stateside
• COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: Issues & Ale
• MARKETING MATERIALS & PROMOS: Weekday, Weekend, and Capitol Beat
• MEMBERSHIP APPEAL: Giving to Michigan Radio

        Merit Awards

• NEWS SPECIAL OR PUBLIC AFFAIRS PROGRAM: “Better together: How school diversity makes a difference,” Stateside
• SPECIAL INTEREST & CULTURAL PROGRAMMING: “Theater Talk,” Stateside
• NEWSCAST: December 15th, 2017 4 PM
• MUSICAL PROGRAMMING: Mixtape on Stateside
• NEW MEDIA: Michigan Radio Use of New Media

Edward R. Murrow, Regional* Large Market Radio Awards, Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA)
            * Region 7; consists of public and commercial stations in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois

• BEST SPORTS COVERAGE: “How Did This Former CFL Player and Detroit Native End Up in a Chinese Jail?,” Bryce Huffman
• BEST WEBSITE: www.michiganradio.org, Mark Brush and staff
• EXCELLENCE IN SOCIAL MEDIA: “Detroit 1967 in real time,” Michigan Radio staff
• EXCELLENCE IN SOUND: “Artisans in Michigan: Making marimbas,” Lester Graham
• INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING: “Federal Lead and Copper Rule,” Lindsey Smith
• BEST NEWS DOCUMENTARY: “Pushed Out: A documentary on housing in Grand Rapids,” Dustin Dwyer

Michigan Associated Press Media Editors, Large Market Radio Category 
     
First Place:

• OUTSTANDING NEWS OPERATION: Michigan Radio News Staff
• BEST CONTINUING COVERAGE: Kate Wells – Larry Nassar Sexual Abuse Coverage
• BEST INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING: Tracy Samilton – Mental Health Authority
• BEST SPORTS REPORTING: Doug Tribou & Lauren Talley: Mornings in Michigan: “What it takes to get the Big House ready for a game”
• BEST DOCUMENTARY: Dustin Dwyer: “Pushed Out: A documentary on housing in Grand Rapids”
• BEST PUBLIC SERVICE: Rebecca Williams & Kaye Lafond – “Why it's so hard to know exactly how much of Michigan's water is bottled and sold”
• BEST NEWSCAST: Michigan Radio

Second Place:

• DIGITAL PRESENCE: Michigan Radio News Staff
• DOCUMENTARY: Jennifer Guerra – “We Live Here: What happens to students when failing schools close?”
• ENTERPRISE REPORTING: Tracy Samilton – “Prisons work to keep out drug-smuggling drones”
• INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING: Lindsey Smith – Lead and Copper Rule
• REPORTER/ANCHOR: Kate Wells
• PUBLIC SERVICE: Lindsey Smith - “Three years after man-made disaster, Flint filter teams try to keep residents safe”
• USE OF SOUND: Lester Graham – Artisans of Michigan: “Making marimbas”

2017 Awards 
(Received in 2017 for Coverage in 2016)

Michigan Association of Broadcasters (MAB)
Station Award

• Station of the Year (Group 2)      

First Place - Best in Category

• HARD NEWS & CURRENT EVENTS STORY: State police investigation points to different killer in 2007 quadruple homicide, Kate Wells
• MINI-DOCUMENTARY OR SERIES: Flint Water Crisis Coverage on The Environment Report
• SPECIAL INTEREST & CULTURAL PROGRAMMING: Breaking ground: being young and transgender in Michigan, Stateside
• COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: State of Opportunity:  What is life like for undocumented immigrants in Michigan?, and State of Opportunity and the Michigan Roundtable ask: What does peace look like in Detroit?
• MUSICAL PROGRAMMING: Songs from Studio East
• NEW MEDIA: Michigan Radio new media
• NEWSCAST: January 29th, 2016, 8 AM

Merit Awards

• MINI-DOCUMENTARY OR SERIES: Michigan's Juvenile Lifers: Who gets a second chance?
• HARD NEWS & CURRENT EVENTS STORY: Wayne County homeowners who fought "illegal" foreclosures now being evicted
• NEWSCAST: January 21st, 2016, 8 AM
• FEATURE/USE OF MEDIUM: Music class helps foster youth find their voice, Jennifer Guerra
• NEWS SPECIAL OR PUBLIC AFFAIRS PROGRAM: Out from the Shadows: Living Undocumented, Dustin Dwyer for State of Opportunity
• COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: Issues & Ale
• SPECIAL INTEREST PROGRAMMING: The Environment Report

Scripps Howard Foundation
Scripps Howard Award

• RADIO IN-DEPTH COVERAGE: On-going coverage of the Flint water crisis, Lindsey Smith, Steve Carmody, Rebecca Williams, Mark Brush and Sarah Hulett

State Bar of Michigan and the Michigan Press Association Foundation
2017 Wade H. McCree Award for the Advancement of Justice

• Michigan’s Juvenile Lifers: Who gets a second chance?

