2025 Finalists | Radio Television Dig

2025 RTDNAC Winners

Below are the winners for the 2025 awards. The winners and runner-ups were named during an awards luncheon on Nov. 8, 2025, at the Charlotte Motor Speedway.

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Best Newscast

First Place: ABC11 Eyewitness News 6pm Newscast 9/27/2024 - WTVD
Second Place: Helene hits WNC 6pm news - WLOS

Breaking News

First Place: Highway Shooting Suspect Captured, WRAL
Second Place: It's that Mountaineer Spirit - WLOS, Justin Berger, Matthew Yates

Community Impact

First Place: Overhauling North Carolina's Foster Care System - WRAL, Cristin Severance, Chris Lovingood, Dwayne Myers
Second Place: Hurricane Awareness, WJZY Queen City News

Consumer/Economic

First Place: Carolina Impact/Drone Grown - WTVI PBS Charlotte, Jeff Sonier, Marcellus Jones, Doug Stacker, Tim Vaughan
Second Place: Bad Repairman on the Run - WJZY Queen City News, Morgan Frances

Education

First Place: Chronicle: State of Education - WYFF 4, John Hendon, Jennifer Mihalic, Jane Robelot, Jenni Williams
Second Place: Carolina Impact / Teacher Housing - WTVI PBS Charlotte, Jeff Sonier, Max Arnall

Entertainment

First Place: Greazy Does It, The Greazy Keys Story - WTVI PBS Charlotte, Chris Clark
Second Place: Who is that man on the radio? - WSOC, Joe Bruno, DeVan Killingsworth-Wells

General News

First Place: Teacher Fired After WRAL Investigation - WRAL, Keely Arthur, Jamie Munden, Keith Baker
Second Place: GiGi Was a Hero: Honoring the "Six Triple Eight" - WGHP-TV, Natalie Wilson, Joshua Nagy

General News by Multimedia Journalist

First Place: Strings, Sweat & Second Chances - WTVI PBS Charlotte, Chris Clark
Second Place: Floating, Fighting, Found: Surviving Helene - WXII, Chris Petersen

Hard News Feature

First Place: Capture of Dylann Roof - WBTV, Kelsey Graeter, John Carter, Alex Laitala
Second Place: Restringing Hope in Appalachia - WGHP, Madison, Forsey Mckenzie Lewis

Health/Medicine

First Place: Skylar's Historic Ride - WIS, Greg Adaline, John Blashke
Second Place: My Grandmother's Story - WJZY Queen City News, Julian Sadur

Investigative

First Place: Councilman's Criminal History - WJZY Queen City News, Jody Barr
Second Place: WIS Investigates: Price of Pursuit - WIS, Cynthia Beasley, Russ Congdon, Maggie Brown, Matt Dreyer

Light Feature

First Place: Calendar Girls - WJZY Queen City News, Maureen Wurtz, Mak Kruse
Second Place: Hot Springs Reopens - FOX Carolina, Kari Beal, Cody Summerlin

Long-Form Interview

First Place: The Black Vote in 2025 - WJZY Queen City News
Second Place: The Ag Commissioner - WGHP-TV, Bob Buckley

News Special

First Place: Black History in the Carolinas: A Legacy of Courage - WSOC-TV
Second Place: Charleston Church Shooting: 10 Years Later - WBTV, Kayla Berenson, Jamie Boll, Dedrick Russell, Kym Anderson

News Website

First Place: WRAL
Second Place: WBTV - Cassidy Johncox, Luke Tucker, Connor Lomis, Brandy Beard

Original Digital Video

First Place: On the trail: Battleground North Carolina - Spectrum News 1, Reuben Jones
Second Place: WXII 12 News Digital Exclusive: In The Fast Lane - WXII 12 News, Serra Sowers, Jeff Amernick, Carrie Hodgin

Original Web Reporting

First Place: Threat Under the Floor - FOX Carolina, Amanda Shaw
Second Place: What has happened in the 2 years since Moore County - FOX8 WGHP, Emily Mikkelsen

Outstanding News Operation

First Place: WRAL
Second Place: WYFF News 4

Photography

First Place: Do You See Us Now? - WJZY Queen City News, Jack Anderson
Second Place: WNC Damaged Trails Reopening - Spectrum News 1, Tony Watts

