The 2024 Award Finalists Have Been Announced!

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The list of finalists is in random order. The awards in actual order of finish – first and second places – will be announced at the Chesapeake AP Broadcasters Association Awards Banquet on Saturday, June 7, at the Ashore Resort & Beach Club in Ocean City, Md. Information and ticket sales are available at: https://2025-chesapeake-ap-broadcasters-awards-tickets.eventbrite.com.

Twenty-seven news organizations in Maryland, Delaware and Washington, D.C., submitted 326 entries in the contest, which featured news and sports from 2023.

Please review the finalists and contact Heidi Brown (hbrown@ap.org or 434-465-0285) by Monday, March 31, to report any misspelled names, titles or other problems. Stations may publicize that they are finalists in the awards competition.

 NOTE: We do not add “staff” to any of the credits, and we don’t include station names or dates of newscasts or sporting events in the title of the entry.

ALL DIVISIONS:

Best Podcast-Audio: Tom Byrne, Kyle McKinnon and Rachel Urs-Sheffield, Delaware Public Media, Dover, Del., "A More Just Delaware"; Michael Lipin and Alexis Strope, Voice of America-Radio, Washington, "US Strikes on Iraq and Syria Reveal Pros, Cons of Strategy Against Iran."

COLLEGE RADIO:

Outstanding General News: Nathanael Miller and Bryan Russo, DPM’s Student Productions on WSDL, "Nathanael on the Street: Students Consider Merits of Tik-Tok Ban"; Bryan Russo, Rudolfo Rubio-Guerra and Kevin Diaz, DPM’s Student Productions on WSDL, "Intergenerational Beats Initiative: Blood Shortage on Delmarva."

Outstanding Feature: Taylor Nichols and Cait Kelley, Capital News Service, College Park, MD, "Some People Need Abortions Later in Pregnancy – Many Come to Maryland"; Rodolfo Rubio-Guerra, Kevin Diaz and Bryan Russo, DPM’s Student Productions on WSDL, "Intergenerational Beats Initiative: Exploring Thanksgiving From the Native American Perspective."

Outstanding Newscast: Bryan Russo, Angela Semig and Michael Greco, DPM’s Student Productions on WSDL, "The Five Minute Fly-By."

COLLEGE TV:

Outstanding General News: Elana Mutnick, Capital News Service, College Park, Md., "Financial Support for Port Workers After Key Bridge Collapse"; Ricky Podgorski, Capital News Service, College Park, Md., "Tunnel to Mitigate Flooding in Ellicott City."

Outstanding Feature: Sydney Nauman, Capital News Service, College Park, Md., "Students Create "Bike Bus" to Commute to School"; Ricky Podgorski, Capital News Service, College Park, Md., "Inspiring Cherry Blossom Tree to Be Removed."

Outstanding Sports Reporting: Ricky Podgorski, Capital News Service, College Park, Md., "Big Ten Expansion Challenges Student-Athletes Academically, Mentally and Physically"; Alexa Wootten, Capital News Service, College Park, Md., "Wheelchair Bound Teen Defies Odds and Plays Lacrosse."

Outstanding Newscast: Capital News Service, College Park, Md., "Election 2024 Live."

TV I/LARGE MARKET:

Outstanding Spot News Reporting: WUSA 9, Washington, "Joe Biden Drops out of Presidential Race"; WJLA-TV, Washington, "Baltimore Bridge Collapse."

Outstanding Coverage of a Continuing Story: WRC-TV, Washington, "Death Behind Bars"; WBAL-TV, Baltimore, "Key Bridge Collapse."

Outstanding News Series: WRC-TV, Washington, "Fighting Fentanyl"; WUSA 9, Washington, "The Scotland Story."

Best Television Photography: Kane Farabaugh, Voice of America-TV, Washington; WJLA-TV, Washington.

