The 2024 Award Winners Have Been Announced!
Winners of the 2024 Chesapeake Associated Press Broadcasters Association Awards were announced June 7, 2025, in Ocean City, Md.
Twenty-seven news organizations in Maryland, Delaware and Washington, D.C., submitted 326 entries in the contest, which featured news and sports from 2024. The list of winners can be found at https://capba.net.
CAPBA also awarded a $3000 scholarship to Skyler Winston, a senior at Howard University in Washington, D.C.
CAPBA 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 United States.
Winners in the 2024 Chesapeake AP Broadcasters Association Contest:
ALL DIVISIONS:
Best in Show—Television: Sean Martinelli, WUSA 9, Washington, for “the Heart of It.”
Best in Show—Radio: WTOP-FM, Washington, for “Key Bridge Collapse” in the Outstanding Spot News Reporting category.
Best Podcast-Audio: First, Michael Lipin and Alexis Strope, Voice of America-Radio, Washington, "US Strikes on Iraq and Syria Reveal Pros, Cons of Strategy Against Iran"; Second, Tom Byrne, Kyle McKinnon and Rachel Urs-Sheffield, Delaware Public Media, Dover, Del., "A More Just Delaware."
COLLEGE TV:
Outstanding General News: First, Elana Mutnick, Capital News Service, College Park, Md., "Financial Support for Port Workers After Key Bridge Collapse"; Second, Ricky Podgorski, Capital News Service, College Park, Md., "Tunnel to Mitigate Flooding in Ellicott City."
Outstanding Feature: First, Sydney Nauman, Capital News Service, College Park, Md., "Students Create ‘Bike Bus’ to Commute to School"; Second, Ricky Podgorski, Capital News Service, College Park, Md., "Inspiring Cherry Blossom Tree to Be Removed."
Outstanding Sports Reporting: First, Ricky Podgorski, Capital News Service, College Park, Md., "Big Ten Expansion Challenges Student-Athletes Academically, Mentally and Physically"; Second, Alexa Wootten, Capital News Service, College Park, Md., "Wheelchair Bound Teen Defies Odds and Plays Lacrosse."
Outstanding Newscast: First, Capital News Service, College Park, Md., "Election 2024 Live."
COLLEGE RADIO:
Outstanding General News: First, Nathanael Miller and Bryan Russo, DPM’s Student Productions on WSDL, "Nathanael on the Street: Students Consider Merits of Tik-Tok Ban."
Outstanding Feature: First, Taylor Nichols and Cait Kelley, Capital News Service, College Park, MD, "Some People Need Abortions Later in Pregnancy – Many Come to Maryland"; Second, 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: First, Bryan Russo, Angela Semig and Michael Greco, DPM’s Student Productions on WSDL, "The Five Minute Fly-By."
TV I/LARGE MARKET:
Outstanding Spot News Reporting: First, WUSA 9, Washington, "Joe Biden Drops out of Presidential Race"; Second, WJLA-TV, Washington, "Baltimore Bridge Collapse."
Outstanding Coverage of a Continuing Story: First, WBAL-TV, Baltimore, "Key Bridge Collapse"; Second, WRC-TV, Washington, "Death Behind Bars."
Outstanding News Series: First, WUSA 9, Washington, "The Scotland Story"; Second, WRC-TV, Washington, "Fighting Fentanyl."
Best Television Photography: First, Andrew Inches, WJLA-TV, Washington; Second, Kane Farabaugh, Voice of America-TV, Washington.
Best Producer: First, Anthony Perrucci, WJZ-TV, Baltimore, "The Francis Scott Key Bridge Collapse"; Second, Brooke Wivagg, WRC-TV, Washington, "Solar Eclipse Special."
Outstanding Public Affairs: First, Mark Hyman, Greg Massoni and Dwight Weems, WBFF-TV, Baltimore, "Recovery in America"; Second, WBFF-TV, Baltimore, "Killer in the Classroom."
