WLRN News received 13 awards at the 2019 Florida Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists' Sunshine State Awards.
The Sunshine State Awards recognize quality journalism in Florida, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands for the calendar year of 2018. Out-of-state journalists judge all entries.
At a ceremony celebrated at C&I Studios in Fort Lauderdale on July 20, WLRN was recognized in three special categories: Luis Hernandez was honored as Anchor of the Year, Teresa Frontado was a finalist for Editor of the Year and the whole WLRN News staff was awarded best Radio Newscast.
WLRN News was also awarded prizes in the following categories:
First place:
Radio Best Newscast - News Staff, WLRN Covers The Marjory Stoneman Douglas School Shooting
Feature Reporting - Alexander Gonzalez, This Is Epic: Florida High School Creates A Musical About Publix Founder George Jenkins
Online Breaking News - Staff, WLRN: The Marjory Stoneman Douglas Shooting
Podcast - Staff, Vote Already!
Second place:
General Coverage - Staff, WLRN: The Marjory Stoneman Douglas Shooting
Investigative Reporting - Jessica Bakeman, When A Hurricane Closes Schools, No Work Means No Pay For Thousands Of Hourly Workers
Feature Reporting - Tim Padgett, Caribbean Christmas Classic: Black Cake A Piquant Feature Of South Florida Holidays
Public Affairs - WJCT and WLRN – Melissa Ross, Tom Hudson, Florida Roundup: Florida Faces Hotter Days, Stronger Hurricanes And Storm Surges
Social Media Package - Staff, King Tide Gives South Florida A Taste Of Life Underwater
Editorial Writing - South Florida Sun Sentinel, Palm Beach Post, Miami Herald & WLRN – Staff, The Invading Sea: Can South Florida be saved?
Third place:
Public Affairs - Luis Hernandez, Chris Remington & Alejandra Martinez, Meet Three Residents Helping Rebuild The Florida Keys One Year After Hurricane Irma
Finalists:
Excellence in Disaster Coverage - Staff, WLRN Covers the Parkland Shooting
Student:
Best News Photo - Leslie Ovalle, West Boca High School Students Walk Out Of School To Protest Gun Violence
You can check out the complete list of winners here.
