The CAPBA Awards will be presented Saturday, May 30, 2026!

---

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, May 30, at the Princess Royale Oceanfront Resort in Ocean City, Md. Information and ticket sales are available at: https://2026-chesapeake-ap-broadcasters-awards-tickets.eventbrite.com.

Twenty-seven news organizations in Maryland, Delaware and Washington, D.C., submitted a record 378 entries in the contest, which featured news and sports from 2025.

Please review the finalists and contact Heidi Brown (hbrown@ap.org or 434-465-0285) by Friday, April 3, to report any misspelled names, titles or other problems. Stations may publicize that they are finalists in the awards competition.

The 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.

ALL DIVISIONS:

Best Podcast-Audio: Jason Michael Perry, Sam Bermas-Dawes and Shanya Mapson, WYPR-FM, Baltimore, "Thoughts on Tech and Things: How Are Public Schools Preparing for AI?"; Scott Wykoff, WBAL-AM, Baltimore, "Navy Insider Podcast."

Best Digital-First Storytelling: Social Video: Matthew Cappucci, MyRadar, "Spotted Lantern Flies Invade D.C."; Matt Kaufax, WTOP-FM, Washington, "Matt About Town."

Best Multi-Platform Storytelling: Jimmy Alexander, WTOP-FM, Washington, "Wellington The Pig!"; Torie Seagraves and Zoe Stayman, WRDE-TV, Milton, Del., "Deadly Dagsboro House Explosion."

COLLEGE RADIO:

Outstanding General News: Sydney Rutledge-Smith and Bryan Russo, DPM’s Student Productions on WSDL, "Maryland Governor Says HBCU's 'More Important Than Ever Before'"; Sydney Rutledge-Smith and Bryan Russo, DPM’s Student Productions on WSDL, "UMES Could Feel the Shock of Trump's DEI Orders."

Outstanding Feature: Colin Bright and Bryan Russo, DPM’s Student Productions on WSDL, "Worcester County Family Gets the Home of Their Dreams"; Lauren Imhof and Bryan Russo, DPM’s Student Productions on WSDL, "Conservation Conversations: Do Dandelions Have Healing Powers?"

Outstanding College Newscast: Tyler Hale, Jada Skye Brown and Keema Jones, DPM’s Student Productions on WSDL, "The Five Minute Fly-By."

COLLEGE TV:

Outstanding General News: Eddy Calkins, Capital News Service, College Park, Md., "FBI HQ Lawsuit"; Eddy Calkins, Capital News Service, College Park, Md., "Key Bridge Findings."

Outstanding Feature: Eddy Calkins, Capital News Service, College Park, Md., "Local Jeopardy! Winner"; Ben Wolf, Capital News Service, College Park, Md., "Thermopact Mouthguard."

Outstanding Sports Reporting: Andrew McBride, Capital News Service, College Park, Md., "Backfield Brothers"; Zion Williams, Capital News Service, College Park, Md., "Open Goal Project."

Outstanding College Newscast: Capital News Service, College Park, Md.

TV I/LARGE MARKET:

Outstanding Spot News Reporting: Christian Flores, Noel Chavez-Gallegos and Raul Candia, WJLA-TV, Washington, "National Guard Shooting Near the White House"; Tara Lynch, WJZ-TV, Baltimore, "West Baltimore Warehouse Devastated by Seven-Alarm Blaze."

Outstanding Coverage of a Continuing Story: Kane Farabaugh, Voice of America-TV, Washington, "The Life and Legacy of Jimmy Carter"; WRC-TV, Washington, "Midair Crash."

Outstanding News Series: Mike Hellgren and Judy Ryan, WJZ-TV, Baltimore, "Immigration in Maryland: Melissa's Story"; WJLA-TV, Washington, "How to Survive a Flash Flood When Swept Off Your Feet."

Best Television Photography: Kristi Harper, WMAR-TV, Baltimore, "Hungry for Rain"; Tom Kopania, WUSA 9, Washington.

Best Producer: Kane Farabaugh, Voice of America-TV, Washington, "The Life and Legacy of Jimmy Carter."

Best TV News Anchor: Scott Thuman, WJLA-TV, Washington.

Outstanding Public Affairs: WRC-TV, Washington, "4 More Context"; WUSA 9, Washington, "The First: Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson."

Best Specialty Reporting:  Lorenzo Hall, Ruth Morton, Nicholas Rhule, WUSA 9, Washington, "The Other Washington";  Yao Yu, Yuyang Ren, Monica Xu and Elizabeth Lee, Voice of America-TV, Washington, "Chinese Migration Through the U.S. Backdoor."

Best Investigative Reporting: Scott Taylor, Kimi Fleming and Jacob Fisher, WJLA-TV, Washington, "DC Mayor's Secret $105K Middle East Trip"; WRC-TV, Washington, "Battling for Benefits."

Outstanding Documentary/In-Depth Reporting: Teneille Gibson and Dominique Moody, WRC-TV, Washington, "Lakeland";  Simone De Alba, Stephanie Wilson, Ruth Morton, WUSA 9, Washington, "DMV: The Bradford Bishop Murders."

Best Enterprise Reporting: Tara Lynch and Cory Sellgren, WJZ-TV, Baltimore, "The Economic Engine Beneath the Bay"; Mallory Sofastaii and Chris Verri, WMAR-TV, Baltimore, "When Disaster Dollars Miss the Mark."

Outstanding Sports Feature: Sean Martinelli and Tom Kopania, WUSA 9, Washington, "The Heart of It: Washington Hockey Club."

Outstanding Serious Feature: Project Baltimore, WBFF-TV, Baltimore, "The Legacy"; Sean Martinelli, Tom Kopania and Ruth Morton, WUSA 9, Washington, "The Heart of It: The Legacy of Calvin Steve."

Best Meteorologist or Weathercaster: WUSA 9, Washington, "Boom or Bust? How Much Snow to Expect in the DMV."

Best Multimedia Journalist: Kane Farabaugh, Voice of America-TV, Washington; Jay Korff, WJLA-TV, Washington, "Old-Man, One-Man Band Back in the Saddle."

Outstanding Light Feature: Jay Korff and Kimi Fleming, WJLA-TV, Washington, "Not All Poets Can Speak"; Sean Martinelli and Ruth Morton, WUSA 9, Washington, "The Heart of It: Forgetful Friends."

Best Reporter: Kane Farabaugh, Voice of America-TV, Washington; Sean Martinelli, WUSA 9, Washington.

Outstanding Website: WRC-TV, Washington; WJLA-TV, Washington.

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

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

Outstanding Weekend Newscast: WRC-TV, Washington; WJLA-TV, Washington, "Alex Ovechkin Breaks NHL Scoring Record."

Outstanding Election Night Coverage: Princess Harrell, WJLA-TV, Washington, "Beyond the Podium: Election 2025"; WRC-TV, Washington, "Election Night."

Outstanding Political Coverage: Carolyn Presutti, Voice of America-TV, Washington, "The Trump White House"; WRC-TV, WRC-TV, Washington, "Who's Behind Those Ads?"

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

Best TV Sports Anchor: John Doran, WUSA 9, Washington; Alex Glaze, WJZ-TV, Baltimore.

Outstanding News Operation: Jon Brady, WJLA-TV, Washington; WBAL-TV Staff, WBAL-TV, Baltimore.

TV II/SMALL MARKET:

Outstanding Spot News Reporting: Kristina DeRobertis, Olivia Armstrong and Madeleine Overturf, WRDE-TV, Milton, Del., "Perdue Hazmat"; Maegan Summers, WBOC-TV, Salisbury, Md., "Search for Missing Princess Anne Waterman Continues."

Outstanding Coverage of a Continuing Story: Emma Aken and Matthew Hipsman, WRDE-TV, Milton, Del., "Lewes Fire Department Scandal"; Ron Krisulevicz, Hunter Landon and Kyle Orens, WBOC-TV, Salisbury, Md., "Offshore Wind."

Outstanding News Series: Jake Grant and Kolby Redden, WMDT-TV, Salisbury, Md., "Discover Delmarva"; Tierra Williams and Jordie Clark, WMDT-TV, Salisbury, Md., "Black History Month 2025."

Best Television Photography: Maegan Summers, WBOC-TV, Salisbury, Md., "Duck Decoy Carving"; Jack Kyritsis , Ben Membrino and Tre Beckett, Delmarva Sports Network, Salisbury, Md..

Best Producer: Olivia Armstrong, WRDE-TV, Milton, Del.; Colby Moore, WBOC-TV, Salisbury, Md..

Best Specialty Reporting: Hunter Landon, WBOC-TV, Salisbury, Md., "Political Reporting"; Ana Sofia Roman, WRDE-TV, Milton, Del., "Immigration."