Best Specialty Reporting: First, Carolyn Presutti, Mary Cieslak and Yass Monem, Voice of America-TV, Washington, "The Year of the Campaign"; Second, Kane Farabaugh, Voice of America-TV, Washington, "Between War and Music."
Outstanding Documentary/In-Depth Reporting: First, WRC-TV, Washington, "How Shootings Impact DC Schools"; Second, WBFF-TV, Baltimore, "Hiding in the Hallways."
Best Enterprise Reporting: First, WUSA 9, Washington, "Behind the Bidding"; Second, Rick Yarborough, Ted Oberg and Steve Jones, WRC-TV, Washington, "Fighting Crime and Dealing Guns."
Outstanding Sports Feature: First, Jay Korff, WJLA-TV, Washington, "Back on the Water"; Second, Andrew Inches, WJLA-TV, Washington, "A Hero's Journey."
Outstanding Serious Feature: First, WUSA 9, Washington, "Ivy City"; Second, Carolyn Presutti, Saqib Ul Islam and Toby Roberts, Voice of America-TV, Washington, "JD Vance: A Long Way From Home."
Best Meteorologist or Weathercaster: First, WUSA 9, Washington, "Winter Weather"; Second, Miri Marshall, WUSA 9, Washington, "Voting Weather."
Best Multimedia Journalist: First, Kane Farabaugh, Voice of America-TV, Washington; Second, Jay Korff, WJLA-TV, Washington, "We Will not Be Forgotten."
Outstanding Light Feature: First, WUSA 9, Washington, "Sam's Cubes"; Second, WBFF-TV, Baltimore, "One of One."
Best Reporter: First, Sean Martinelli, WUSA 9, Washington; Second, Jay Korff, WJLA-TV, Washington.
Outstanding Website: First, WJLA-TV, Washington; Second, Kelly Groft, WMAR-TV, Baltimore.
Outstanding Morning Newscast: First, WUSA 9, Washington; Second, WRC-TV, Washington.
Outstanding Late Newscast: First, WUSA 9, Washington; Second, WRC-TV, Washington.
Outstanding Election Night Coverage: First, WRC-TV, Washington, "Decision 2024"; Second, WJLA-TV, Washington, "Your Voice. Your Vote. Election 2024."
Best TV News Anchor: First, Lorenzo Hall, WUSA 9, Washington; Second, Lesli Foster, WUSA 9, Washington.
Best TV Sports Anchor: First, Chick Hernandez, WUSA 9, Washington.
Outstanding News Operation: First, WBAL-TV, Baltimore; Second, Cheryl Carson, WJLA-TV, Washington.
TV II/SMALL MARKET:
Outstanding Spot News Reporting: First, Kirstyn Clark, Mike Neapolitan and Ryan Mackesey, WBOC-TV, Salisbury, Md., "Quantico Manhunt"; Second, Chris Brunk and Kolby Redden, WMDT-TV, Salisbury, Md., "Powerful Storm Hits Ocean City."
Outstanding Coverage of a Continuing Story: First, Hunter Landon, WBOC-TV, Salisbury, Md., "Perdue PFAS Contamination"; Second, Kyle Orens, WBOC-TV, Salisbury, Md., "Offshore Wind."
Outstanding News Series: First, John Dearing, Olivia Armstrong and Brandon Ferguson, WRDE-TV, Milton, Del., "Medical Waste Mystery"; Second, Jake Grant and Kolby Redden, WMDT-TV, Salisbury, Md., "Discover Delmarva."
Best Television Photography: First, Rachel Pierce and Nat Trice, WBOC-TV, Salisbury, Md.; Second, Ted Corriero, WRDE-TV, Milton, Del.
Best Producer: First, Jana Ruark, WBOC-TV, Salisbury, Md.; Second, Alyssa Baker, WRDE-TV, Milton, Del., "CoastTV News Today."
Best Specialty Reporting: First, Hunter Landon, WBOC-TV, Salisbury, Md., "Maryland General Assembly"; Second, Alex Seymore, WRDE-TV, Milton, Del.