Edward R. Murrow, Regional* Large Market Radio Awards, Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA)
            * Region 7; consists of public and commercial stations in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois

• BEST CONTINUING COVERAGE: Flint Water Crisis, Michigan Radio Flint News Team
• EXCELLENCE IN SOCIAL MEDIA: 7th District Road Trip, Kate Wells & Jodi Westrick
• EXCELLENCE IN USE OF SOUND: Students recreate the golden age of radio – live on stage, Mark Brush
• BEST FEATURE REPORTING: New life for neglected Jewish cemetery in Detroit, Sarah Hulett
• BEST DOCUMENTARY: Out of the Shadows: Living Undocumented, Dustin Dwyer

Society of Professional Journalists, Detroit Chapter

• Young Journalist of the Year: Kate Wells
• Lifetime Achievement Award: Jack Lessenberry

Michigan Associated Press Media Editors, Large Market Radio Category                           
First Place

• BEST FEATURE STORY: Jennifer Guerra/State of Opportunity, “Read to this barber, get a discount on thatmohawk”
• BEST REPORTER/ANCHOR: Steve Carmody
• BEST USE OF PHOTOGRAPHY: Mark Brush/Rebecca Williams/Tony Brown/Jodi Westrick, "Michigan RadioTumblr”
• BEST USE OF SOUND: Rebecca Williams, “Michigan Photographer Turns Invasive Species into Art”
• BEST PUBLIC SERVICE: Sarah Hulett  and Rebecca Williams, “In Flint, Trust in Flint and the Government Both Elusive”     
• BEST CONTINUING COVERAGE: Kate Wells, “Davontae Sanford”
• BEST ENTERPRISE REPORTING: "Juvenile Lifers: Who Gets a Second Chance?" 
• BEST NEWSCAST: Emily Fox, Michigan Radio

Second Place

• OUTSTANDING NEWS OPERATION: Michigan Radio
• BEST PUBLIC SERVICE: Rebecca Williams and Lindsey Smith, “Lead Flakes in Flint Water Like a Game of Russian Roulette”  
• BEST CONTINUING COVERAGE: Steve Carmody, “Flint Water Crisis”
• BEST DIGITAL PRESENCE: Michigan Radio

National Association of Black Journalists

SALUTE TO EXCELLENCE AWARD: Lester Graham, “Separate and Unequal”

Public Radio News Directors Incorporated (PRNDI)
First Place

• LARGE NEWSROOM – NATIONALLY EDITED CONTINUING COVERAGE: Flint Water Crisis

Second Place

• LONG DOCUMENTARY: Dustin Dwyer & State of Opportunity, “Out From The Shadows: Living Undocumented”

2016 Awards
(Received in 2016 for Coverage in 2015)

Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism

• Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Award : “Not Safe to Drink,” by Lindsey Smith and edited by Sarah Hulett, with reporting help from Michigan Radio‘s Steve Carmody, Rebecca Williams and Mark Brush and editing help from Jennifer Guerra.

Michigan Associated Press
First Place

• Best Continuing Coverage: “Coverage of Flint Water Crisis”
• Best Reporter/Anchor: Lindsey Smith
• Best Investigative Reporting: Mark Brush/Rebecca Williams, "Michigan Officials Changed a Flint Lead Report to Avoid Federal Action"
• Best Use of Sound: Kyle Norris, “Instruments”
• Best Public Service: Mark Brush, “Testing for Lead” 

Second Place

• Outstanding News Operation: Michigan Radio
• Best Documentary: Lindsey Smith, "Not Safe to Drink"
• Best Enterprise Reporting: Kate Wells, "Detroit Retired Firefighters Battle Cancer, Medical Bills" 
• Best Investigative Reporting: Joe Linstroth/Kate Wells, "Sexual Assault Investigations at MSU"
• Best Digital Presence: Michigan Radio

Michigan Association of Broadcasters (MAB)

Station awards

• Station of the Year (Group 2)

