May 21, 2003

Contact: J. Schafer, Kansas Public Radio, (785) 864-2246.

Kansas Public Radio news department snares 7 broadcasting awards

LAWRENCE -- Election night 2002 became an award-winning night for the Kansas Public Radio news department at the University of Kansas.

KPR earned a first-place award from the Kansas-Missouri Associated Press in the Small Market Spot News/Live Event category for its election-night coverage during the May 10 AP awards ceremony in Kansas City, Mo. The contest judges called the coverage "consistent, thoughtful news and analysis" and concluded, "good job by the whole team." That team had Peter Hancock, KPR statehouse bureau chief, and Laura Lorson, "Morning Edition" host, reporting; former KPR statehouse reporter Nick Haines as analyst; and KPR news director J. Schafer as anchor.

"Our election-night coverage is truly a group effort," Schafer said. "I've always been proud of that team effort on election night, but it's gratifying to know the Associated Press thinks we've got a pretty good team in place too."

In all, the KPR news staff won seven AP awards.

KPR swept the entire Spot News/Live Event category. In addition to the award for election coverage, KPR earned a second-place award for live coverage of Gov. Bill Graves' final State of the State address. Schafer anchored the broadcast, with Hancock reporting and Lorson producing. KPR also picked up two honorable-mention awards for stories on legislative redistricting and a gubernatorial debate at the Kansas State Fair.

In Small Market Best Newscast Category, Lorson captured second place for a Sept. 24 newscast she anchored during "Morning Edition." The judges cited Lorson for her pleasant delivery, strong content and variety.

"I am absolutely thrilled to be recognized by the Associated Press for our morning newscasts," Lorson said. "The AP has set a high standard for quality and accuracy, and I'm proud to represent KPR in this annual competition. Being acknowledged by the AP just makes the KPR news department even more determined to maintain its high journalistic standards and work toward the establishment of even better news coverage."

Second place in Small Market Enterprise Reporting went to KPR for "Teens for Safe Driving," a feature in the weekly children's health series "Kansas Kids: A Prescription for Change." The feature was reported by Bryan Thompson and edited by Lorson and Schafer. The judges called it "a tremendous job of reporting ... well-researched, well-written ... we were captivated from start to finish."

Honorable mention in Small Market Enterprise reporting also was awarded to KPR's feature "Forgotten Teens," reported by Thompson and edited by Lorson and Schafer.

"It's been enormously gratifying to have the resources and freedom to produce a series on children's health and well-being," Thompson said. "It's always rewarding to be recognized by the Associated Press. Of course, the series would not be possible without the generous support provided by the Kansas Health Foundation and the Sunflower Foundation, so I'd like to offer my deepest thanks to them."