Podcast

First Place: Behind The Lens: Covering Hurricanes- WJZY Queen City News
Second Place: Covering Hurricane Helene - WRAL, Grace Holland

Political/Election

First Place: FOX Carolina Debates
Second Place: A Representative's Recovery - Spectrum News 1, Tim Boyum, John Stampf

Series

First Place: Zoo Filez - WGHP, Jeff Kilduff, Shannon Smith Priddy
Second Place: 6 months since Hurricane Helene - WYFF News 4, Josh Murphy, Isabelle Marak

Social Reform

First Place: The Problems at Holly Hill - WRAL, Heidi Kirk, Sarah Krueger, Carly Haynes, Randall Kerr
Second Place: Roger Floyd Remembers George Floyd 5 Years Later - Spectrum News 1, Sydney McCoy, Mark Barger

Special Report

First Place: Crossing Borders: Immigration and Division in NC - WRAL, Cristin Severance, Dwayne Myers
Second Place: Helene Hits the Carolinas - WSOC-TV

Sports Reporting

First Place: Skating Life - WTVI PBS Charlotte, Chris Clark
Second Place: More Cowbell - WJZY Queen City News, Maureen Wurtz, Jenna Pinto

Sports Special

First Place: Road To Victory - WTVD
Second Place: Chaos at the Clash - WGHP-TV, Chaos at the Clash, Timmy Hawks, Kevin Connolly, Danny Harnden, Chris Weaver
Second Place: Chronicle: Saturdays in the South - WYFF 4, John Hendon, Jennifer Mihalic, Jane Robelot, Jenni Williams

Use of Social Media

First Place: Helene in the High Country - WRAL, Chris Michaels
Second Place: WXII 12 News Best Social Media: Breaking Helene - WXII 12 News, Carrie Hodgin, Chris Petersen, Lindsay Clein, Kenny Beck

Use of Technology

First Place: AI and Politics - Spectrum News 1, Tim Boyum, John Stampf
Second Place: Inside Poe Hall: The Chemicals & where they were found - WRAL, Keely Arthur, Kara Lysle, Shan Zhong

Breaking News

First Place: Saturday Morning Winter Weather Coverage -WPTF, Tony Riggsbee, Jon Champion

Consumer/Economic

First Place: Charlotte Latino business owners see fewer customers - WFAE, Julian Berger
Second Place: It's not too late for New Hanover County property owner - WHQR Public Media, Kelly Kenoyer

Community Impact

First Place: Scorched Workers North Carolina Public Radio - WUNC, Aaron Sanchez-Guerra, Celeste Gracia, Eli Chen, Elizabeth Baier
Second Place: Wendell Faces Growth - Jon Champion

Health and Medicine

First Place: Dog Flu Season - WPTF, Bruce Ferrell

Investigative

First Place: Novant NHRMC investigation - WHQR Public Media, Benjamin Schachtman

Special Report

First Place: Remembering Jimmy Carter - WPTF

General News

First Place: In storm-stricken mountains, VA has to make house calls - WUNC North Carolina Public Radio, Jay Price, Adam Hochberg
Second Place: Hurricane Helene: Before, During and After - WPTF

Light Feature

First Place: Dogs have their day at Huntersville sheepdog trials - WFAE - Nick de la Canal
Second Place: Ackland Art Museum Welcomes Local Color-Blind Residents - 97.9 The Hill (WCHL) - Brighton McConnell

Long-Form Interview

First Place: Why We’re ‘Outraged’ and Finding Common Ground - 97.9 The Hill (WCHL), Aaron Keck
Second Place: Reflections on Malcolm X debate in Durham on 100th - WFAE, Gwendolyn Glenn

Hard News Feature

First Place: UNC Charlotte students design bridges for Hurricane Helene - WFAE, Zachary Turner, Stella Mackler
Second Place: Missing since World War II, the remains of a sailor - WUNC North Carolina Public Radio, Jay Price, Adam Hochberg

Sports

First Place: Losing by 500 points, football team never gives up - WFAE, James Farrell
Second Place: Coverage of Mexico vs Turkey soccer game in NC - WUNC, Aaron Sánchez-Guerra

Education

First Place: Can North Carolina move the needle on literacy scores? - WFAE, James Farrell
Second Place: Why most NC school districts are losing students - North Carolina Public Radio WUNC, Liz Schlemmer, Liz Baier

