KU News Release

Kansas Public Radio named ‘Station of the Year’ for ninth time

LAWRENCE — Chalk up another victory for Kansas Public Radio.

KPR recently was named Station of the Year in the non-commercial category by the Kansas Association of Broadcasters for the ninth time since 1996.

KPR received six first-place awards, three second-place awards and two third-place awards. KPR swept two categories. Awards will be presented during the association’s annual convention Oct. 22 at Harrah’s Prairie Band Casino in Mayetta.

“This is quite an honor — one that I know the staff has worked very hard for,” said Janet Campbell, general manager for KPR. “The variety of categories shows that we’re maintaining a high level of excellence across all facets of programming. I’m very proud of the staff.”

The awards won by KPR:

Station Promotion Announcement
First place: “Right Between the Ears,” produced by Darrell Brogdon

Public Affairs Program
First place (tie): “Kansas Health, A Prescription for Change: Renewing the Food Stamp Program,” reported by Bryan Thompson
First place (tie): “Kansas Day: A Musical Tribute on the State’s 146th Birthday” reported by J. Schafer

Complete News Feature
First place: “Last Weekend at the Kansas State Fair,” reported by J. Schafer
Second place: “Buck O’Neil’s Final Season,” reported by Greg Echlin

Complete Severe Weather Coverage
First place: “Tornado Levels Greensburg,” reported by Bryan Thompson
Second place: “Blizzards and Flooding,” reported by the KPR news team
Third place: “Eastern Kansas Flooding,” reported by J. Schafer and Laura Lorson

DJ Personality Aircheck
Second place: “Retro Cocktail Hour,” hosted by Darrell Brogdon

Editorial/Commentary
First place: “Packing Heat on the Prairie,” commentary by Tom Averill
Third place: “Declining Groundwater — A Concern for All Kansans,” commentary by Rex Buchanan

“This award is the accumulation of the efforts of the entire news and programming staffs,” said J. Schafer, news director. “It also means we'll have to keep working hard to ensure we don’t lose our edge — or lose the award next year.”

KPR, licensed to the University of Kansas, broadcasts on KANU 91.5 FM in Lawrence, KANH 89.7 FM in Emporia, KANV 91.3 FM in Olsburg-Junction City and K210CR 89.9 FM in Atchison. KPR can be heard on the Internet at kpr.ku.edu. KPR also operates KPR-2, a news-talk channel on HD Radio. Those broadcasts can be heard on a high-definition receiver or on KPR’s Web site.

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