First Place- Best in Category

• News Special or Public Affairs Program: Lindsey Smith, “Not Safe to Drink”
• Hard News & Current Events Story: Sarah Hulett, “High lead levels in Michigan kids after city switches water source”
• Special Interest & Cultural Programming: Michigan Radio’s MI Curious Project
• Newscast: Oct. 1, 2015
• Mini Documentary or Series: Zak Rosen, “Bringing Up Detroit”
• New Media: Michigan Radio’s Website/Social Media
• Marketing Materials & Promos: MI Curious Trivia Night

Merit Awards

• News Special or Public Affairs Program: Dustin Dwyer, “The Hidden Epidemic” (State of Opportunity)
• Membership Appeal: “Time Machine”
• Musical Programming: Kyle Norris, “Detroit locals love this neighborhood blues festival”
• Newscast: Dec. 22, 2015
• Marketing Materials & Promos: “Not Safe to Drink” promo
• Feature/Use of Medium: Dustin Dwyer, “This community finally got what people have been asking for: a home football game” 

Edward R. Murrow, Regional* Large Market Radio Awards, Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA)

* Region 7 consists of public and commercial stations in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois

• Best Continuing Coverage:Ongoing Coverage of the Flint Water Crisis, Flint News Team

• Best Documentary: “Not Safe to Drink,” Lindsey Smith

• Best Investigative Reporting: “Sexual Assault Investigations at MSU: a Broken System and the Efforts to Fix it,” Joe Linstroth and Kate Wells were recognized for the series

• Best Sports Reporting: “This Community Finally Got What People Have Been Asking For All Season: A Home Football Game,” Dustin Dwyer

Edward R. Murrow, National Large Market Radio Award, Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA)

Best News Documentary: "Not Safe to Drink," Lindsey Smith, with Sarah Hulett and Jennifer Guerra.

Public Radio News Directors Incorporated (PRNDI)

• First Place Interview: “Living through the Flint water crisis,” Jennifer White
• Second Place Long Documentary: “Not Safe to Drink,” Lindsey Smith, with Sarah Hulett and Jennifer Guerra.

State Bar of Michigan

Wade H. McCree Award for the Advancement of Justice

• “Sexual Assault Investigations at MSU: a Broken System and the Efforts to Fix it,”  Kate Wells and Joe Linstroth

Society of Professional Journalists

• First Place, Radio: Investigative Reporting: “Sexual assault investigations at MSU: a broken system, and the efforts to fix it,” Kate Wells and Joe Linstroth.
• First Place, Radio: Documentary: “Not Safe to Drink,” Lindsey Smith
• Third Place, Radio: Feature Story: “A Detroit mom’s journey from welfare to the workforce,” Lester Graham

The Association for Women in Communications
Clarion Award

• Radio Documentary Series: “Beyond the Battlefield”

National Association of Black Journalists

Salute To Excellence Award

• News: Short Form: “Breast milk company cancels campaign to recruit Detroit moms,” Kate Wells
• News: Long Form: “Bringing Up Detroit,” Zak Rosen

Third Coast Festival
Radio Impact Award recognizing a single documentary or feature that has significantly impacted an individual, group or community

• Lindsey Smith, Sarah Hulett, Steve Carmody, Rebecca Williams, Jennifer Guerra and Mark Brush: “Not Safe to Drink”

2015 Awards

Public Radio News Directors Incorporated (PRNDI)
First Place

• Large Newsroom-Commentary: “Michigan athletics loses magic and fans thanks to Brandon's policies,” John U. Bacon

Second Place

• Breaking News-Nationally Edited: “Lake Erie Algal bloom shuts down Toledo water,” Tracy Samilton and Kate Wells
• Large Newsroom-Newscast: Feb. 7, 2014 Newscast

The Society of Environmental Journalists
Honorable Mention

• Award for Outstanding In-depth Reporting, Large Market: "Politics of Poison" - David Heath and Rebecca Williams for The Center for Public Integrity, Reveal from the Center for Investigative Reporting and Michigan Radio

Society of Professional Journalists
Mark of Excellence Award National Winner:

• Radio News Reporting: "Greenworks Employs Ex-cons" - Reem Nasr

State Bar of Michigan
Wade H. McCree Award for the Advancement of Justice

• “Finding Home: A Documentary about Foster Care in Michigan” – State of Opportunity (Jennifer Guerra, Sarah Alvarez and Sarah Hulett)

