Michigan Radio received ten awards for news coverage this weekend from the Michigan Associated Press Media Editors. The station was recognized with five First Place awards and five Second Place awards in the large market radio category. The large market radio category includes both public and commercial radio stations that serve Michigan’s largest market of Detroit. Here is the complete list of Michigan Radio winners:
First Place
- Best Continuing Coverage: “Coverage of Flint Water Crisis”
- Best Reporter/Anchor: Lindsey Smith
- Best Investigative Reporting: Mark Brush/Rebecca Williams, "Michigan Officials Changed a Flint Lead Report to Avoid Federal Action"
- Best Use of Sound: Kyle Norris, “Instruments”
- Best Public Service: Mark Brush, “Testing for Lead”
Second Place
- Outstanding News Operation: Michigan Radio
- Best Documentary: Lindsey Smith, "Not Safe to Drink"
- Best Enterprise Reporting: Kate Wells, "Detroit Retired Firefighters Battle Cancer, Medical Bills"
- Best Investigative Reporting: Joe Linstroth/Kate Wells, "Sexual Assault Investigations at MSU"
- Best Digital Presence: Michigan Radio
In referring to Michigan Radio’s First Place award in the Public Service category, the judges commented, “With the Flint lead crisis, people throughout the state are understandably concerned about their own water. This program provides very important information to listeners everywhere.”
The Associated Press is a not-for-profit news cooperative representing 1,400 newspapers and 5,000 broadcast stations in the United States. The Michigan Associated Press Media Editors competition features news reports, feature stories, documentaries, photography as well as newscasts and sportscasts that aired in 2015. The awards were formally presented at a ceremony on Sunday, May 22 in Lansing.