News Awards

Boise State Public Radio's news team took home 18 local and regional journalism awards this weekend.

At the annual Idaho Press Club awards banquet, we received nine 1st place honors, three 2nd place, and two 3rd place. Here are our winning entries:

The Radio Television Digital News Association has awarded Boise State Public Radio six of 13 regional Edward R. Murrow Awards.

Boise State Public Radio news director Sadie Babits was elated upon seeing the news. “I couldn't be more proud of our journalists,” said Babits. “They've worked incredibly hard over the past year to bring quality radio and digital content to our audience and these awards are well deserved."

As we roared downstream through the River of No Return Wilderness via jet boat, skipping off rapids and dodging just-submerged boulders, I decided my imaginary movie version of this adventure should be titled Indiana Appleseed in the Canyon of Lost Treasure. Naturally it would be packed with whitewater action, pioneer spirit, hungry black bears and most importantly, a whole lot of strange apples. Continue Reading...

The Idaho Department of Labor estimates there are nearly 65,000 people in the state who don’t have jobs.  Tens of thousands more are either underemployed or have stopped looking for work.

Idaho is one of a handful of states where the unemployment rate has gone up since the recession officially ended in mid-2009.  Idaho’s unemployment rate climbed to its peak of 9.7 percent in early 2011, nearly two years after the recession was declared over.

1st Place - Best Feature News Story

Here’s the scene. A hiker in the Foothills finds a human bone. Police are called in. They’ll have to figure out whom the bone belongs to and if foul play was involved. You can imagine with just a bone, that’s no easy task. Many times, law enforcement use forensic dogs. On this week’s Off The Trail, Samantha Wright explains how this specialized job works.

1st Place - Best News Story

They’ve trained at the Orchard Training Area fifteen miles south of Boise. They’ve spent some time on leave, at home with family and friends, saying goodbyes. Now they’re packing up their gear. Over the next three days, the Army National Guard’s 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team will fly to Mississippi, the next stage in their deployment mission. Boise State Public Radio’s Samantha Wright caught up with some of the citizen soldiers before they left home.

1st Place - Best Spot News

It’s been just over four months since the earthquake in Haiti and just over three months since ten Baptist missionaries were detained there on child trafficking charges. Now the last of those missionaries has been reunited with her family in Idaho. Boise State Public Radio’s Adam Cotterell was at the airport when Laura Silsby arrived.

1st Place - Best Investigative Report

You may have received an official looking letter or postcard in the mail recently. The words “personal and confidential” may appear on it and it warns your auto warranty is about to expire. As Boise State Public Radio’s Scott Ki reports in part one of our story, it’s best to throw those mailers away because it’s more than likely a scam.

1st Place - Best Public Affairs

Hunger – Affects – Everyone. That’s the bold message written along a giant fence on Boise’s Main Street. The Idaho Foodbank sponsored the artwork to raise awareness. As Boise State Public Radio’s Scott Ki reports, people are getting the message and today the Foodbank is getting a welcome delivery.

3rd Place - General News Reporting

3rd Place - Spot News Reporting

1st Place - Use Of Sound

1st Place - Audio Reporting: Hard News

1st Place - Audio Feature Reporting

3rd Place - Use of Sound - Radio