Best Investigative Reporting: Leila Weah and Mike Lawrence, WMDT-TV, Salisbury, Md., "Trail to the Truth Series."

Outstanding Documentary/In-Depth Reporting: Bill Mich, WBOC-TV, Salisbury, Md., "Unbridled Tradition: The 100th Chincoteague Pony Penning"; Tierra Williams, WMDT-TV, Salisbury, Md., "2020 Recap: Black Lives Matter vs. Blue Lives Matter."

Best Enterprise Reporting: Brian Roche, WMDT-TV, Salisbury, Md., "Cambridge Mother Speaks out on Assault by Students"; Ana Sofia Roman and Ted Corriero, WRDE-TV, Milton, Del., "Perdue Hazmat Worker Speaks Out."

Outstanding Sports Feature: Chris Brunk, WMDT-TV, Salisbury, Md., "After the Whistle: Del Tech's Philip LoMedico"; Jack Kyritsis and Tim Nolan, Delmarva Sports Network, Salisbury, Md., "The Right Glove: Bobbie Smith's Game-Changing Adjustment."

Outstanding Serious Feature: Han Cechini and Mike Lawrence, WMDT-TV, Salisbury, Md., "103-Year-Old WWII Veteran Recounts, Reflects on 80th Anniversary of Atomic Bombs"; Matt Pencek and Ted Corriero, WRDE-TV, Milton, Del., "50 Years Since Vietnam."

Best Meteorologist or Weathercaster: Mike Lichniak, WBOC-TV, Salisbury, Md.; Rich Wirdzek, WMDT-TV, Salisbury, Md.

Best Multimedia Journalist: Emma Aken, WRDE-TV, Milton, Del.; Brandon Ferguson, WRDE-TV, Milton, Del.

Outstanding Light Feature: Kristina DeRobertis and Ted Corriero, WRDE-TV, Milton, Del., "Senator Tom Carper Bids Farewell"; Madeleine Overturf, Ted Corriero and Brandon Ferguson, WRDE-TV, Milton, Del., "Chincoteague Pony Swim."

Best Reporter: Emma Aken, WRDE-TV, Milton, Del.; Brandon Ferguson, WRDE-TV, Milton, Del.

Outstanding Year-Round Local Sports: Chris Brunk, WMDT-TV, Salisbury, Md., "After the Whistle"; Kayla Santiago and Bill Vernon, Delmarva Sports Network, Salisbury, Md.

Outstanding Website: Sean Curtis, WBOC-TV, Salisbury, Md.; Torie Seagraves and Zoe Stayman, WRDE-TV, Milton, Del.

Outstanding Morning Newscast: Alyssa Baker, Matt Pencek and Grace Eckerle, WRDE-TV, Milton, Del.; Bees Beesley, WBOC-TV, Salisbury, Md.

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

Outstanding Weekend Newscast: Stella Guzik, WBOC-TV, Salisbury, Md.; Madeleine Overturf, Owen Lipka and Brandon Ferguson, WRDE-TV, Milton, Del.

Outstanding Political Coverage: Andrea Duran, WMDT-TV, Salisbury, Md., "Soybean Farmers Hold Hope China Will Buy"; Madeleine Overturf, Ted Corriero and Torie Seagraves, WRDE-TV, Milton, Del., "Where is Stell Parker Selby?"

Best TV News Anchor: Madeleine Overturf, WRDE-TV, Milton, Del.; John Trout, WMDT-TV, Salisbury, Md.

Best TV Sports Anchor: Kayla Santiago, Delmarva Sports Network, Salisbury, Md.; Darron Wallace, Delmarva Sports Network, Salisbury, Md.

Outstanding News Operation: Joe Carmean and Stephanie Willey, WMDT-TV, Salisbury, Md.; John Dearing Dearing, Madeleine Overturf and Torie Seagraves, WRDE-TV, Milton, Del.

RADIO I/METRO:

Outstanding Spot News Reporting: Robert Lang, Phil Yacuboski and Mary Anne Perry, WBAL-AM, Baltimore, "5-Alarm Fire in Remington"; WTOP Staff, WTOP-FM, Washington, "Potomac Plane Crash."

Outstanding Coverage of a Continuing Story: Scott Maucione, WYPR-FM, Baltimore, "Mass Overdoses in Baltimore as the City Strives for Change"; WAMU News Staff, WAMU-FM, Washington, "The Aftermath of the Midair Plane and Helicopter Collision in D.C.."

