Wyoming Public Radio Wins National Awards

July 9, 2012
Man smiling
Reporter Tristan Ahtone earned two awards for investigative journalism.

Wyoming Public Radio News has won a station-record five national awards from Public Radio News Directors Incorporated. PRNDI recognizes excellence in public radio journalism across the country.

Wyoming Public Radio's Tristan Ahtone picked up first- and second- place awards for best investigative journalism. His story on possible uranium contamination on the Wind River Indian Reservation won the category.

Judges said, “This story combined the investigative and narrative elements to do something really special -- uncover a wrong and then make me care about it. Superb work!”

Ahtone also won a first-place award for best soft feature story for his entertaining piece called, “Adventure into the 23rd annual Wyoming Taxidermy Competition.”

“Open Spaces” won the first-place award for the nation's best news and public affairs program. Judges said, “The pacing and selection of stories throughout speaks well to the local audience, and those who live far away. A very good public affairs program.”

It is the fifth time in six years that “Open Spaces” has won a PRNDI award. The program has now placed first three times.

WPR also received a second-place best writing award for a story written by former reporter Molly Messick.

“We’ve had a very good news department for a long time, and it is thrilling to be honored for all the hard work and time the staff brings to putting our show and features together,” Wyoming Public Media News Director Bob Beck says.

Wyoming Public Media is a division of the Outreach School and a service of the University of Wyoming. With 26 transmitters and translators throughout the state, Wyoming Public Radio reaches nearly every community in Wyoming. For more, go online to www.wyomingpublicradio.net.

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