CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WINNERS!

Winners of the 2025 Chesapeake Associated Press Broadcasters Association Awards were announced May 30, 2026, in Ocean City, Md. 

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. 

CAPBA also awarded a $3000 scholarship to Charlotte Pfabe, a rising senior at Elon University in Elon, N.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 2025 Chesapeake AP Broadcasters Association Contest:

ALL DIVISIONS:

Best in Show—Television: Bill Mich, WBOC-TV, Salisbury, for “Unbridled Tradition: The 100th Chincoteague Pony Penning.” (Documentary/In-Depth)

Best in Show—Radio: Jackson Sinnenberg and Justin O’Neill, WAMU-FM, Washington, for “Adams Morgan’s Smash Records Celebrates 40 Years of Being a Communal Hub for the D.C. Punk Scene.” (Light Feature)

Best Podcast-Audio: 1, Scott Wykoff, WBAL-AM, Baltimore, "Navy Insider Podcast"; 2, Jason Michael Perry, Sam Bermas-Dawes and Shanya Mapson, WYPR-FM, Baltimore, "Thoughts on Tech and Things: How Are Public Schools Preparing for AI?"

Best Digital-First Storytelling: Social Video: 1, Matt Kaufax, WTOP-FM, Washington, "Matt About Town"; 2, Matthew Cappucci, MyRadar, "Spotted Lantern Flies Invade D.C."

Best Multi-Platform Storytelling: 1, Torie Seagraves and Zoe Stayman, WRDE-TV, Milton, Del., "Deadly Dagsboro House Explosion"; 2, Jimmy Alexander, WTOP-FM, Washington, "Wellington the Pig!"

COLLEGE TV:

Outstanding General News: 1, Eddy Calkins, Capital News Service, College Park, Md., "Key Bridge Findings"; 2, Eddy Calkins, Capital News Service, College Park, Md., "FBI HQ Lawsuit."

Outstanding Feature: 1, Ben Wolf, Capital News Service, College Park, Md., "Thermopact Mouthguard"; 2, Eddy Calkins, Capital News Service, College Park, Md., "Local Jeopardy! Winner."

Outstanding Sports Reporting: 1, Zion Williams, Capital News Service, College Park, Md., "Open Goal Project"; 2, Andrew McBride, Capital News Service, College Park, Md., "Backfield Brothers."

Outstanding College Newscast: 1, Capital News Service, College Park, Md.

COLLEGE RADIO:

Outstanding General News: 1, Sydney Rutledge-Smith and Bryan Russo, DPM’s Student Productions on WSDL, "Maryland Governor Says HBCU's 'More Important Than Ever Before'"; 2, Sydney Rutledge-Smith and Bryan Russo, DPM’s Student Productions on WSDL, "UMES Could Feel the Shock of Trump's DEI Orders."

Outstanding Feature: 1, Colin Bright and Bryan Russo, DPM’s Student Productions on WSDL, "Worcester County Family Gets the Home of Their Dreams"; 2, Lauren Imhof and Bryan Russo, DPM’s Student Productions on WSDL, "Conservation Conversations: Do Dandelions Have Healing Powers?."

Outstanding College Newscast: 1, Tyler Hale, Jada Skye Brown and Keema Jones, DPM’s Student Productions on WSDL, "The Five-Minute Fly-By."

TV I/LARGE MARKET:

Outstanding Spot News Reporting: 1, Tara Lynch, WJZ-TV, Baltimore, "West Baltimore Warehouse Devastated by Seven-Alarm Blaze"; 2, Christian Flores, Noel Chavez and Raul Candia, WJLA-TV, Washington, "National Guard Shooting Near the White House."

Outstanding Coverage of a Continuing Story: 1, WRC-TV, Washington, "Midair Crash"; 2, Kane Farabaugh, Voice of America-TV, Washington, "The Life and Legacy of Jimmy Carter."

Outstanding News Series: 1, WJLA-TV, Washington, "How to Survive a Flash Flood When Swept Off Your Feet"; 2, Mike Hellgren and Judy Ryan, WJZ-TV, Baltimore, "Immigration in Maryland: Melissa's Story."

Best Television Photography: 1, Tom Kopania, WUSA 9, Washington; 2, Kristi Harper, WMAR-TV, Baltimore, "Hungry for Rain."

Best Producer: 1, Kane Farabaugh, Voice of America-TV, Washington, "The Life and Legacy of Jimmy Carter."

Outstanding Public Affairs: 1, WRC-TV, Washington, "4 More Context"; 2, WUSA 9, Washington, "The First: Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson."

