THE SOCIETY OF PROFESSIONAL JOURNALISTS

2007 BEST IN INDIANA JOURNALISM CONTEST

Sponsored by the Indiana Professional Chapter, SPJ

Broadcast Winners - Reporting on Specialized Topics

Based on 2006 work

Winners were honored at the 28th Annual Awards Banquet
at the Indianapolis Marriott North Hotel on April 27, 2007

24. BEST TELEVISION SPORTS REPORTING
(General sports report or sports feature; coverage of an event or interview, but not entire same coverage nor full sports segment on a regularly scheduled news broadcast. Play by play is not covered.)

First Place: Anthony Calhoun, Ivan Gratz, John Rekis and Jarod Kerfoot
WISH-TV
"Irsay Up Close"
Judges said: Outstanding look at a sportsman, his life, his passions and his dedication to his community."

Second Place: Julie Loncich and James Suiter
WXIN Fox 59
"F-1 Walkabout"

Third Place: Gene Cox and Matt Purkes
WXIN Fox 59
"Sky High Record"

B. Outside Indianapolis market

First Place: Pat Hoffmann
WANE-TV
"Jermaine Muff"
Judges said: "Good story. Captures the emotions of the kid, his mother, and the hospital workers. Nice music to enhance the piece."

Second Place: Pat Hoffmann
WANE-TV
"American Classic"

Third Place: Pat Hoffmann
WANE-TV
"State Champs"

25. BEST RADIO SPORTS REPORTING
(General sports report or sports feature; coverage of an event or interview, but not entire same coverage no full sports segment on a regularly scheduled news broadcast. Play by play is not covered.)

Second Place: Joseph Kasko
WVPE-FM
"Notre Dame vs. Army"

Third Place: Adam Ragusea
WFIU-FM
"Basketball History"

29. BEST COVERAGE OF CHILDREN'S ISSUES
(Awarded to the story that best served the needs of children, either by exposing abuse or exploring solutions to challenges faced by youth.)

C. Any Indiana television station

First Place: Pam Elliot, Loni Smith McKown and Marcus Collins
WISH-TV
"Generation Rx"
Judges said: "This should be mandatory viewing for every youngster and parent in America."

Second Place: Sandra Chapman, Reporter and William Ditton, Photojournalist
WTHR
"Against Their Will"

Third Place: Karen Hensel and Marcus Collins
WISH-TV
"Cyber Bullies"

D. Any Indiana radio station

First Place: Nicole Beemsterboer
WFIU-FM
"Chocolate for Ashley"
Judges said: "Well done. The listener could almost smell the chocolate."

30. BEST COVERAGE OF THE ENVIRONMENT
(Awarded to the story that best served to improve the environment, either by pointing out a trouble spot or otherwise spotlight an ecological topic.)

C. Any Indiana television station

First Place: Gary Harrison, Chris Elberfeld, Dave Tarr and Judi Border
WFYI
"The Wabash: Life on the Bright White River"
Judges said: "The history and future of the river is told by those who live there. Photography and interviews mixed well."

Second Place: Kara Brooks and Mickey Edwards
WXIN Fox 59
"Recycler"

Third Place: Zach Myers and B.J. Ardaiolo
WXIN Fox 59
"Toxic City"

D. Any Indiana radio station

No Awards

31. BEST MEDICAL/SCIENCE REPORTING
(Awarded to the best coverage of a medical or science topic.)

C. Any Indiana television station

First Place: Sandra Chapman, William Ditton and Holly Whisenhunt Stephen
WTHR
"Stealing from the Dead"
Judges said: "A whistleblower, death threats and a life and death issue. This is investigative reporting at its best."

Second Place: Debby Knox and Dawn Clapperton
WISH-TV
"The Fertility Factor"

Third Place: Ann Shea and Ron Prickel
WTIU
"Stone Age Institute"

D. Any Indiana radio station

No Awards

32. BEST CONSUMER REPORTING
(Awarded to the story that best informs readers or audience about a product flaw or danger, or otherwise befriends the consumer.)