Michigan Association of Broadcasters (MAB)
First Place- Best in Category

• Station of the Year: Michigan Radio
• News Special or Public Affairs Program: “The Big Test” – Dustin Dwyer/State of Opportunity
• Mini Documentary or Series: “One Company’s Toxic Legacy” – Rebecca Williams, Mark Brush, Lindsey Smith
• Feature/Use of Medium: “A School That Helps Kids Step Into Their Best Selves” –  Zak Rosen/State of Opportunity
• New Media: Michigan Radio Use of New Media: MichiganRadio.org website

Merit Awards

• Special Interest-Cultural Programming: Stateside with Cynthia Canty
• News Special or Public Affairs Program: “Finding Home” – Jennifer Guerra/State of Opportunity
• Feature/Use of Medium: “The Sweater Wearing Pirates of the Great Lakes” – Rebecca Williams/MI Curious
• Hard News & Current Events Story: “Toxin Shuts Down Toledo Water System”
• Newscast: Newscast, 2-7-14
• Marketing Materials: “Come Over Here, I Want To Show You Something”

Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA)
Edward R. Murrow, Regional* Large Market Radio Awards (*Region 7 consists of public and commercial stations in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois)

• Best Investigative Coverage: “What is the condition of the oil pipeline under the Great Lakes?,” Mark Brush for the station’s M I Curious project
• Best Documentary: “Finding Home,” Jennifer Guerra and Sarah Hulett, with contributing reports from Sarah Alvarez (for State of Opportunity)
• Best News Series: “One Company’s Toxic Legacy,” Rebecca Williams, Lindsey Smith, and Mark Brush, edited by Sarah Hulett (for The Environment Report)
• Radio News Website: Mark Brush, with contributions from the station’s entire news staff

The Association for Women in Communications
National Clarion Awards

• Best Radio Documentary Series: “One Company’s Toxic Legacy,” produced by Rebecca Williams, Lindsey Smith, and Mark Brush,
• Radio Documentary-One Time: “The Big Test,” Dustin Dwyer for State of Opportunity
• Major News Event: “Lake Erie Algal bloom shuts down Toledo water,” produced and reported by Tracy Samilton and Kate Wells

Michigan Associated Press
First Place

• Best Feature Story: "School Helps Kids Step Into Their Best Selves," Zak Rosen
• Best News Documentary: “The Big Test,” Dustin Dwyer for State of Opportunity
• Best Natural Sound: “After 7 Years, A Football Field Of Their Own,” Tracy Samilton
• Best Individual Photojournalism: Lester Graham
• Best Spot Photojournalism: "A Day in the Life of Detroit After Bankruptcy", Ali Lapetina
• Best Website: www.michiganradio.org, Michigan Radio web team

Second Place

• General Excellence: Michigan Radio
• Best Individual Reporting:  Sarah Hulett
• Best Feature Story: "Sweater Wearing Pirates of the Great Lakes," Rebecca Williams

Michigan Association of Broadcasters (MAB)

• Station of the Year (Group 2)
• First Place- Best in Category
• News Special or Public Affairs Program: “Unequal by Law” – Lester Graham
• Mini Documentary or Series: “Detroit Deals with Bankruptcy” – Sarah Cwiek, Sarah Hulett
• Feature/Use of Medium: “Kalamazoo Group Honors WWII Veterans” – Lindsey Smith
• Community Involvement: “State of Opportunity”
• Marketing Materials & Promos: “The Things That Matter” – Tamar Charney, Lindsey Smith, John K. Wilson
• Merit Awards
• Membership Appeal: “Making it Possible” – Tamar Charney, Mercedes Mejia, Tom Sleeker
• Musical Programming: “Songs from Studio East: Frontier Ruckus” – Mercedes Mejia

Society of Professional Journalists, Detroit Chapter

• Young Journalist of the Year, Lindsey Smith

Radio Television Digital News Association
Edward R. Murrow, Regional Awards*
* Region 7 consists of public and commercial stations in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois

• News Documentary, Large Market Radio: “The Education Gap” – Jennifer Guerra for State of Opportunity
• News Website, Large Market Radio – Mark Brush

Michigan Associated Press
-       First Place, Large Market Radio

• Best Spot News: "Detroit Bankruptcy" – News Staff
• Best News Documentary: “Unequal by Law” – Lester Graham
• Best Feature Story: "WWII Veterans" – Lindsey Smith
• Best Website: www.michiganradio.org – Mark Brush
• Best Spot Photojournalism: "Grand Rapids Flooding" – Lindsey Smith
• Best Individual Reporting: Sarah Hulett
• Best Individual Photojournalism: Steve Carmody

