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LAWRENCE -- Kansas Public Radio Statehouse Bureau Chief Peter Hancock recently accepted an award for his reporting on the politics of water usage in western Kansas.
The Association of Capitol Reporters and Editors honored Hancock for excellence in state government coverage. Hancock earned second place in the category of radio public service/in-depth reporting for a story he did in August 2001 about depletion of the Ogallala Aquifer in western Kansas.
The report examined the struggle between farmers, ranchers, municipalities and environmentalists over access to and usage of water from the massive -- and rapidly depleting -- underground aquifer.
"It's a tremendously important story about the economy of western Kansas and the future of agriculture in that region," Hancock said. "It's a problem that could affect this state for generations to come if solutions aren't found soon."
Hancock's story was broadcast by the National Public Radio daily news program Morning Edition.
"We're extremely pleased that Peter's reporting has been recognized by this national organization," said J. Schafer, KPR news director. "Our statehouse bureau has a long tradition of providing award-winning news coverage, and Peter is doing a great job keeping that tradition alive."
The award was presented Aug. 3 at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. ACRE is a journalism organization dedicated to supporting coverage of state government throughout the nation. It has members in more than 40 states.
Kansas Public Radio is the only radio news organization to maintain a full-time reporter at the Statehouse. KPR news covers local and state stories and produces the award-winning weekly series "Kansas Kids: A Prescription for Change." The series examines health issues and the public policies that affect children in the state.
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