Best Specialty Reporting: 1, Lorenzo Hall, Ruth Morton, Nicholas Rhule, WUSA 9, Washington, "The Other Washington"; 2, Yao Yu, Yuyang Ren, Monica Xu and Elizabeth Lee, Voice of America-TV, Washington, "Chinese Migration Through the U.S. Backdoor."

Best Investigative Reporting: 1, Scott Taylor, Kimi Fleming and Jacob Fisher, WJLA-TV, Washington, "DC Mayor's Secret $105K Middle East Trip"; 2, WRC-TV, Washington, "Battling for Benefits."

Outstanding Documentary/In-Depth Reporting: 1, Simone De Alba, Stephanie Wilson, Ruth Morton, WUSA 9, Washington, "DMV: The Bradford Bishop Murders"; 2, Teneille Gibson and Dominique Moody, WRC-TV, Washington, "Lakeland."

Best Enterprise Reporting: 1, Cory Sellgren and Tara Lynch, WJZ-TV, Baltimore, "The Economic Engine Beneath the Bay"; 2, Mallory Sofastaii and Chris Verri, WMAR-TV, Baltimore, "When Disaster Dollars Miss the Mark."

Outstanding Sports Feature: 1, Sean Martinelli and Tom Kopania, WUSA 9, Washington, "The Heart of It: Washington Hockey Club."

Outstanding Serious Feature: 1, Sean Martinelli, Tom Kopania and Ruth Morton, WUSA 9, Washington, "The Heart of It: The Legacy of Calvin Steve"; 2, Project Baltimore, WBFF-TV, Baltimore, "The Legacy."

Best Meteorologist or Weathercaster: 1, WUSA 9, Washington, "Boom or Bust? How Much Snow to Expect in the DMV."

Best Multimedia Journalist: 1, Jay Korff, WJLA-TV, Washington, "Old-Man, One-Man Band Back in the Saddle"; 2, Kane Farabaugh, Voice of America-TV, Washington.

Outstanding Light Feature: 1, Jay Korff and Kimi Fleming, WJLA-TV, Washington, "Not All Poets Can Speak"; 2, Sean Martinelli and Ruth Morton, WUSA 9, Washington, "The Heart of It: Forgetful Friends."

Best Reporter: 1, Sean Martinelli, WUSA 9, Washington; 2, Kane Farabaugh, Voice of America-TV, Washington.

Outstanding Website: 1, WRC-TV, Washington; 2, WJLA-TV, Washington.

Outstanding Morning Newscast: 1, WJLA-TV, Washington; 2, WUSA 9, Washington.

Outstanding Late Newscast: 1, WJLA-TV, Washington; 2, WUSA 9, Washington.

Outstanding Weekend Newscast: 1, WRC-TV, Washington; 2, WJLA-TV, Washington, "Alex Ovechkin Breaks NHL Scoring Record."

Outstanding Election Night Coverage: 1, Princess Harrell, WJLA-TV, Washington, "Beyond the Podium: Election 2025"; 2, WRC-TV, Washington, "Election Night."

Outstanding Political Coverage: 1, WRC-TV, Washington, "Who's Behind Those Ads?"; 2, Carolyn Presutti, Voice of America-TV, Washington, "The Trump White House."

Best TV News Anchor: 1, Scott Thuman, WJLA-TV, Washington; 2, Lorenzo Hall, WUSA 9, Washington.

Best TV Sports Anchor: 1, Alex Glaze, WJZ-TV, Baltimore; 2, John Doran, WUSA 9, Washington.

Outstanding News Operation: 1, Jon Brady, WJLA-TV, Washington; 2, WBAL-TV, Baltimore.

TV II/SMALL MARKET:

Outstanding Spot News Reporting: 1, Maegan Summers, WBOC-TV, Salisbury, Md., "Search for Missing Princess Anne Waterman Continues"; 2, Kristina DeRobertis, Olivia Armstrong and Madeleine Overturf, WRDE-TV, Milton, Del., "Perdue Hazmat."

Outstanding Coverage of a Continuing Story: 1, Ron Krisulevicz, Hunter Landon and Kyle Orens, WBOC-TV, Salisbury, Md., "Offshore Wind"; 2, Emma Aken and Matthew Hipsman, WRDE-TV, Milton, Del., "Lewes Fire Department Scandal."

Outstanding News Series: 1, Tierra Williams and Jordie Clark, WMDT-TV, Salisbury, Md., "Black History Month 2025"; 2, Jake Grant and Kolby Redden, WMDT-TV, Salisbury, Md., "Discover Delmarva."

Best Television Photography: 1, Jack Kyritsis, Ben Membrino and Tre Beckett, Delmarva Sports Network, Salisbury, Md.; 2, Maegan Summers, WBOC-TV, Salisbury, Md., "Duck Decoy Carving."