Entertainment

First Place: John Tosco: How Beatles music made the man - WFAE, Nick de la Canal

Radio News Block

First Place: The Morning News: Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow - 97.9 The Hill (WCHL), Aaron Keck, Michael Koh, Andrew Stuckey
Second Place: The WPTF Evening News with Gayle Hurd, May 29, 2025 - WPTF, Gayle Hurd, Bruce Ferrell, Charles Hadley, Jeff Hamlin, Brandon Wright

Social Reform

First Place: New Bern honors 1905 lynching victim - Public Radio East - Taylor Holbrooks
Second Place: Homelessness grows in the Charlotte region - WFAE

Series

First Place: 2 student activists reflect on pro-Palestinian protests - North Carolina Public Radio - WUNC, Brianna Atkinson

Political/Election

First Place: Election Night, 2024 - NCN News
Second Place: Why are Brunswick County GOP incumbents skipping candidate debates? - WHQR Public Media, Nikolai Mather

Podcast

First Place: Exploring 3 Chambers and what it means to be a Blerd - WHQR Public Media, Aaleah McConnell
Second Place: Ehlers-Danlos Across Generations - North Carolina Public Radio WUNC

Outstanding News Operation

First Place: FM 92.9, AM 680 WPTF
Second Place: WHQR

Best Newscast

First Place: WECT News at 6:00 - WECT
Second Place: Snow on the Beach - WMBF

Breaking News

First Place: Sullivans Island Manhunt - WCBD
Second Place: Sullivan's Hit and Run/Manhunt - WCSC, Justin Kollar, Caitlin Ashbaugh, PJ Williams

Community Impact

First Place: Inside The Storm: Start 2 Finish - WCBD, Rob Fowler, Mike Trowbridge, Jed Christoph, Grace Lowe, Brant Beckman
Second Place: Lionfish, legends, and the Julionfish festival - WCSC, Justin Kollar, Connor Kelley

Consumer/Economic

First Place: Watching Your Wallet - WMBF, Rachel Bogle, Derek Harrision
Second Place: Camping World - WCSC Live 5 News, Emily Johnson, Michael Allison

Education

First Place: Constituent Board Controversy - WCSC, Emily Johnson, Caitlin Ashbaugh, Michael Allison
Second Place: Chronic Absenteeism - WCTI, Abby Bradshaw, David Carta

Entertainment

First Place: Local musician joins Luke Combs at Concert - WNCT, Olivia Wolfson
Second Place: One Night to Fright - WECT, Ava Brendgord, Ryan Koresko

General News

First Place: North Charleston Corruption Allegations - WCSC, Emily Johnson, Michael Allison, Ann McGill, Caroline Spikes, Tiana Maxwell
Second Place: Outrunning Fear - WMBF, Ale Espinosa, George Hansen

General News by Multimedia Journalist

First Place: International Fight for Justice - WPDE ABC15, Simon Williams
Second Place: Surviving the 100 deadliest days of the year - WECT, Jacee Caldwell

Hard News Feature

First Place: Jesse's Law - WNCT-TV, Erin Jenkins, Kenneth "Tree" Roundtree
Second Place: Edisto River Flooding- WTAT-TV Fox 24, Bill Burr, Sam Griswold

Health/Medicine

First Place: Behind Closed Doors: Riverside Health & Rehab - WCSC, Katie Kamin, Michael Allison
Second Place: Lowcountry woman finds purpose in her fertility journey - WCIV, Mel Orlins, Brian Heins

Investigative

First Place: Roofing Company Leaves Customers Out Thousands - WCSC, Michal Higdon, Michael Allison
Second Place: Modern Rust - WMBF, Makayla Evans, Anya Carney, George Hansen

Light Feature

First Place: Kindred Spirit Mailbox - WECT, Bill Murray
Second Place: Shoot Like a Girl - WMBF, Rachel Bogle, George Hansen

Long-Form Interview

First Place: One on One with 2-time US Open Champion - WNCT, Brian Bailey, Kenneth "TREE" Roundtree

News Special

First Place: Amazing Grace: Remembering the Emanuel Nine - WCSC, Thomas Gruel, Raphael James, Ann McGill, Sam Griswold
Second Place: The Prehistoric Palmetto State - WPDE ABC15, Joshua Davis, Michael Hutchinson, Jordan Brotherton

News Website

First Place: Live 5 News WCSC - Patrick Phillips, Marissa Thompson, Colt Yeargin, PJ Williams, Zachary Bordner
Second Place: WECT

Original Digital Video

First Place: Shootin' the Breeze - WECT, Gannon Medwick, Gabe Ross, Brian Bruneau
Second Place: Community Conversations: Sheriff Chip Hughes - WCTI

Original Web Reporting

Judges declined to select award winners in this category. Note: Some entries were disqualified due to being over the 10 minute requirement.