-       Second Place, Large Market Radio
-     Best Natural Sound:  "Grand River" – Lindsey Smith
-     Best Individual Photojournalism:  Lindsey Smith
-     General Excellence: Michigan Radio

Public Radio News Directors Incorporated (PRNDI)

• Second Place, Large Newsroom-Soft Feature: “Moving In, Moving Out” – Sarah Cwiek

Association for Women in Communications CLARION AWARD

• Best Radio Documentary Series: “Shooting in Muskegon shed light on hero, and problems” – Dustin Dwyer for State of Opportunity

National Association of Black Journalists

• Salute to Excellence Award, Radio Documentary category: “Race and Racism: A State of Opportunity Documentary” – Jennifer Guerra for State of Opportunity

Scripps Howard

• Finalist, Scripps Howard Award for Radio In-Depth Coverage: “The Education Gap” – Jennifer Guerra

Michigan Radio 2013 Awards

*Awarded in 2013 for 2012 News Coverage

Public Radio News Directors, Inc.

Division A - News Feature

Second Place - Michigan Radio: “Rigged Election Map”

Association of Association for Women in Communications - 2013 Clarion Award

• Salute to Excellence Award/Documentary: “Infant Mortality in Michigan,” Jennifer Guerra

National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ)

• Salute to Excellence Award/Documentary: “Infant Mortality in Michigan,” Jennifer Guerra
• Salute to Excellence Award/Feature category: “Idlewild, the Black Eden, celebrates 100 years” Kate Wells

Michigan Association of Broadcasters
Station awards

• Station of the Year

First Place- Best in Category

• Special Interest & Cultural Programming: “The Living Room” - Allison Downey, Zak Rosen
• Mini Documentary or Series: “Lessons from Isle Royale’s Wolves and Moose” - Rebecca Williams, Mark Brush
• Feature/Use of Medium: “Jackie and Joe” - Kate Wells
• Newscast: August 31st, 2012 - Christina Shockley with Lindsey Smith, Vince Duffy, Steve Carmody
• Musical Programming: “Songs from Studio East” - Mercedes Mejia, Jenn White, Bob Skon
• New Media: “State of Opportunity” - Sarah Alvarez with Jennifer Guerra and Dustin Dwyer
• Community Involvement: “State of Opportunity” - Jenn Guerra, Dustin Dwyer, Sarah Alvarez, Jenn White, Tamar Charney, Vince Duffy, Steve Chrypinski
• Marketing Materials & Promos: “That’s What They Say” - Tamar Charney, Mercedes Mejia, Anne Curzan, Rina Miller
• Membership Appeal: “Giving Voice” - Tamar Charney, Mercedes Mejia, Tom Sleeker

Merit Awards

• Special Interest & Cultural Programming: “That’s What They Say” - Rina Miller, Anne Curzan, Mercedes Mejia
• Mini Documentary or Series: “New International Trade Crossing” - Lester Graham, Sarah Cweik
• Feature/Use of Medium: “Idlewild” - Kate Wells
• Hard News & Current Events: “40 Square Mile Myth” - Kate Davidson
• New Media: “Living with Cancer” - Rebecca Williams, Mark Brush, Sarah Alvarez
• Community Involvement: “Issues and Ale: Truth Squad” - Steve Chrypinski, Lester Graham, Jack Lessenberry

Michigan Associated Press

Station awards

• General Excellence Large Market Radio – Michigan Radio

First Place

• Feature Story: "State of Opportunity: The Problem With Growing Up Poor," Dustin Dwyer and Jennifer Guerra
• News Documentary: "Living with Cancer," Michigan Radio staff
• Natural Sound: "Climbing Melting Ice," Meg Cramer
• Spot Photojournalism: Steve Carmody
• Individual Photojournalism: Mercedes Mejia
• Continuing Coverage: "State of Opportunity," Dustin Dwyer and Jennifer Guerra

Second Place

• Natural Sound – "Visiting a Black Bear Den," Rebecca Williams
• Feature Story – "Idlewild, The 'Black Eden,' Celebrates 100 Years," Kate Wells
• News Documentary – "State of Opportunity: Infant Mortality Documentary,” Michigan Radio staff
• Individual Reporting – Kate Wells
• Spot Photojournalism – Lindsey Smith
• Continuing Coverage – "Palisades Problems," Lindsey Smith
• Website – Michigan Radio staff