Best Producer: Anthony Perrucci, WJZ-TV, Baltimore, "The Francis Scott Key Bridge Collapse"; Brooke Wivagg, WRC-TV, Washington, "Solar Eclipse Special."

Outstanding Public Affairs: Mark Hyman, Greg Massoni and Dwight Weems, WBFF-TV, Baltimore, "Recovery in America"; WBFF-TV, Baltimore, "Killer in the Classroom."

Best Specialty Reporting: Kane Farabaugh, Voice of America-TV, Washington, "Between War and Music"; Carolyn Presutti, Mary Cieslak and Yass Monem, Voice of America-TV, Washington, "The Year of the Campaign."

Outstanding Documentary/In-Depth Reporting: WRC-TV, Washington, "How Shootings Impact DC Schools"; WBFF-TV, Baltimore, "Hiding in the Hallways."

Best Enterprise Reporting: WUSA 9, Washington, "Behind the Bidding"; Rick Yarborough, Ted Oberg and Steve Jones, WRC-TV, Washington, "Fighting Crime and Dealing Guns."

Outstanding Sports Feature: Jay Korff, WJLA-TV, Washington, "Back on the Water"; WJLA-TV, Washington, "A Hero's Journey."

Outstanding Serious Feature: Carolyn Presutti, Saqib Ul Islam and Toby Roberts, Voice of America-TV, Washington, "JD Vance: A Long Way From Home"; WUSA 9, Washington, "Ivy City."

Best Meteorologist or Weathercaster: Miri Marshall, WUSA 9, Washington, "Voting Weather"; WUSA 9, Washington, "Winter Weather."

Best Multimedia Journalist: Kane Farabaugh, Voice of America-TV, Washington; Jay Korff, WJLA-TV, Washington, "We Will not Be Forgotten."

Outstanding Light Feature: WUSA 9, Washington, "Sam's Cubes"; WBFF-TV, Baltimore, "One of One."

Best Reporter: Jay Korff, WJLA-TV, Washington; Sean Martinelli, WUSA 9, Washington.

Outstanding Website: Kelly Groft, WMAR-TV, Baltimore; WJLA-TV, Washington.

Outstanding Morning Newscast: WRC-TV, Washington; WUSA 9, Washington.

Outstanding Late Newscast: WRC-TV, Washington; WUSA 9, Washington.

Outstanding Election Night Coverage: WRC-TV, Washington, "Decision 2024"; WJLA-TV, Washington, "Your Voice. Your Vote. Election 2024."

Best TV News Anchor: Lesli Foster, WUSA 9, Washington; Lorenzo Hall, WUSA 9, Washington.

Best TV Sports Anchor: Chick Hernandez, WUSA 9, Washington.

Outstanding News Operation: Cheryl Carson, WJLA-TV, Washington; WBAL-TV, Baltimore.

TV II/SMALL MARKET:

Outstanding Spot News Reporting: Chris Brunk and Kolby Redden, WMDT-TV, Salisbury, Md., "Powerful Storm Hits Ocean City"; Kirstyn Clark, Mike Neapolitan and Ryan Mackesey, WBOC-TV, Salisbury, Md., "Quantico Manhunt."

Outstanding Coverage of a Continuing Story: Hunter Landon, WBOC-TV, Salisbury, Md., "Perdue PFAS Contamination"; Kyle Orens, WBOC-TV, Salisbury, Md., "Offshore Wind."

Outstanding News Series: John Dearing, Olivia Armstrong and Brandon Ferguson, WRDE-TV, Milton, Del., "Medical Waste Mystery"; Jake Grant and Kolby Redden, WMDT-TV, Salisbury, Md., "Discover Delmarva."

Best Television Photography: Ted Corriero, WRDE-TV, Milton, Del.; Rachel Pierce and Nat Trice, WBOC-TV, Salisbury, Md.

Best Producer: Alyssa Baker, WRDE-TV, Milton, Del., "CoastTV News Today"; Jana Ruark, WBOC-TV, Salisbury, Md.