C. Any Indiana television station

First Place: Rafael Sanchez, Susan Batt and Tom Sisler
WRTV
"Paving Con Man Arrested"
Judges said: "A news report results in the arrest of a young con artist. One more crook is off the streets - thanks to solid news reporting."

Second Place: Bob Donaldson and James Suiter
WXIN Fox 59
"Predatory Lending"

Third Place: Rafael Sanchez, Susan Batt and Tom Sisler
WRTV
"Fabuloso"

D. Any Indiana radio station

No Awards

33. BEST COVERAGE OF MINORITY ISSUES
(Awarded to the story that best addresses the issues and challenges faced by any minority group: racial, sexual, or religious.)

C. Any Indiana television station

First Place: Kim Jacobs, Chris Elberfeld, Dave Tarr and Judi Border
WFYI
"Reviving the Spirit: The Story of Martindale Brightwood"

Second Place: Dick Wolfsie and Shawn Pierce
WISH-TV
"Football Pioneer"

Third Place: Terra Brantley
WANE-TV
"NAACP: Leadership under Fire"

D. Any Indiana radio station

First Place: Koran Addo
WFIU-FM
"The Hole"
Judges said: "Good use of music lead-ins and background. Great descriptions of the regulars; you could almost see the smoke and feel the beat of the music."

Second Place: Joice Biazoto
WFIU-FM
"The Roots of Techno"

34. BEST CRIMINAL JUSTICE REPORTING
(Awarded to the best reporting on crime or a law enforcement issue.)

C. Any Indiana television station

First Place: Mary McDermott and Joe Starlin
WISH-TV
"Tracking Offenders"
Judges said: "This report not only shows a law with a 33% failure rate, it provides solutions. A great job all around."

Second Place: Bob Segall, Bill Ditton, Holly Stephen and Gerry Lanosga
WTHR-TV
"The Criminal Next Door"

Third Place: Dan Spehler
WRTV
"Lockup Unlocked"

D. Any Indiana radio station

First Place: Clare Deady
WFIU-FM
"An Absence of Awareness"
Judges said: An often overlooked problem dissected with facts, figures and good interviews."

35. BEST SOCIAL JUSTICE REPORTING
(Awarded to the best reporting on a social justice issue: poverty, welfare, etc.)

C. Any Indiana television station

First Place: Deanna Dewberry
WISH-TV
"Bridging the Gap"
Judges said: "Provocative, entertaining, but most of all educational. It leaves viewers with a lot to think about."

Second Place: Kelly Koh
WANE-TV
"Embracing Evaline"

Third Place: Kim King and James Suiter
WXIN Fox 59
"KKK Cards"

D. Any Indiana radio station

First Place: Lauren Algee
WFIU-FM
"How Food Works"
Judges said: "Heartwarming story of one woman overcoming domestic violence. Well done."

36. BEST EDUCATION COVERAGE
(Awarded to the best story about education.)

C. Any Indiana television station

First Place: Ann Shea, Susanne Schwibs, and Jason Pear
WTIU
"Math in Your Feet"
Judges said: "Learning through entertainment - both the topic and the presentation."

Second Place: Leslie Olsen
WISH-TV
"Book Buyer Beware"

Third Place: Mari Yamaguchi, Joy Hernandez and Marcos Dominguez, Jr.
WIIH-Univision Indiana
"Estudiante de la Semana - Student of the Week"

D. Any Indiana radio station

First Place: Brian Beaver
Indiana Public Radio
"Yorktown Band to New York City"
Judges said: "Nice mixture of music with interviews; details include how this trip will be paid for and expectations of students and teachers."

37. BEST COVERAGE OF GOVERNMENT
(Awarded to the best story, or selection of stories, on city, county or state government.)

C. Any Indiana television station

First Place: Rick Dawson, Loni Smith McKown and Marcus Collins
WISH-TV
"Will Your Vote Count?"
Judges said: "They were on top of the story all the way."

Second Place: Pam Elliot, Marcus Collins and DeAndra Taylor
WISH-TV
"Unmasked"

Third Place: Bob Donaldson and James Suiter
WXIN Fox 59
"Retirement Bomb"

D. Any Indiana radio station

First Place: Koran Addo
WFIU-FM
"Water Security"
Judges said: "Timely report packed with important facts."