Best Producer: 1, Olivia Armstrong, WRDE-TV, Milton, Del.; 2, Colby Moore, WBOC-TV, Salisbury, Md.

Best Specialty Reporting: 1, Hunter Landon, WBOC-TV, Salisbury, Md., "Political Reporting"; 2, Ana Sofia Roman, WRDE-TV, Milton, Del., "Immigration."

Best Investigative Reporting: 1, Leila Weah and Mike Lawrence, WMDT-TV, Salisbury, Md., "Trail to the Truth Series."

Outstanding Documentary/In-Depth Reporting: 1, Bill Mich, WBOC-TV, Salisbury, Md., "Unbridled Tradition: The 100th Chincoteague Pony Penning"; 2, Tierra Williams, WMDT-TV, Salisbury, Md., "2020 Recap: Black Lives Matter vs. Blue Lives Matter."

Best Enterprise Reporting: 1, Ana Sofia Roman and Ted Corriero, WRDE-TV, Milton, Del., "Perdue Hazmat Worker Speaks Out"; 2, Brian Roche, WMDT-TV, Salisbury, Md., "Cambridge Mother Speaks out on Assault by Students."

Outstanding Sports Feature: 1, Jack Kyritsis and Tim Nolan, Delmarva Sports Network, Salisbury, Md., "The Right Glove: Bobbie Smith's Game-Changing Adjustment"; 2, Chris Brunk, WMDT-TV, Salisbury, Md., "After the Whistle: Del Tech's Philip LoMedico."

Outstanding Serious Feature: 1, Matt Pencek and Ted Corriero, WRDE-TV, Milton, Del., "50 Years Since Vietnam"; 2, Han Cechini and Mike Lawrence, WMDT-TV, Salisbury, Md., "103-Year-Old WWII Veteran Recounts, Reflects on 80th Anniversary of Atomic Bombs."

Best Meteorologist or Weathercaster: 1, Rich Wirdzek, WMDT-TV, Salisbury, Md.; 2, Mike Lichniak, WBOC-TV, Salisbury, Md.

Best Multimedia Journalist: 1, Emma Aken, WRDE-TV, Milton, Del.; 2, Brandon Ferguson, WRDE-TV, Milton, Del.

Outstanding Light Feature: 1, Madeleine Overturf, Ted Corriero and Brandon Ferguson, WRDE-TV, Milton, Del., "Chincoteague Pony Swim"; 2, Kristina DeRobertis and Ted Corriero, WRDE-TV, Milton, Del., "Senator Tom Carper Bids Farewell."

Best Reporter: 1, Brandon Ferguson, WRDE-TV, Milton, Del.; 2, Emma Aken, WRDE-TV, Milton, Del.

Outstanding Year-Round Local Sports: 1, Kayla Santiago and Bill Vernon, Delmarva Sports Network, Salisbury, Md.; 2, Chris Brunk, WMDT-TV, Salisbury, Md., "After the Whistle."

Outstanding Website: 1, Torie Seagraves and Zoe Stayman, WRDE-TV, Milton, Del.; 2, Sean Curtis, WBOC-TV, Salisbury, Md.

Outstanding Morning Newscast: 1, Alyssa Baker, Matt Pencek and Grace Eckerle, WRDE-TV, Milton, Del.; 2, Bees Beesley, WBOC-TV, Salisbury, Md.

Outstanding Late Newscast: 1, Jana Ruark and Ron Krisulevicz, WBOC-TV, Salisbury, Md.; 2, Madeleine Overturf, Charlie Sokaitis and Paul Williams, WRDE-TV, Milton, Del.

Outstanding Weekend Newscast: 1, Stella Guzik, WBOC-TV, Salisbury, Md.; 2, Madeleine Overturf, Owen Lipka and Brandon Ferguson, WRDE-TV, Milton, Del.

Outstanding Political Coverage: 1, Madeleine Overturf, Ted Corriero and Torie Seagraves, WRDE-TV, Milton, Del., "Where Is Stell Parker Selby?"; 2, Andrea Duran, WMDT-TV, Salisbury, Md., "Soybean Farmers Hold Hope China Will Buy."

Best TV News Anchor: 1, Madeleine Overturf, WRDE-TV, Milton, Del.; 2, John Trout, WMDT-TV, Salisbury, Md.

Best TV Sports Anchor: 1, Kayla Santiago, Delmarva Sports Network, Salisbury, Md.; 2, Darron Wallace, Delmarva Sports Network, Salisbury, Md.

Outstanding News Operation: 1, Joe Carmean and Stephanie Willey, WMDT-TV, Salisbury, Md.; 2, John Dearing Dearing, Madeleine Overturf and Torie Seagraves, WRDE-TV, Milton, Del.

RADIO I/METRO:

Outstanding Spot News Reporting: 1, Robert Lang, Phil Yacuboski and Mary Anne Perry, WBAL-AM, Baltimore, "5-Alarm Fire in Remington"; 2, WTOP-FM, Washington, "Potomac Plane Crash."

Outstanding Coverage of a Continuing Story: 1, WAMU-FM, Washington, "The Aftermath of the Midair Plane and Helicopter Collision in D.C."; 2, Scott Maucione, WYPR-FM, Baltimore, "Mass Overdoses in Baltimore as the City Strives for Change."

Outstanding News Series: 1, JJ Green, WTOP-FM, Washington, "National Insecurity"; 2, Justin Milliner, Bloomberg 99.1, Washington, "Today in Black History."

Outstanding Use of Sound: 1, Scott Maucione, WYPR-FM, Baltimore, "Maryland School's Haunted Collection Contains Spooky Sounds and Interviews"; 2, Wambui Kamau, WYPR-FM, Baltimore, "Kenyan Cookout in Baltimore County Draws Crowd Amid U.S. Immigration Fears."

Outstanding Talk Show: 1, 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?"; 2, Clarence Mitchell IV, Bryan Nehman and Zach Tinney, WBAL-AM, Baltimore.

Outstanding Editorial or Commentary: 1, Del Walters, WTOP-FM, Washington, "Here We Go... Again"; 2, 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: 1, Ashley Sterner and Melissa Gerr, WYPR-FM, Baltimore, "Amtrak's Frederick Douglass Tunnel Impacts in West Baltimore"; 2, Tom Hall, Sam Bermas-Dawes and Teria Rogers, WYPR-FM, Baltimore, "What's the Future for Local Journalism?"

Best Specialty Reporting: 1, Scott Maucione, WYPR-FM, Baltimore, "Baltimore Has a Huge Opportunity With Opioid Care in 2026, the Test Has Begun"; 2, Blair Dyer, WEAA-FM, Baltimore, "Breaking the Cycle: Race, Stroke and the Power of Healing."

Outstanding Documentary/In-Depth Reporting: 1, WBAL-AM, Baltimore, "State of Addiction."

Best Enterprise Reporting: 1, Wambui Kamau, WYPR-FM, Baltimore, "A School Trains Women in Baltimore to Rebuild the Blocks — and the System."

Outstanding Sports Feature: 1, Ben Raby, WTOP-FM, Washington, "The Great 8!"; 2, Jai Shields, WEAA-FM, Baltimore, "Sleepy John."

Outstanding Serious Feature: 1, Justin O'Neill and Ingalisa Schrobsdorff, WAMU-FM, Washington, "How D.C.'s History Leaves Home Rule Vulnerable to Federal Interference"; 2, John Lee, WYPR-FM, Baltimore, "Anne Arundel's Historic Belvoir Manor, Rooted in Enslaved Lives, at Risk of Being Lost."

Outstanding Light Feature: 1, 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. Punk Scene"; 2, Esther Ciammachilli, Tyrone Turner and Ingalisa Schrobsdorff, WAMU-FM, Washington, "How a Neon-Clad Exercise Group Became a Community of Support and Empowerment."

Best Reporter: 1, John Lee, WYPR-FM, Baltimore; 2, Matt Kaufax, WTOP-FM, Washington.

Outstanding Website: 1, WTOP-FM, Washington; 2, John Laur, Will Carter and Robert Sobus, WBAL-AM, Baltimore.

Outstanding Newscast: 1, WTOP-FM, Washington; 2, Nathan Hager, Lisa Mateo and Michael Barr, Bloomberg 99.1, Washington.

Outstanding Political Coverage: 1, Alex Koma and Ingalisa Schrobsdorff, WAMU-FM, Washington, "D.C. Grapples With Trump Administration Takeover"; 2, 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: 1, Robert Lang, WBAL-AM, Baltimore; 2, John Domen, WTOP-FM, Washington.

Outstanding News Operation: 1, WBAL-AM, Baltimore; 2, WTOP-FM, Washington.

RADIO II/NON-METRO:

Outstanding Spot News Reporting: 1, WDEL-FM/AM, Wilmington, Del., "State Trooper Gunned Down"; 2, Kevin Diaz, Delmarva Public Media, Salisbury, Md., "Reconnecting Communities' Grants Fall to Trump Budget Cuts."

