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Contact: Janet Campbell, KANU, (785) 864-4530; Sheri Hamilton (785) 864-5968 or J. Schafer (785) 864-2246 or (785) 691-2733

State association gives Jewell award to KANU children's health reporter

LAWRENCE -- Bryan Thompson, Children's Health Reporter for public radio station KANU FM 91.5, licensed to the University of Kansas in Lawrence, has been awarded the Kansas Association of Broadcaster's Tony Jewell Award.

Thompson, the first journalist to ever receive the Tony Jewell Award, has been recognized by the KAB as an individual who has made a significant contribution to the prevention, intervention or treatment of alcohol and/or drug abuse in Kansas. Thompson is the producer of the weekly children's health series, "Kansas Kids: A Prescription for Change." The series is funded by a grant from the Kansas Health Foundation of Wichita, Kansas and is carried by nine radio stations in Kansas and Missouri. Thompson joined KANU in February of 2000 as its Children's Health Reporter. As a veteran broadcast journalist in Kansas he has brought more than 20 years experience to the position.

Since the series first hit the air in June of 2000 it has received statewide honors and national awards. This summer, KANU received a Second Place national award for Best Public Radio News Series in the country, by the prestigious Public Radio News Directors Incorporated group. In addition to the Tony Jewell Award, the KAB has awarded Thompson a first-place award for best in-depth reporting in a series for "Kansas Kids: A Prescription for Change" and he received a second-place award in the Public Affairs Program category for one of the reports in the series on youth suicide in Kansas.

A complete archive of the stories featured in the series can be heard online at www.kansaskidshealth.org. Stories featuring drug and alcohol related topics include: methamphetamine Labs in Kansas, underage drinking, huffing, and tobacco access.

The KAB will present the award to Thompson at a luncheon on Oct. 10 at the Maner Conference Center, Topeka. Thompson will also be presented with a check for $500 made payable to the alcohol/drug abuse organization of his choice.