Outstanding News Operation

First Place: WECT
Second Place: WCSC Live 5 News

Photography

First Place: A Flute Choir Christmas - WMBF, George Hansen
Second Place: History of the Magnificent Dunes - WPDE ABC15, Andrew James, Joshua Davis, Jordan Brotherton

Podcast

First Place: 1 on 1 with Jon Evans - WECT, Jon Evans
Second Place: The Unofficial Nobody's Angel Fancast - WECT, Scott Pachilis

Political/Election

First Place: Live 5 News: Your Voice, Your Choice - WCSC, Nick Reagan, Sam Yaw
Second Place: Election 2024 high profile North Carolina race coverage - WITN, Dave Jordan, Brandon Hardison, Mark Windham

Series

First Place: This is Carolina - WMBF, Loren Korn, George Hansen
Second Place: Sickle Cell Disease Awareness - WCBD News 2, Carolyn Murray

Social Reform

First Place: Social Reform: Hate Crimes - WCSC, Justin Kollar, Michael Allison
Second Place: Social Reform: Court backlog - WCSC, Emily Johnson, Michael Allison, Katie Kamin

Special Report

First Place: Hate in South Carolina - WMBF, Anya Carney, Makayla Evans, George Hansen, Hunter Boenau, Dana Tilley

Sports Reporting

First Place: Saguto Golf Creates Crispy Golf Shots - WMBF, Teagan Brown, George Hansen
Second Place: Sandy Dreams - WMBF, Ashley Boles, George Hansen

Sports Special

First Place: 2024 Military Bowl Preview - WNCT, Brian Bailey, Zach Kaplan, Ken Watlington
Second Place: Classic Countdown - WMBF, Teagan Brown, Mary-Margaret Ellison, Kyle Moreton, George Hansen

Use of Social Media

No entries this year

Use of Technology

First Place: Kingfisher Inn - WPDE ABC15, Andrew James, Jordan Brotherton
Second Place: Historic Carolina Snow - WMBF, Jamie Arnold, Andrew Dockery, Jenna Greenhill, Matt Bullock, George Hansen

AP Freedom of Information Award

First Place: WRAL- Years-long fight for public records about Durham DA
Second Place: WBTV - Shattered Trust

Margaret Murchison News Director of the Year

Kevin Daniels, WGHP

Radio Reporter of the Year

First Place: WHQR - Rachel Keith

TV News Anchor of the Year (TV I)

First Place: WJZY Queen City News – Alicia Barnes
Second Place: Spectrum 1 - Justin Quesinberry

TV News Anchor of the Year (TV II)

First Place: WMBF - Rachel Bogle
Second Place: WNCT - Ken Watlington

TV News Anchor Team of the Year (TV I)

First Place: WSOC-TV - Erica & Scott: Covering the Carolinas
Second Place: Spectrum News 1 morning anchor team

TV News Anchor Team of the Year (TV II)

First Place: WCSC - Shelbey Roberts and Katie Kamin
Second Place: WMBF - Eric Weisfeld and Rachel Bogle

TV News Investigative Reporter of the Year (TV I)

First Place: WRAL – Sarah Krueger
Second Place: WSOC– Joe Bruno

TV News Investigative Reporter of the Year (TV II)

First Place: WCSC - Emily Johnson

TV News Multimedia Journalist of the Year (TV I)

First Place: WTVI PBS Charlotte - Chris Clark
Second Place: Spectrum News 1 - Sydney McCoy
Second Place: WSOC-TV - Dave Faherty

TV News Multimedia Journalist of the Year (TV II)

First Place: WECT - Jacee Caldwell
Second Place: WCTI-TV - Andrew McClung

TV News Photographer of the Year (TV I)

First Place: WLOS - Steve Wilder
Second Place: WJZY Queen City News - Jack Anderson

TV News Photographer of the Year (TV II)