Best Specialty Reporting: Hunter Landon, WBOC-TV, Salisbury, Md., "Maryland General Assembly"; Alex Seymore, WRDE-TV, Milton, Del.

Outstanding Documentary/In-Depth Reporting: Ben Membrino, Delmarva Sports Network, Salisbury, Md., "Into the Trenches: The Wildcat Legacy, Carter Figgs"; Madeleine Overturf and Ted Corriero, WRDE-TV, Milton, Del., "Return Day."

Best Enterprise Reporting: Mallory Metzner and Ted Corriero, WRDE-TV, Milton, Del., "Property Assessment Problems"; Maegan Summers, WBOC-TV, Salisbury, Md., "Missing Mail Staff in Woodside."

Outstanding Sports Feature: Kayla Santiago and Jack Kyritsis, Delmarva Sports Network, Salisbury, Md., "The Story of Marcus Yarns: From the Eastern Shore to the University of Delaware."; Tim Nolan, Jack Kyritsis and Ben Membrino, Delmarva Sports Network, Salisbury, Md., "Heart of a Champion."

Outstanding Serious Feature: Hannah Cechini and Mike Lawrence, WMDT-TV, Salisbury, Md., "Family Desperate for Answers"; Zakiya Jennings, WRDE-TV, Milton, Del., "Missed Opts Prison Program."

Best Meteorologist or Weathercaster: Paul Williams, WRDE-TV, Milton, Del.; Rich Wirdzek, WMDT-TV, Salisbury, Md.

Best Multimedia Journalist: Brandon Ferguson, WRDE-TV, Milton, Del.; Jack Ford, WBOC-TV, Salisbury, Md., "Beach Wheelchair Fees."

Outstanding Light Feature: Mallory Metzner and Ted Corriero, WRDE-TV, Milton, Del., "Military Plane Museum Takes Flight From Aerial Spraying Business"; Lauren Miller, WBOC-TV, Salisbury, Md., "Listening to History."

Best Reporter: Kirstyn Clark, WBOC-TV, Salisbury, Md.; Hunter Landon, WBOC-TV, Salisbury, Md.

Outstanding Year-Round Local Sports: Bill Vernon and Kayla Santiago, Delmarva Sports Network, Salisbury, Md.

Outstanding Website: Patrick Cassat, Zoe Stayman and Bill Vernon, Delmarva Sports Network, Salisbury, Md.; Torie Seagraves and Zoe Stayman, WRDE-TV, Milton, Del.

Outstanding Morning Newscast: Alyssa Baker, Matt Pencek and Bob Trihy, WRDE-TV, Milton, Del.; Sarah Beesley, Jimmy Hoppa and Rachel Pierce, WBOC-TV, Salisbury, Md.

Outstanding Late Newscast: Amanda Flynn, Charlie Sokaitis and Madeleine Overturf, WRDE-TV, Milton, Del.; Ron Krisulevicz, Jana Ruark and Matt Rosenberg, WBOC-TV, Salisbury, Md.

Outstanding Election Night Coverage: John Dearing, Madeleine Overturf and Amanda Flynn, WRDE-TV, Milton, Del., "Decision 2024"; Jana Ruark, Ron Krisulevicz and Matt Rosenberg, WBOC-TV, Salisbury, Md.

Best TV News Anchor: Madeleine Overturf, WRDE-TV, Milton, Del.; Charlie Sokaitis, WRDE-TV, Milton, Del.

Best TV Sports Anchor: Luke Meli, Delmarva Sports Network, Salisbury, Md.; Kayla Santiago, Delmarva Sports Network, Salisbury, Md.

Outstanding News Operation: John Dearing, Madeleine Overturf and Torie Seagraves, WRDE-TV, Milton, Del.; Ron Krisulevicz and Bill Mich, WBOC-TV, Salisbury, Md.