Radio Television Digital News Association

• RTDNA/UNITY Award for Documentary: “Infant Mortality in Michigan,” Jennifer Guerra
• 2012 Regional Edward R. Murrow Award
• Best Newscast – Region 7 (Large Market Radio) – Christina Shockley

2012 State Bar of Michigan Wade H. McCree Award for the Advancement of Justice

Lester Graham: No-fault insurance law series

2011 Regional Edward R. Murrow Awards

Best Audio News Series: The Midwest and Manufacturing (Changing Gears)

2011 National Headliner Award

Third Place Broadcast Radio Networks and Syndicators: The Midwest and Manufacturing (Changing Gears)

2011 Detroit Society of Professional Journalists Awards

Spot or Breaking News Reporting

• First: Steve Carmody – “Rich Rodriguez is Fired”

General News Reporting

• First: Sarah Hulett – “Rape Kit Backlog”

Features Reporting

• First: Steve Carmody – “Gold!”
• Second: Sarah Cwiek – “A Personal Story”

Sports Reporting

• First: Kyle Norris – “Autistic Kids Practice Social Skills”

Investigative Reporting

• First: Lester Graham – “Confusion and Consequences”

Automotive Reporting

• First: Tracy Samilton – “Michigan China Connection”

Newscast

• First: Christina Shockley and Michigan Radio Newsroom - Newscast Aug. 16, 7 a.m.

News Special/Documentary

• First: Michigan Radio Newsroom- “Culture of Class”

Open Government Reporting

• First: Lester Graham – “State Police Want Big Bucks”

Young Journalist of the Year

• Finalist – Lindsey Smith

2011 Michigan Associated Press Awards

Station awards

General Excellence – Michigan Radio

First Place

• Continuing Coverage: “Emergency Managers in Michigan,” Michigan Radio staff
• News Documentary: “Culture of Class,” Jen Guerra
• Individual Reporting: Sarah Hulett
• Feature Story: “Foreclosures Decline, While Foreclosure Businesses Thrive,” Kate Davidson
• Natural Sound: “Green Building Conference: Standing out from the Crowd,” Lester Graham
• Website: michiganradio.org, Michigan Radio staff

Honorable Mentions

• Continuing Coverage: “Confusion and Consequences: Changing Michigan’s Auto Insurance,” Lester Graham
• News Documentary: “The Michigan China Connection,” Tracy Samilton
• Individual Reporting: Rebecca Williams
• Enterprise/Investigative Reporting: “Health and Safety Concerns Surround Glittersniffer Cosmetics,” Bridget Bodnar

2011 Michigan Association of Broadcasters Awards

Station awards

• Station of the Year – Michigan Radio

First Place- Best in Category

• Membership Appeal: “Mornings Sound Like”
• Special Interest & Cultural Programming: “The Cost of Creativity”
• Community Involvement: Issues & Ale
• News Special or Public Affairs Program: The Culture of Class
• Hard News & Current Events Story: “Rape Kit Backlog”
• Marketing Materials & Promos: “Lights Out”
• Musical Programming: “Songs from Studio East: Red Tail Ring”

Merit Awards

• Community Involvement: “Your Story”
• Hard News & Current Events: “Detroit Census Challenge”
• Newscast: 6/9/11 Newscast
• News Special or Public Affairs Program: “The Michigan-China Connection”
• Marketing Materials & Promos: “Weekends Are”
• Feature/Use of Medium: “Remembering Mr. Rogers’ Factory Tour”

2011 Niagara Foundation

Niagara Award in Media: Michigan Radio

2011 Clarion Award from Women in Communications

Best Documentary, Coal: Dirty Past, Hazy Future, The Environment Report

2011 Public Radio News Directors, Inc. Award2011 National RTDNA/UNITY Diversity Award

(Radio Television Digital News Association and UNITY: Journalists of Color) Radio-Large Market “Muslims in Michigan”

2011 National Edward R. Murrow Award

Best Audio News Documentary (Radio: Large Market) The Environment Report “Coal: Dirty Past, Hazy Future”

2010 Regional Edward R. Murrow Awards
(Radio Television Digital News Association)

Best Documentary
Lester Graham, Rebecca Williams, Mark Brush (Michigan Radio):"Coal: Dirty Past, Hazy Future."