Outstanding News Series: JJ Green, WTOP-FM, Washington, "National Insecurity"; Justin Milliner, Bloomberg 99.1, Washington, "Today in Black History."

Outstanding Use of Sound: Wambui Kamau, WYPR-FM, Baltimore, "Kenyan Cookout in Baltimore County Draws Crowd Amid U.S. Immigration Fears"; Scott Maucione, WYPR-FM, Baltimore, "Maryland School's Haunted Collection Contains Spooky Sounds and Interviews."

Outstanding Talk Show: Tom Hall, Sam Bermas-Dawes and Rob Sivak, WYPR-FM, Baltimore, "Maryland Is Seeing a Spike in Scams Online and Over the Phone. What Can You Do About It?"; Clarence Mitchell IV, Bryan Nehman and Zach Tinney, WBAL-AM, Baltimore.

Outstanding Editorial or Commentary: Del Walters, WTOP-FM, Washington, "Here We Go... Again"; Karsonya Wise Whitehead, Justina Pollard and Andre Melton, WEAA-FM, Baltimore, "Democracy Is Fragile: Understanding How 'We the People' Is Becoming 'They the People'."

Outstanding Public Affairs: Tom Hall, Sam Bermas-Dawes and Teria Rogers, WYPR-FM, Baltimore, "What's the Future for Local Journalism?"; Ashley Sterner and Melissa Gerr, WYPR-FM, Baltimore, "Amtrak's Frederick Douglass Tunnel Impacts in West Baltimore."

Best Specialty Reporting: Blair Dyer, WEAA-FM, Baltimore, "Breaking the Cycle: Race, Stroke and the Power of Healing"; Scott Maucione, WYPR-FM, Baltimore, "Baltimore Has a Huge Opportunity With Opioid Care in 2026, the Test Has Begun."

Outstanding Documentary/In-Depth Reporting: WBAL-AM, Baltimore, "State of Addiction."

Best Enterprise Reporting: Wambui Kamau, WYPR-FM, Baltimore, "A School Trains Women in Baltimore to Rebuild the Blocks — and the System."

Outstanding Sports Feature: Ben Raby, WTOP-FM, Washington, "The Great 8!"; Jai Shields, WEAA-FM, Baltimore, "Sleepy John."

Outstanding Serious Feature: John Lee, WYPR-FM, Baltimore, "Anne Arundel's Historic Belvoir Manor, Rooted in Enslaved Lives, at Risk of Being Lost"; Justin O'Neill and Ingalisa Schrobsdorff, WAMU-FM, Washington, "How D.C.'s History Leaves Home Rule Vulnerable to Federal Interference."

Outstanding Light Feature: Esther Ciammachilli, Tyrone Turner and Ingalisa Schrobsdorff, WAMU-FM, Washington, "How a Neon-Clad Exercise Group Became a Community of Support and Empowerment"; Jackson Sinnenberg and Justin O'Neill, WAMU-FM, Washington, "Adams Morgan's Smash Records Celebrates 40 Years of Being a Communal Hub for D.C.."

Best Reporter: John Lee, WYPR-FM, Baltimore.

Best Reporter: Matt Kaufax, WTOP-FM, Washington.

Outstanding Website: John Laur, Will Carter and Robert Sobus, WBAL-AM, Baltimore; WTOP.com Staff, WTOP-FM, Washington.

Outstanding Newscast: Nathan Hager, Lisa Mateo and Michael Barr, Bloomberg 99.1, Washington; WTOP Staff, WTOP-FM, Washington.

Outstanding Political Coverage: Alex Koma and Ingalisa Schrobsdorff, WAMU-FM, Washington, "D.C. Grapples With Trump Administration Takeover"; Justina Pollard, Karsonya Wise Whitehead and Andre Melton, WEAA-FM, Baltimore, "A Moment of Political Cognitive Dissonance with Anti-Race Author and Activist Tim Wise."

Best Radio News Anchor: John Domen, WTOP-FM, Washington; Robert Lang, WBAL-AM, Baltimore.

Outstanding News Operation: WBAL-AM, Baltimore; WTOP Staff, WTOP-FM, Washington.

RADIO II/NON-METRO:

Outstanding Spot News Reporting: Kevin Diaz, Delmarva Public Media, Salisbury, Md., "Reconnecting Communities' Grants Fall to Trump Budget Cuts"; WDEL-FM/AM, Wilmington, Del., "State Trooper Gunned Down."

