Award Winning News Coverage of Central New York

2009 Syracuse Press Club

First Radio News Feature Adirondack Voters WAER FM 88.3 -- Brad Horn

Adirondack Voters was a special program which took place prior to the Presidential election. This piece included a variety of expert, and everyday people's opinions of Obama and McCain. The story maintained a road-trip quality, and captured some fantastic personalities along the way.

First Radio Local Newscast Election Day 2008 WAER FM 88.3 -- Scott Willis

This newscast covered everything happening during the Presidential and local governmental election day here in Central New York. It included interviews and eyewitness reports from local candidates as they were making their final rounds on voting day, voters reacting to the historic Presidential election, and reviews on some of the issues relevant to voters as they made their final decisions for both Presidential and local offices.

Second Radio Public Affairs Program Voting for the Future: The War WAER-FM-88.3 -- Chris Bolt

This particular show marked the last of the WAER special series "Voting for the Future," in which WAER News and Public Affairs Director Chris Bolt hosted hour-long discussions on issues relevant to the Presidential candidates, with a strong emphasis on how these issues affect Central New York. This last edition, "The War," covered decisions lying ahead for the President-to-be regarding the war in Iraq, and military actions in Afghanistan. Questions and topics covered ranged from: "How long would it take to bring the troops in Iraq home, if that decision is made?" to "What impacts from the war are we feeling here at home, both economically, and with the challenges of caring for veterans upon their return?"

2008 Syracuse Press Club

Best Human Interest Feature: Alex Vispoli, "Walk On Profile"

Judges comments: Stories of this sort have become rather common these days, and most of them are not very well done. However, Alex Vispoli’s treatment of Ryan Novak’s story was just superb. In the best tradition of feature reporting, he allowed the voices of his interviews to tell his sad but uplifting story. Very nicely done Mr. Vispoli.

Second Place News Feature: John Smith, "Syracuse Nationals"

Second Place Documentary: John Smith, "Empire State Musical Museum"

Judges comments: Interesting and well produced

2007 Syracuse Press Club

Best Radio Human Interest Feature: Alastair Ingram, "SU Basketball Team-Building at Fort Drum"

Judges comments:  What a great story!  The writing, together with use of actualities and nat sound, was fresh, engaging and fun.  The elements draw the listener in.  I really enjoyed it!.

Second Place Radio Mini-Series: Amanda Loder, "Prostitution, Profile, Problems and Reactions" (3-part)

Judges comments:  Tells the story of the problem of prostitution in an un-sensationalized manner, with insightful comments and a wide variety of sources.

2006 Syracuse Press Club

Best Radio News Feature -- Chris Bolt for "Hydropower's Future"

Judges' Comments: "Great use of sound."  

Special Mention Radio Special Program --  Chris Bolt for "Flight 103 Remembrance"

2001 Syracuse Press Club

Best Radio Human Interest Feature -- Richard Gardner, Reporter, Chris Bolt, Editor, "Jerry Rescue: Syracuse Fights Slavery;" WAER

Judges comments: " This was the best written and edited.  It did an excellent job of making the event relevant today."

Special Mention Radio Spot News Coverage -- Scott R. Willis, "Syracuse Firefighters go to Ground Zero;" WAER.

Special Mention Radio Human Interest Feature -- Kelly O'Donnell, "George Scoff: The Black Bear;" WAER

Judges comments: "Creative angle, good use of music, well read."

Special Mention Radio Newscast -- Nicci Brown, Chris Bolt; WAER News (December 19, 2000)

Judges Comments: "Informative coverage of multiple subjects. Good pacing."

Best Public Affairs -- "Election Previews" by Jennifer Stayton, Jessica Weinstein and Chris Bolt

Judges' comments: "Excellent! Well produced, well sourced and very well presented. Super job!"

Best News Feature -- "Adoption: What's a Parent?" by Keith Baldi, reporter, Chris Bolt, editor

Judges' comments: "Excellent insight into a difficult subject. Well written and nicely delivered. Solid!"

Best Human Interest Feature -- "Albert Schweitzer: The Man and His Music" by Chris Bolt

Judges' comments: "Well rounded feature with a good variety of voices. Comfortable pacing and effective use of background music"

Best Newscast -- "Storm Aftermath Continues" (5 p.m. news, 9/9/98) by Tim Benz

Judges' comments: "Good diversity of stories and angles in a time of crisis. Thorough and informative."

Special Mention Documentary -- "Reality Check: Teen Substance Abuse and Prevention" Brian Moore, reporter, Chris Bolt, editor

Judges' comments: "Some great interviews! So many good interviews and so little time, but you tied it all together well and kept the listener interested throughout."

Special Mention: Spot News -- "April Gregory Mystery Solved" Jennifer Stayton and WAER staff

Judges' Comments: "Nice job providing background on a story that was unfolding so long after it first made news. Station treated the story like real news throughout the day and didn't give in to the 'hype.' Big achievement these days."

Best in Category: Human Interest Feature -- "The Badgerus Fanaticus" Mike Krupat

Judges' Comments: Fun to listen to, and good interview choices. It's nice to hear government leaders talk like real people about a fun subject."

Special Mention: Documentary -- "Breaking the Huddle" Ron Messer

Special Mention: Public Affairs -- "Campaign '96" Jennifer Stayton

Best in Category: Public Affairs -- "1995 Pre-election Coverage" Jennifer Stayton, Trazzana Halstead, Chris Bolt, Erik Anderson.

Judges' comments: An excellent job of letting listeners know how important these "routine" local races are to them. Nice sound and effects. A first-rate job."

Best in Category: News Feature -- "In support of Jonny." Justin Kraemer

Judges' comments: "Not only was this piece put together properly, it left us feeling we had just heard the complete story. It's tough to accomplish that in radio, but this reporter did an excellent job with good use of writing and sound.

Special Mention: Mini Series -- "Flight 103, a look back." Josephine Rotolo, Anne Marie O'keefe, Melissa Long, Sagar Meghani, Chris Bolt

Judges' comment: Thoughtful and thorough.