Outstanding Coverage of a Continuing Story: 1, WDEL-FM/AM, Wilmington, Del., "State Trooper Gunned Down"; 2, Kevin Diaz, Delmarva Public Media, Salisbury, Md., "Deportation on Delmarva."

Outstanding News Series: 1, Jim Brady, Radio Chesapeake, Cambridge, Md., "Cambridge Harbor Controversy."

Outstanding Use of Sound: 1, Martin Matheny, Delaware Public Media, Dover, Del., "Wilmington Children's Chorus Joins German Youth Orchestra for Saturday Concert"; 2, Kevin Diaz, Delmarva Public Media, Salisbury, Md., "Mixing Food and Politics: Behind the Scenes at the Annual Tawes Crab and Clam Bake."

Outstanding Talk Show: 1, Rick Jensen, WDEL-FM/AM, Wilmington, Del.; 2, Tom Byrne, Paige Murray-Bessler and Shirley Min, Delaware Public Media, Dover, Del., "Ask Gov. Meyer."

Outstanding Editorial or Commentary: 1, Dr. Kerry Forrestal, Radio Chesapeake, Cambridge, Md., "ASD - What Is True, What Is Bunk, About Autism"; 2, Rick Jensen, WDEL-FM/AM, Wilmington, Del., "Fraud Scandal."

Outstanding Public Affairs: 1, WDEL-FM/AM, Wilmington, Del., "Feed a Friend"; 2, Sarah Petrowich, Delaware Public Media, Dover, Del., "Delaware's High Hopes - Marijuana Legalization in the First State."

Best Specialty Reporting: 1, Stephen Philip Harvey, Delmarva Public Media, Salisbury, Md., "Off the Record"; 2, Martin Matheny, Delaware Public Media, Dover, Del., "The Arts."

Best Investigative Reporting: 1, Jim Brady, Radio Chesapeake, Cambridge, Md., "Cambridge Harbor Planning Raises Doubts"; 2, Kevin Diaz and Don Rush, Delmarva Public Media, Salisbury, Md., "Former Salisbury Council President on Why He Quit."

Outstanding Documentary/In-Depth Reporting: 1, 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"; 2, Bryan Russo, Delmarva Public Media, Salisbury, Md., "Hospitality Bites: Exploring the Dramatic Rise in Mental Health Issues in the Hospitality Industry."

Best Enterprise Reporting: 1, Kevin Diaz, Delmarva Public Media, Salisbury, Md., "ICE Sparks Fear and Uncertainty in Delmarva's Immigrant Community"; 2, Jim Brady, Radio Chesapeake, Cambridge, Md., "CWDI Falsified Frank Narr Appointment Status."

Outstanding Sports Feature: 1, Jenny O'Connor, Delmarva Public Media, Salisbury, Md., "Salisbury University Brings Back the Marching Band to Amp up Fan's Experience."

Outstanding Serious Feature: 1, Kevin Diaz, Delmarva Public Media, Salisbury, Md., "Delmarva's Food Pantries Overwhelmed as Thanksgiving Approaches"; 2, Mark Fowser, WDEL-FM/AM, Wilmington, Del., "New Beginnings."

Outstanding Light Feature: 1, Brian Shane and Bryan Russo, Delmarva Public Media, Salisbury, Md., "Snow Hill Celebrates 25 Years of 'Blessings'"; 2, Sean Greene, WDEL-FM/AM, Wilmington, Del., "Rock On - A Different High School Band."

Best Reporter: 1, Mark Fowser, WDEL-FM/AM, Wilmington, Del.; 2, Mike Phillips, WDEL-FM/AM, Wilmington, Del.

Outstanding Year-Round Local Sports: 1, Sean Greene, WDEL-FM/AM, Wilmington, Del.

Outstanding Website: 1, Tom Byrne, Delaware Public Media, Dover, Del.; 2, WDEL-FM/AM, Wilmington, Del.

Outstanding Newscast: 1, WDEL-FM/AM, Wilmington, Del.; 2, Joe Irizarry, Delaware Public Media, Dover, Del.

Outstanding Weekend Newscast: 1, Tom Byrne, Delaware Public Media, Dover, Del.

Outstanding Political Coverage: 1, Sarah Petrowich, Delaware Public Media, Dover, Del., "Port of Wilmington Board Controversy."

Best Radio News Anchor: 1, Chris Carl, WDEL-FM/AM, Wilmington, Del.; 2, Peter MacArthur, WDEL-FM/AM, Wilmington, Del.

Outstanding News Operation: 1, WDEL-FM/AM, Wilmington, Del.; 2, Don Rush and Bryan Russo, Delmarva Public Media, Salisbury, Md.