RADIO I/METRO:

Outstanding Spot News Reporting: Sarah Y. Kim, WAMU-FM, Washington, "Foggy Bottom Encampments Clearing"; WTOP-FM, Washington, "Key Bridge Collapse."

Outstanding Coverage of a Continuing Story: Emily Hofstaedter, WYPR-FM, Baltimore, "Heat and Dangerous Conditions Lead to Worker Death"; WBAL-AM, Baltimore, "The Key Bridge Collapse."

Outstanding News Series: John Domen, WTOP-FM, Washington, "Claws and Effect"; WYPR-FM, Baltimore, "Key Bridge Collapse."

Outstanding Use of Sound: Melissa Gerr, Sheilah Kast and Maureen Harvie, WYPR-FM, Baltimore, "A Visit With Ms. Agvocate USA at Church View Farm"; Emily Hofstaedter, WYPR-FM, Baltimore, "Watermelon, Cantaloupe—Program Connects Kids With Baltimore's Arabbing Past."

Outstanding Talk Show: Clarence Mitchell IV, Bryan Nehman and Zach Tinney, WBAL-AM, Baltimore, "C4 and Bryan Nehman"; Karsonya Wise Whitehead, Justina Pollard and Andre Melton, WEAA-FM, Baltimore, "Today With Dr. Kaye: Electoral College."

Outstanding Editorial or Commentary: Josh Spiegel, WBAL-AM, Baltimore; Karsonya Wise Whitehead, Justina Pollard and Andre Melton, WEAA-FM, Baltimore, "Today With Dr. Kaye: Project 2025."

Outstanding Public Affairs: Tom Hall, Teria Rogers and Sam Bermas-Dawes, WYPR-FM, Baltimore, "Midday Special Coverage of Francis Scott Key Bridge Collapse"; Sheilah Kast, Melissa Gerr and Ashley Sterner, WYPR-FM, Baltimore, "Baltimore's Continuing Struggle With Transportation."

Best Specialty Reporting: Rachel Baye, WYPR-FM, Baltimore, "Detention Center for Maryland Teens Charged as Adults Overcapacity for Months"; Bri Hatch, WYPR-FM, Baltimore, "Baltimore Leads State in Net-Zero Schools, But Climate Impact Is 'Ongoing Effort'."

Outstanding Documentary/In-Depth Reporting: Sheilah Kast, Maureen Harvie and Melissa Gerr, WYPR-FM, Baltimore, "Communities Affected by the FSK Bridge Collapse"; Robert Lang, Scott Wykoff and Phil Yacuboski, WBAL-AM, Baltimore, "Baltimore's Summer Youth Engagement Strategy in Focus."

Best Enterprise Reporting: Matt Blitz and Tyrone Turner, WAMU-FM, Washington, "How Pet Cemeteries Help Locals Grieve"; Bri Hatch, WYPR-FM, Baltimore, "Biking for All: Baltimore Teens Gain Self-Reliance, Expand Community Access."

Outstanding Sports Feature: Scott Maucione, WYPR-FM, Baltimore, "Baltimore Ravens Prep to Host NFL Playoff Game"; Jai Shields, WEAA-FM, Baltimore, "NFL Week 11 Recap."

Outstanding Serious Feature: Margaret Barthel, Tyrone Turner and Kellen Quigley, WAMU-FM, Washington, "These Local Muslims Vote in Every Election. But This Time, It's Complicated"; John Lee, WYPR-FM, Baltimore, "$40 million Is on the Table for a Hart-Miller Island Dredging Deal."

Outstanding Light Feature: Melissa Gerr, Sheilah Kast and Maureen Harvie, WYPR-FM, Baltimore, "Zoe's Just Dezzerts Serves up More Than Sweets"; Matt Kaufax, WTOP-FM, Washington, "Mullet Madness."

Best Reporter: Matt Kaufax, WTOP-FM, Washington; Scott Wykoff, WBAL-AM, Baltimore.