Outstanding Documentary/In-Depth Reporting: First, Ben Membrino, Delmarva Sports Network, Salisbury, Md., "Into the Trenches: The Wildcat Legacy, Carter Figgs"; Second, Madeleine Overturf and Ted Corriero, WRDE-TV, Milton, Del., "Return Day."
Best Enterprise Reporting: First, Mallory Metzner and Ted Corriero, WRDE-TV, Milton, Del., "Property Assessment Problems"; Second, Maegan Summers, WBOC-TV, Salisbury, Md., "Missing Mail Staff in Woodside."
Outstanding Sports Feature: First, Tim Nolan, Jack Kyritsis and Ben Membrino, Delmarva Sports Network, Salisbury, Md., "Heart of a Champion"; Second, Kayla Santiago and Jack Kyritsis, Delmarva Sports Network, Salisbury, Md., "The Story of Marcus Yarns: From the Eastern Shore to the University of Delaware."
Outstanding Serious Feature: First, Han Cechini and Mike Lawrence, WMDT-TV, Salisbury, Md., "Family Desperate for Answers"; Second, Zakiya Jennings, WRDE-TV, Milton, Del., "Missed Opts Prison Program."
Best Meteorologist or Weathercaster: First, Rich Wirdzek, WMDT-TV, Salisbury, Md.; Second, Paul Williams, WRDE-TV, Milton, Del.
Best Multimedia Journalist: First, Brandon Ferguson, WRDE-TV, Milton, Del.; Second, Jack Ford, WBOC-TV, Salisbury, Md., "Beach Wheelchair Fees."
Outstanding Light Feature: First, Mallory Metzner and Ted Corriero, WRDE-TV, Milton, Del., "Military Plane Museum Takes Flight From Aerial Spraying Business"; Second, Lauren Miller, WBOC-TV, Salisbury, Md., "Listening to History."
Best Reporter: First, Kirstyn Clark, WBOC-TV, Salisbury, Md.; Second, Hunter Landon, WBOC-TV, Salisbury, Md.
Outstanding Year-Round Local Sports: First, Bill Vernon and Kayla Santiago, Delmarva Sports Network, Salisbury, Md.
Outstanding Website: First, Torie Seagraves and Zoe Stayman, WRDE-TV, Milton, Del.; Second, Patrick Cassat, Zoe Stayman and Bill Vernon, Delmarva Sports Network, Salisbury, Md.
Outstanding Morning Newscast: First, Alyssa Baker, Matt Pencek and Bob Trihy, WRDE-TV, Milton, Del.; Second, Sarah Beesley, Jimmy Hoppa and Rachel Pierce, WBOC-TV, Salisbury, Md.
Outstanding Late Newscast: First, Ron Krisulevicz, Jana Ruark and Matt Rosenberg, WBOC-TV, Salisbury, Md.; Second, Amanda Flynn, Charlie Sokaitis and Madeleine Overturf, WRDE-TV, Milton, Del.
Outstanding Election Night Coverage: First, Jana Ruark, Ron Krisulevicz and Matt Rosenberg, WBOC-TV, Salisbury, Md.; Second, John Dearing, Madeleine Overturf and Amanda Flynn, WRDE-TV, Milton, Del., "Decision 2024."
Best TV News Anchor: First, Charlie Sokaitis, WRDE-TV, Milton, Del.; Second, Madeleine Overturf, WRDE-TV, Milton, Del.
Best TV Sports Anchor: First, Kayla Santiago, Delmarva Sports Network, Salisbury, Md.; Second, Luke Meli, Delmarva Sports Network, Salisbury, Md.
Outstanding News Operation: First, John Dearing, Madeleine Overturf and Torie Seagraves, WRDE-TV, Milton, Del.; Second, Ron Krisulevicz and Bill Mich, WBOC-TV, Salisbury, Md.
RADIO I/METRO:
Outstanding Spot News Reporting: First, WTOP-FM, Washington, "Key Bridge Collapse"; Second, Sarah Y. Kim, WAMU-FM, Washington, "Foggy Bottom Encampments Clearing."
