KUER’s News and RadioWest teams were both honored for exceptional storytelling at the Utah Headliners journalism contest last night, winning a total of fifteen awards. KUER was awarded in numerous categories, including government reporting, continuing coverage, public affairs, criminal justice and education, with new reporters Julia Ritchey, Erik Neumann and Lee Hale bringing in nearly half of the awards. Once again, KUER won the category of Best Radio Reporter, with Whittney Evans taking home this year’s trophy.
“I’m thankful to have the opportunity to follow my passion for radio and cover issues in the community that I care about,” says winning reporter Whittney Evans. “It helps that I have incredibly supportive and passionate colleagues who push me to do work we can all be proud of.”
KUER News Director Terry Gildea has more than doubled KUER’s News team during his tenure. Whittney Evans was one of his first new hires. “I have worked with Whittney Evans at KUER for more than five years and in that time, I’ve seen her report and produce some incredibly important stories that have informed our audience across the state,” said Gildea. “I am thrilled that the Utah Headliners chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists is recognizing her this year.”
Here is a complete list of KUER winners:
- Best Radio Reporter: First Place: Whittney Evans; Third Place: Julia Ritchey
- Best General News: Third Place: Erik Neumann, Eccles Theater Opens This Friday
- Best General Feature: Second Place: Julia Ritchey, Misty Snow Scraps Traditional Utah Dem Playbook in Bid To Unseat Senator Mike Lee
- Best Continuing Coverage: First Place: Judy Fahys, Continuing Environmental Coverage; Honorable Mention: Whittney Evans, Continuing Coverage of Salt Lake City’s Homeless Crisis
- Best Government Reporting: Second Place: Julia Ritchey, Utah Election Officials Reassure Voters of Polling Integrity
- Best Public Affairs / Talk Show: First Place: RadioWest, The Story of the Mormon LGBT Policy; Second Place: RadioWest, U.S. Presidential Candidate Evan McMullin on RadioWest
- Best Use of Sound: Third Place: Julia Ritchey, Utah’s Six Electors Affirm Trump Victory Amid Protests
- Best Spot News: Third Place: Julia Ritchey, Recount Upholds LaVar Christensen Victory In Close House Race
- Best Criminal Justice: First Place: Whittney Evans, Brigham Young Students Claim University Punished Rape Victims For Reporting
- Best Education: First Place: Lee Hale, Teaching Special Ed Doesn’t Have To Be So Hard
- Best Personality Profile: First Place: Whittney Evans, From Homeless Runaway to Attorney And Advocate, Nicole Lowe Tells Her Story; Second Place: Erik Neumann, Bishop And Clemens Fight For 1st District Seat