Best Feature
Dustin Dwyer (Michigan Radio): "Curling"

2010 Gabriel Awards
(Catholic Academy for Communication Arts Professionals)

Local release documentary category

• Lester Graham (Michigan Radio): "Kennedy and the Peace Corps: Idealism on the Ground"

Ecumenical & Interreligious local release category

• Dustin Dwyer (Michigan Radio): from Muslims in Michigan. "So, A Muslim and a Christian Move into a Dorm Room Together."

2010 Detroit Society of Professional Journalists Awards

General news

• First -Sarah Cwiek, Sarah Hulett, Dustin Dwyer (Michigan Radio): "Shrinking Detroit"
• Third - Sarah Hulett (Michigan Radio): "Inch-vestors in Detroit"

Features reporting

• First - Sarah Hulett, Sarah Cwiek, Jennifer Guerra, Dustin Dwyer (Michigan Radio): "Muslims in Michigan"
• Second - Kate Davidson (Michigan Radio): "Retraining"

Spot or breaking news

• Second - Michigan Radio Newsroom: "Kalamazoo River Oil Spill"
• Third - Tracy Samilton (Michigan Radio): "Whitacre Resigns"

Sports reporting

• Second - Kyle Norris (Michigan Radio): "Detroit Soccer Club"
• Third - Dustin Dwyer (Michigan Radio): "Curling"

Investigative reporting

• First - Jennifer Guerra, Sarah Hulett, Mercedes Mejia, Vincent Duffy (Michigan Radio): "Rebuilding Detroit Schools"
• Second - Rebecca Williams, Lester Graham (Michigan Radio): "Is Fire Safety Putting Us at Risk?"

Newscast

• Second - Christina Shockley, Michigan Radio Newsroom: 6 a.m. Newscast 10-14-10
• Third - Christina Shockley, Michigan Radio Newsroom: 7 a.m. Newscast 8-10-10

News special/documentary

• First - Lester Graham, Rebecca Williams, Mark Brush (Michigan Radio): "Coal: Dirty Past, Hazy Future"
• Second - Lester Graham (Michigan Radio): "Kennedy and the Peace Corps: Idealism on the Ground"

Open government reporting

• First - Lester Graham (Michigan Radio): "Paying for Michigan Schools"
• Second - Lester Graham (Michigan Radio): "Who Writes the Laws?"

2010 Michigan Associated Press Awards

Station awards

• General Excellence – Michigan Radio

"Best of" awards

• Hard News: “Shrinking Detroit,” Sarah Hulett, Sarah Cwiek, Dustin Dwyer
• Continuing Coverage: “Kalamazoo River Oil Spill,” Michigan Radio staff
• News Documentary: "Coal: Dirty Past, Hazy Future," The Environment Report.
• Individual Reporting: Kyle Norris
• Enterprise/Investigative Reporting: “Rebuilding Detroit Schools: A Tale of Two Cities,” Jennifer Guerra, Sarah Hulett, Mercedes Mejia
• Newscast: Zoe Clark, Michigan Radio Newsroom
• Natural Sound: “Senior Musicians,” Kyle Norris.
• Website: michiganradio.org, Mark Brush, Tamar Charney, Lani Chisnell, Zoe Clark, Vincent Duffy

Honorable Mention

• Newscast: Christina Shockley, Michigan Radio Newsroom
• News Documentary: “Rebuilding Detroit Schools: A Tale of Two Cities,” Jennifer Guerra, Sarah Hulett, Mercedes Mejia
• Enterprise/Investigative Reporting: “Is Fire Safety Putting Us at Risk?,” Rebecca Williams, Lester Graham

2010 Headliner Awards

News Series, Third Place: "Is Fire Safety Putting Us At Risk?," Rebecca Williams and Lester Graham, Michigan Radio

2010 Michigan Association of Broadcasters Broadcast Excellence Awards

Michigan Radio received seven awards this year for our journalism.

Best:

Mini-Documentary or Series
Rebuilding Detroit Schools: A Tale of Two Cities
- Jennifer Guerra, Sarah Hulett, and programming staff

News Special or Public Affairs Program
Coal: Dirty Past, Hazy Future
- Mark Brush, Lester Graham, Rebecca Williams

Sports
Olympic Snowboarding
- Charles Manley

Merit:

Mini-Documentary or Series
Shrinking Detroit
- Sarah Hulett

Sports
Curling
- Dustin Dwyer

Newscast
Newscast: August 10th, 2010 7:00AM
- Christina Shockley and newsroom

News Special or Public Affairs Program
Kennedy and the Peace Corps: Idealism on the Ground
- Lester Graham

