WPR News Earns Regional Murrow Awards

Wyoming Public Radio’s (WPR) News Department was awarded three Regional Edward R. Murrow awards last week for demonstrating excellence in the electronic news profession. WPR competes in region three in the small market category.

"These are highly sought after awards and are difficult to win,” says News Director Bob Beck. “I am extremely proud of our news team for their commitment to excellence. To win three awards in one year is amazing."

WPR education reporter Aaron Schrank won in the Best Hard News category for his story on how new federal guidelines have led to seven Wyoming school districts deciding to forgo federal dollars and leave the federal school lunch program.

Reporter Melodie Edwards won in the Best Use of Sound category for her light-hearted story about urban teens participating in a conservation program at Heart Mountain in Park County.

Former WPR reporter Irina Zhorov won for Best Investigative Story. She focused on how smaller oil and gas developments may be leading to pollution.

All three winners will now be considered for national awards that will be announced in June.

The Radio Television Digital News Association has honored outstanding achievements in electronic journalism with the Edward R. Murrow Awards since 1971.

Wyoming Public Media is a division of the Outreach School and a service of the University of Wyoming. With transmitters and translators throughout the state, Wyoming Public Radio reaches nearly every community in Wyoming. For more, go online to http://wyomingpublicmedia.org.