Work by WPR reporters, hosts, editors, producers and staff are regularly recognized by our journalism and broadcasting colleagues. Find links to award-winning WPR stories and programs from 2023 below.
Excellence in Journalism Awards – Milwaukee Press Club
Best Short Hard Feature Story – Audio
Gold – “Flood control dams in Driftless Area failed after catastrophic rain. Some residents say a new approach is needed.” (Hope Kirwan)
Best Short Soft Feature Story – Audio
Gold – “‘I can express myself here’: Girls Rock Camp Madison builds community through music.” (Gaby Vinick)
Best Short Hard Feature Story – Digital
Gold – “The number of older people behind bars is skyrocketing in Wisconsin and across the country.” (Sarah Lehr)
Best Short Soft Feature Story – Digital
Gold – “Part of their world: Wisconsin’s ‘Mermaid Echo’ explains the tough work of performing with a tail” (Jonah Belekis)
Best Series Reporting – Audio
Silver – “Home is Here” (Wisconsin Public Radio and The NEW News Lab)
Best Investigative Story or Series – Digital
Silver – “Wisconsin GOP official Gerard Randall questioned over no-bid contracts from Milwaukee Public Schools” (Corrinne Hess)
Best Sports Story – Digital
Bronze – “Wisconsin saw the nation’s steepest decline in football participation. Now some schools are getting creative” (Corrinne Hess)
Awards for Excellence – Wisconsin Broadcasters Association
Medium Market Radio News and Talk
Best Radio Show
1st Place “Route 51: Afghan Refugee Update, One Year Later” (Shereen Siewert, Ezra Wall)
3rd Place “Simply Superior: The Naked Truth About Boys’ Swimming In School, And Rachael Kilgour’s Tribute To Her Dad” (Robin Washington)
Best Sports Play-by-Play
2nd Place “UW-Superior Men’s Hockey vs. St. Scholastica”
Regional Edward R. Murrow Awards – Radio Television Digital News Association
Excellence in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
“Home is Here” (Wisconsin Life and the NEW News Lab)
Investigative Reporting
“State Reviewing Milwaukee Business’s Suspicious Use of COVID Relief Funds” (Corrinne Hess)
News Documentary
“How We Got Here: Abortion in Wisconsin since 1849 “(Wisconsin Public Radio)
Excellence in Sound
“Oldest Lionel Railroad Club Chugs Along in New Berlin” (Jane Hampden)
Sports Reporting
“Lifting Spirits and Honoring Ancestors: Snow Snake is Back on Madeline Island” (Danielle Kading)
The Ambies – The Podcast Academy
Best Knowledge, Science, or Tech Podcast
Nominee – “To the Best of Our Knowledge Presents Luminous“