Michigan Association of Broadcasters Broadcast Excellence Awards

2009 Public Radio Station of the Year (Group 2)

Best in Category Awards:
- HARD NEWS AND CURRENT EVENTS STORY – "Overqualified Applicants"
- MINI-DOCUMENTARY OR SERIES - Facing the Mortgage Crisis
- NEWSCAST – December 10, 2009
- NEWS SPECIAL OR PUBLIC AFFAIRS PROGRAM – "Remaking Michigan" Call-In Show
- SPECIAL INTEREST AND CULTURAL PROGRAMMING – "Generation Y Michigan”
- MEMBERSHIP APPEAL – "Don’t Wait for the Senate"
- COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT – Facing the Mortgage Crisis
- MARKETING MATERIALS AND PROMOS – Facing the Mortgage Crisis

Merit Award:
- HARD NEWS AND CURRENT EVENTS STORY – "Highland Park Unemployment"
- MINI-DOCUMENTARY OR SERIES – "Cody Chronicles"
- NEWSCAST – November 11, 2009
- NEWS SPECIAL OR PUBLIC AFFAIRS PROGRAM – "Generation Y Michigan" Call-In Show
- MEMBERSHIP APPEAL – Facing the Mortgage Crisis
- MARKETING MATERIALS AND PROMOS – Sounds of the State

NATIONAL AWARDS:

2009 Clarion Award from Women in Communications
Best Documentary: Foreclosing on the American Dream

2008 National Edward R. Murrow Award
Best News Documentary: Ashes to Hope

Michigan Radio, the public radio service of the University of Michigan, has been recognized for excellence in broadcast journalism by the Radio-Television News Directors Association. The station received a National Edward R. Murrow Award for Best Radio News Documentary for Ashes to Hope: Overcoming the Detroit Riots. The news series looked at how the 1967 Detroit riots affected people, neighborhoods and even music in the Motor City, and explored the long term consequence of the riots on both the city and the state of Michigan.

The 2008 award represents the first National Edward R. Murrow Award that Michigan Radio has received, though the station’s sister organization, The Environment Report, received a National Murrow Award in 2002. Michigan Radio was the only television or radio station in the state of Michigan to receive a 2008 National Edward R. Murrow Award.

The Radio-Television News Directors Association has been honoring outstanding achievements in electronic journalism with the Edward R. Murrow Awards since 1971. Award recipients demonstrate the spirit of excellence that Edward R. Murrow made a standard for the broadcast news profession. The Murrow Award recognizes the “best of the best”, and is considered the most prestigious award in electronic journalism. 2008 National Murrow winners will be honored at the RTNDA Awards Dinner on October 13 at the Grand Hyatt New York.

Congratulations to producer Tamar Charney; host Christina Shockley; editors Vincent Duffy and Lester Graham; reporters Steve Carmody, Dustin Dwyer, Vincent Duffy, Jennifer Guerra, Sarah Hulett, and Tracy Samilton; segment producers Richie Duchon, Jennifer Guerra, Maria Howes, and Jack Lessenberry; and production assistants Zoe Clark, and Katherine Gorman.

2008 Clarion Award from Women in Communications
Best Documentary: Ashes to Hope
Best Documentary Series: Grading Michigan Schools

2007 Sigma Delta Chi Award from The Society of Professional Journalists
Public Service in Radio Journalism: Grading Michigan Schools

Michigan Radio, the public radio service of the University of Michigan, has been recognized by the National Society of Professional Journalists. The station was awarded the 2007 Sigma Delta Chi Award for Public Service in Radio Journalism for Grading Michigan Schools, Michigan Radio's multi-part series of reports about education in the state. The Public Service in Radio Journalism Award recognizes a radio news organization that renders public service through extensive coverage of an issue facing the community it serves.

The Sigma Delta Chi Awards recognize the best in professional journalism in 48 categories, covering print, radio, television, newsletters, photography, online and research. This year's winners were chosen from more than 1,000 entries from across the country. The only other public radio organizations to be recognized were Chicago Public Radio and "The World", the national program from Public Radio International.

Congratulations to Sarah Hulett, Tracy Samilton, and Samara Freemark along with Vincent Duffy, Lester Graham, and Kaomi Goetz for their work on this award winning series.

REGIONAL AWARDS:

2008 Region 7 Edward R. Murrow Winners
Best Continuing Coverage: Michigan's Budget Crisis
Best Feature: Turning Around A Troubled School
Best News Documentary: Ashes to Hope