First Place: WMBF - George Hansen
Second Place: WNCT - Kenneth "TREE" Roundtree

TV News Producer of the Year (TV I)

First Place: FOX Carolina - Olivia Thomas
Second Place: FOX Carolina - Kayla Patterson

TV News Producer of the Year (TV II)

First Place: WMBF - Emily Shiroff

TV News Reporter of the Year (TV I)

First Place: WYFF News - Peyton Furtado
Second Place: Spectrum News 1 Sydney McCoy

TV News Reporter of the Year (TV II)

First Place: WNCT-TV 9 On Your Side Davis Suppes

TV Special Projects Producer (TV I)

First Place: FOX Carolina - Catie Bussmann
Second Place: WYFF 4 - Jenni Williams

TV Special Projects Producer (TV II)

First Place: WNCT-TV - Ken Watlington
Second Place: WCSC - Thomas Gruel

TV Sportscaster of the Year (TV I)

First Place: WSPA-TV- Todd Summers
Second Place: WNCN CBS 17 - Chris Clark

TV Sportscaster of the Year (TV II)

First Place: WNCT-TV - Brian Bailey
Second Place: WECT- Connor Smith

TV Weathercaster of the Year (TV I)

First Place: WJZY Queen City News - Ted Phaeton
Second Place: FOX Carolina - Kendra Kent

TV Weathercaster of the Year (TV II)

First Place: WNCT - Jerry Jackson
Second Place: WMBF - Jamie Arnold

Radio Division

Best Student Feature Reporting (Radio)

First Place: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Pittsboro’s annual “Death Faire”

Best Student News Reporting (Radio)

First Place: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Local demand for contraceptive services spikes

Best Student Sportscast (Radio)

First Place: North Carolina Central University, The Big MeeZ & Big K Sportscast, Jade Marshall, Mikayla Whitaker

Ken White Best Student Newscast (Radio)

First Place: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Carolina Connection, Feb. 1, 2025

TV Division

Best Student Multimedia Report (TV)

First Place: University of South Carolina, Pulling a Firetruck for Kids with Cancer, Calleen Soper, Jack Bradshaw, Rachel Hull
Second Place: Elon University, Burlington Recreation & Parks sees delay in building of pickleball courts, Anjolina Fantaroni

Best Student Sports Story (TV)

First Place: North Carolina Central University, Hoops and Heart, Kennedy Jones, Julia Washington, Haylee Sanders, D’Anthony Boutwell
Second Place: University of South Carolina, SC Sports Betting, Matt Frank

Best Student Feature Reporting (TV)

First Place: University of South Carolina, USC students prepare for a fiery tradition, Bridget Bruchalski
Second Place: University of South Carolina, Milo the Koala: On a Mission, Chloe Castain

Best Student News Brief (TV)

First Place: MCSN - Meredith College Student News, MCSN March 27, 2025
Second Place: North Carolina Central University, Central News - 0425 Jeremiah Bush, Sarah Affiah, Jonathan Backstrom, Story Hawthorne, Jay'Lynn Harrison

Best Student Photography (TV)

First Place: University of South Carolina, South Carolina State Fair Pig Races, Chloe Castain

Best Student News Reporting (TV)

First Place: University of South Carolina, SC among deadliest states for motorcycle crashes, Bridget Bruchalski
Second Place: University of South Carolina, Trade School Surge, Zane Heinlein

Best Student Sportscast (TV)

First Place: University of South Carolina, Carolina News Sportscast: October 29, 2024, Courtney Hollmon

Best Student News Producing (TV)

First Place: Elon University, ENN Tonight | Full Broadcast | March 3, 2025, Fiona McAllister
Second Place: University of South Carolina, Carolina News: December 5, 2024, Zane Heinlein

Best Student TV Weathercast (TV)

First Place: University of South Carolina, Carolina News Weathercast: October 30, 2024, Isabella Davis
Second Place: Elon University, ENN Tonight Snow Storm Outlook, Mackenzie Cruz

Haney Howell Student Journalist of the Year

First Place: University of South Carolina, Bridget Bruchalski

Ken White Best Student Newscast (TV)

First Place: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Carolina Week: Life After Helene: Climbing the Mountain
Second Place: Elon University, ENN Tonight May 5, 2025, Fiona McAllister

2025 RTDNAC Winners

Radio Television Digital News Association of the Carolinas