Outstanding Website: Danyell Irby, Matthew Bush and Madison Bristowe, WYPR-FM, Baltimore; WTOP-FM, Washington.

Outstanding Newscast: WBAL-AM, Baltimore, "WBAL News Now"; Bloomberg 99.1, Washington.

Outstanding Election Night Coverage: WBAL-AM, Baltimore, "Commitment 2024."

Best Radio News Anchor: Robert Lang, WBAL-AM, Baltimore.

Outstanding News Operation: Danyell Irby and Matt Bush, WYPR-FM, Baltimore; WBAL-AM, Baltimore.

RADIO II/NON-METRO:

Outstanding Coverage of a Continuing Story: Sarah Petrowich, Delaware Public Media, Dover, Del., "Delaware's New Hospital Cost Review Board"; WDEL-FM/AM, Wilmington, Del., "Baltimore Bridge Collapse."

Outstanding News Series: Delaware Public Media, Dover, Del., "Races to Watch 2024."

Outstanding Use of Sound: Kevin Diaz, Delmarva Public Media, Salisbury, Md., "Tubman Jamboree"; Brian Shane, Delmarva Public Media, Salisbury, Md., "Dental Clinic."

Outstanding Editorial or Commentary: Michael O'Loughlin, Delmarva Public Media, Salisbury, Md., "Constitutional Failure of American Democracy"; Michael O'Loughlin, Delmarva Public Media, Salisbury, Md., "GOP Congressional Dysfunction."

Outstanding Public Affairs: Tom Byrne, Nancy Karibjanian and Sarah Petrowich, Delaware Public Media, Dover, Del., "Delaware Debates 2024 - Governor"; Don Rush, Delmarva Public Media, Salisbury, Md., "Tiny Houses for the Homeless."

Best Specialty Reporting: Sarah Petrowich, Delaware Public Media, Dover, Del.

Outstanding Documentary/In-Depth Reporting: Paul Kiefer, Delaware Public Media, Dover, Del., "Delaware Grapples With Housing Shortage as a Task Force Weighs Local Control Against Urgent Demand"; Sarah Petrowich, Delaware Public Media, Dover, Del., "Delaware's High Hopes: Cultivating a Cannabis Industry."

Best Enterprise Reporting: Don Rush, Delmarva Public Media, Salisbury, Md., "Assault on Gay Man at SU"; Brian Shane, Delmarva Public Media, Salisbury, Md., "Mother's Heartbreaking Loss."

Outstanding Serious Feature: Sarah Petrowich, Delaware Public Media, Dover, Del., "Delaware Governor's Race Heats up Ahead of Primary"; Rachel Sawicki, Delaware Public Media, Dover, Del., "How Veolia Water in Wilmington Is Working to Remove PFAS From Drinking Water."

Outstanding Light Feature: Rachel Sawicki, Delaware Public Media, Dover, Del., "Enlighten Me: Leap Day Stories and How 'Leaplings' Celebrate Their Birthday Every Four Years"; Brian Shane, Delmarva Public Media, Salisbury, Md., "People in Your Neighborhood: Warren Rosenfeld."

Best Reporter: Sarah Petrowich, Delaware Public Media, Dover, Del.; Rachel Sawicki, Delaware Public Media, Dover, Del.

Outstanding Website: Tom Byrne, Delaware Public Media, Dover, Del.; WDEL-FM/AM, Wilmington, Del.

Outstanding Newscast: Joe Irizarry, Delaware Public Media, Dover, Del., "All Things Considered"; WDEL-FM/AM, Wilmington, Del., "Delaware's Morning News."

Outstanding Election Night Coverage: Delaware Public Media, Dover, Del.; WDEL-FM/AM, Wilmington, Del., "ElectionWatch."

Outstanding News Operation: Bryan Russo and Don Rush, Delmarva Public Media, Salisbury, Md.; WDEL-FM/AM, Wilmington, Del.