Outstanding Coverage of a Continuing Story: Kevin Diaz, Delmarva Public Media, Salisbury, Md., "Deportation on Delmarva"; WDEL-FM/AM, Wilmington, Del., "State Trooper Gunned Down."

  Outstanding News Series: Don Rush, Delmarva Public Media, Salisbury, Md., “Trump Immigration Raids Spark Fear in the Undocumented Community”; Jim Brady, Radio Chesapeake, Cambridge, Md., “Cambridge Harbor Controversy.”

Outstanding Use of Sound: Kevin Diaz, Delmarva Public Media, Salisbury, Md., "Mixing Food and Politics: Behind the Scenes at the Annual Tawes Crab Clame Bake"; Martin Matheny, Delaware Public Media, Dover, Del., "Wilmington Children's Chorus Joins German Youth Orchestra for Saturday Concert."

Outstanding Talk Show: Tom Byrne, Paige Murray-Bessler and Shirley Min, Delaware Public Media, Dover, Del., "Ask Gov. Meyer"; Rick Jensen, WDEL-FM/AM, Wilmington, Del.

Outstanding Editorial or Commentary: Dr.Kerry Forrestal, Radio Chesapeake, "ASD - What is True, What is Bunk, About Autism"; Rick Jensen, WDEL-FM/AM, Wilmington, Del., "Fraud Scandal."

Outstanding Public Affairs: Sarah Petrowich, Delaware Public Media, Dover, Del., "Delaware's High Hopes - Marijuana Legalization in the First State"; WDEL-FM/AM, Wilmington, Del., "Feed a Friend."

Best Specialty Reporting: Stephen Philip Harvey, Delmarva Public Media, Salisbury, Md., "Off the Record"; Martin Matheny, Delaware Public Media, Dover, Del., "The Arts."

Best Investigative Reporting: Jim Brady, Radio Chesapeake, "Cambridge Harbor Planning Raises Doubts"; Kevin Diaz and Don Rush, Delmarva Public Media, Salisbury, Md., "Former Salisbury Council President on Why He Quit."

Outstanding Documentary/In-Depth Reporting: Sarah Petrowich, Delaware Public Media, Dover, Del., "Federal SNAP Changes are Imminent. Here's What That Means for Food Access and Delaware's Budget Crunch"; Bryan Russo, Delmarva Public Media, Salisbury, Md., "Hospitality Bites: Exploring the Dramatic Rise in Mental Health Issues in the Hospitality Industry."

Best Enterprise Reporting: Jim Brady, Radio Chesapeake, "CWDI Falsified Frank Narr Appointment Status"; Kevin Diaz, Delmarva Public Media, Salisbury, Md., "ICE Sparks Fear and Uncertainty in Delmarva's Immigrant Community."

Outstanding Sports Feature: Jenny O'Connor, Delmarva Public Media, Salisbury, Md., "Salisbury University Brings Back the Marching Band to Amp up Fan's Experience."

Outstanding Serious Feature: Kevin Diaz, Delmarva Public Media, Salisbury, Md., "Delmarva's Food Pantries Overwhelmed as Thanksgiving Approaches"; Mark Fowser, WDEL-FM/AM, Wilmington, Del., "New Beginnings."

Outstanding Light Feature: Sean Greene, WDEL-FM/AM, Wilmington, Del., "Rock On - A Different High School Band"; Brian Shane and Bryan Russo, Delmarva Public Media, Salisbury, Md., "Snow Hill Celebrates 25 Years of 'Blessings'."

Best Reporter: Mark Fowser, WDEL-FM/AM, Wilmington, Del.; Mike Phillips, WDEL-FM/AM, Wilmington, Del.

Outstanding Year-Round Local Sports: Sean Greene, WDEL-FM/AM, Wilmington, Del.

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

Outstanding Newscast: Joe Irizarry, Delaware Public Media, Dover, Del.; WDEL-FM/AM, Wilmington, Del.

Outstanding Weekend Newscast: Tom Byrne, Delaware Public Media, Dover, Del.

Outstanding Political Coverage: Sarah Petrowich, Delaware Public Media, Dover, Del., "Port of Wilmington Board Controversy."

Best Radio News Anchor: Chris Carl, WDEL-FM/AM, Wilmington, Del.; Peter MacArthur, WDEL-FM/AM, Wilmington, Del.

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