Outstanding Coverage of a Continuing Story: First, Emily Hofstaedter, WYPR-FM, Baltimore, "Heat and Dangerous Conditions Lead to Worker Death"; Second, WBAL-AM, Baltimore, "The Key Bridge Collapse."
Outstanding News Series: First, WYPR-FM, Baltimore, "Key Bridge Collapse"; Second, John Domen, WTOP-FM, Washington, "Claws and Effect."
Outstanding Use of Sound: First, Melissa Gerr, Sheilah Kast and Maureen Harvie, WYPR-FM, Baltimore, "A Visit With Ms. Agvocate USA at Church View Farm"; Second, Emily Hofstaedter, WYPR-FM, Baltimore, "Watermelon, Cantaloupe—Program Connects Kids With Baltimore's Arabbing Past."
Outstanding Talk Show: First, Clarence Mitchell IV, Bryan Nehman and Zach Tinney, WBAL-AM, Baltimore, "C4 and Bryan Nehman"; Second, Karsonya Wise Whitehead, Justina Pollard and Andre Melton, WEAA-FM, Baltimore, "Today With Dr. Kaye: Electoral College."
Outstanding Editorial or Commentary: First, Karsonya Wise Whitehead, Justina Pollard and Andre Melton, WEAA-FM, Baltimore, "Today With Dr. Kaye: Project 2025"; Second, Josh Spiegel, WBAL-AM, Baltimore.
Outstanding Public Affairs: First, Tom Hall, Teria Rogers and Sam Bermas-Dawes, WYPR-FM, Baltimore, "Midday Special Coverage of Francis Scott Key Bridge Collapse"; Second, Sheilah Kast, Melissa Gerr and Ashley Sterner, WYPR-FM, Baltimore, "Baltimore's Continuing Struggle With Transportation."
Best Specialty Reporting: First, Rachel Baye, WYPR-FM, Baltimore, "Detention Center for Maryland Teens Charged as Adults Overcapacity for Months"; Second, Bri Hatch, WYPR-FM, Baltimore, "Baltimore Leads State in Net-Zero Schools, But Climate Impact Is 'Ongoing Effort'."
Outstanding Documentary/In-Depth Reporting: First, Robert Lang, Scott Wykoff and Phil Yacuboski, WBAL-AM, Baltimore, "Baltimore's Summer Youth Engagement Strategy in Focus"; Second, Sheilah Kast, Maureen Harvie and Melissa Gerr, WYPR-FM, Baltimore, "Communities Affected by the Francis Scott Key Bridge Collapse."
Best Enterprise Reporting: First, Bri Hatch, WYPR-FM, Baltimore, "Biking for All: Baltimore Teens Gain Self-Reliance, Expand Community Access"; Second, Matt Blitz and Tyrone Turner, WAMU-FM, Washington, "How Pet Cemeteries Help Locals Grieve."
Outstanding Sports Feature: First, Scott Maucione, WYPR-FM, Baltimore, "Baltimore Ravens Prep to Host NFL Playoff Game"; Second, Jai Shields, WEAA-FM, Baltimore, "NFL Week 11 Recap."
Outstanding Serious Feature: First, Margaret Barthel, Tyrone Turner and Kellen Quigley, WAMU-FM, Washington, "These Local Muslims Vote in Every Election. But This Time, It's Complicated"; Second, John Lee, WYPR-FM, Baltimore, "$40 million Is on the Table for a Hart-Miller Island Dredging Deal."
Outstanding Light Feature: First, Matt Kaufax, WTOP-FM, Washington, "Mullet Madness"; Second, Melissa Gerr, Sheilah Kast and Maureen Harvie, WYPR-FM, Baltimore, "Zoe's Just Dezzerts Serves up More Than Sweets."
Best Reporter: First, Matt Kaufax, WTOP-FM, Washington; Second, Scott Wykoff, WBAL-AM, Baltimore.
Outstanding Website: First, WTOP-FM, Washington; Second, Danyell Irby, Matthew Bush and Madison Bristowe, WYPR-FM, Baltimore.
