WBFO earned nine first-place awards at the New York State Associated Press Association awards banquet on Saturday – more than any other radio or television station in the state.
This is the fifth year in a row WBFO has earned top honors in the annual award contest.
The station won first place for Outstanding News Operation.
Senior reporter Eileen Buckley received first place for the Art Athens General Excellence of Individual Reporting award for the ninth time.
WBFO’s website, social media, apps, and more won first place for Digital Presence.
The station’s coverage of the opioid epidemic earned first place in Public Service, and it’s coverage of a tornado’s destructive path through Hamburg earned first place in Spot News Coverage.
Avery Schneider’s feature, “Haircuts and Heart Health,” on an initiative to check blood pressure in barber shops and beauty salons was awarded first place for Best Feature.
First place for Best Documentary was awarded to Eileen Buckley and Jonny Moran for their hour-long special, “The Education Experience.”
First place for Best News Series went to WBFO Arts and Culture News Desk lead reporter Scott Sackett for his series on the arts and social integration.
Michael Mroziak’s story, “The 11-Day Power Play,” about a record-setting hockey fundraiser took first place for Best Sport Coverage.
Second place awards went to Eileen Buckley for Best Use of Sound in her story on the “Ice Cream Dude,” and to Investigative Post’s Daniela Porat for Best Investigative Reporting for three reports documenting prevalent police issues in Buffalo.
The NYSAPA awards banquet was held in Saratoga Springs. The contest recognized the best in newspaper, television, and radio journalism. A panel of peers from similar-sized markets judged the entries.
See all of WBFO's awards in this year's collection below:
