KTAR News earns first, second places for journalism at AP awards
May 15, 2018, 11:13 AM
(KTAR Photo/Matt Layman)
PHOENIX — The KTAR newsroom collected four awards, including two first-place finishes, from the Associated Press Television and Radio Association, it was announced this week.
KTAR News 92.3 FM took two first-place finishes in reporting and two second-place finishes for digital presence and reporting in the annual competition among 13 states.
The awards were announced Monday.
Reporter Sharon Mittelman earned first place in sports features for her October 2017 piece on Chase Field organist Bobby Freeman.
The story on the Arizona Diamondbacks’ organ player also won an Edward R. Murrow Award earlier this year.
Former KTAR journalist Corbin Carson was named best reporter. Now working in Los Angeles, judges said, “He excels at all styles of reporting – live hits, newscast spots, features and interviews. He’s great with sound mixing, and his creative choices make his stories pop.”
The 5 p.m. Expansion, led by anchor Becky Lynn, landed a second-place award for best evening newscast.
Judges said, “The news team managed to immediately respond to the breaking story about Rep. Trent Franks resignation.
“Given the timing, it makes sense that the coverage included basic details from one reporter and a simple conversation with an analyst from another.
“The fast turnaround of this coverage showed the team’s strength. It was great to hear so much information on a variety of topics.”
The digital team, judges said, showed “A nice use of synergy between the website, app and social media sites to inform and engage the audience.”
The awards came on the heels of KTAR News winning three regional Murrows, including for overall excellence, in April.