Outstanding Newscast: First, WBAL-AM, Baltimore, "WBAL News Now"; Second, Bloomberg 99.1, Washington.
Outstanding Election Night Coverage: First, WBAL-AM, Baltimore, "Commitment 2024."
Best Radio News Anchor: First, Robert Lang, WBAL-AM, Baltimore.
Outstanding News Operation: First, WBAL-AM, Baltimore; Second, Danyell Irby and Matt Bush, WYPR-FM, Baltimore.
RADIO II/NON-METRO:
Outstanding Coverage of a Continuing Story: First, WDEL-FM/AM, Wilmington, Del., "Baltimore Bridge Collapse"; Second, Sarah Petrowich, Delaware Public Media, Dover, Del., "Delaware's New Hospital Cost Review Board."
Outstanding News Series: First, Delaware Public Media, Dover, Del., "Races to Watch 2024."
Outstanding Use of Sound: First, Brian Shane, Delmarva Public Media, Salisbury, Md., "Dental Clinic"; Second, Kevin Diaz, Delmarva Public Media, Salisbury, Md., "Tubman Jamboree."
Outstanding Editorial or Commentary: First, Michael O'Loughlin, Delmarva Public Media, Salisbury, Md., "GOP Congressional Dysfunction"; Second, Michael O'Loughlin, Delmarva Public Media, Salisbury, Md., "Constitutional Failure of American Democracy."
Outstanding Public Affairs: First, Don Rush, Delmarva Public Media, Salisbury, Md., "Tiny Houses for the Homeless"; Second, Tom Byrne, Nancy Karibjanian and Sarah Petrowich, Delaware Public Media, Dover, Del., "Delaware Debates 2024 - Governor."
Best Specialty Reporting: First, Sarah Petrowich, Delaware Public Media, Dover, Del.
Outstanding Documentary/In-Depth Reporting: First, Paul Kiefer, Delaware Public Media, Dover, Del., "Delaware Grapples With Housing Shortage as a Task Force Weighs Local Control Against Urgent Demand"; Second, Sarah Petrowich, Delaware Public Media, Dover, Del., "Delaware's High Hopes: Cultivating a Cannabis Industry."
Best Enterprise Reporting: First, Brian Shane, Delmarva Public Media, Salisbury, Md., "Mother's Heartbreaking Loss"; Second, Don Rush, Delmarva Public Media, Salisbury, Md., "Assault on Gay Man at SU."
Outstanding Serious Feature: First, Rachel Sawicki, Delaware Public Media, Dover, Del., "How Veolia Water in Wilmington Is Working to Remove PFAS From Drinking Water"; Second, Sarah Petrowich, Delaware Public Media, Dover, Del., "Delaware Governor's Race Heats up Ahead of Primary."
Outstanding Light Feature: First, Brian Shane, Delmarva Public Media, Salisbury, Md., "People in Your Neighborhood: Warren Rosenfeld"; Second, Rachel Sawicki, Delaware Public Media, Dover, Del., "Enlighten Me: Leap Day Stories and How 'Leaplings' Celebrate Their Birthday Every Four Years."
Best Reporter: First, Rachel Sawicki, Delaware Public Media, Dover, Del.; Second, Sarah Petrowich, Delaware Public Media, Dover, Del.
Outstanding Website: First, Tom Byrne, Delaware Public Media, Dover, Del.; Second, WDEL-FM/AM, Wilmington, Del.
Outstanding Newscast: First, WDEL-FM/AM, Wilmington, Del., "Delaware's Morning News"; Second, Joe Irizarry, Delaware Public Media, Dover, Del., "All Things Considered."
Outstanding Election Night Coverage: First, WDEL-FM/AM, Wilmington, Del., "ElectionWatch"; Second, Delaware Public Media, Dover, Del.
Outstanding News Operation: First, WDEL-FM/AM, Wilmington, Del.; Second, Bryan Russo and Don Rush, Delmarva Public Media, Salisbury, Md.