WBFO has won the Outstanding News Operation award from the New York State Associated Press Association for the seventh year in a row. The station earned that award because it won more first and second place awards than any other mid-market radio station in the state.
While the top honor is specific to stations of similar size, WBFO also recieved more awards than any radio station in New York State, including New York City.
“We couldn’t be more proud of the WBFO team for the incredible work they do to bring trusted and insightful reporting to our community every day. The New York State AP awards really underscore the value of our efforts,” said Dave Debo, WBFO News Director.
The station earned four first place awards and five second place awards. In the documentary category, two of WBFO's Racial Equity Projectseries were honored- taking both first and second place in that category.
Here's a list of the stories that were honored:
First Place:
Continuing Coverage: WBFO, "Buffalo’s Bishop Malone and the Clergy Abuse Scandal"
Documentary: Thomas O'Neil-White and Brigid Jaipaul-Valenza, WBFO, "The Working Poor"
Sports Coverage: Michael Mroziak, WBFO, "Marathon Hockey Game Puts Cancer on Ice"
Use of Sound: Jay Moran, WBFO, "County Fair Focuses on Agriculture Over Artifice"
Second Place:
Investigative & Watchdog Reporting: Nick Lippa, WBFO, "Music Inequity in Buffalo’s Public Schools”
Enterprise Reporting: Tom Dinki, WBFO, "Despite Celebrated Law, Nursing Home Abuse Going Unreported"
Feature Story: Chris Caya, WBFO, "English Lessons a Perk for These Refugee Workers"
Documentary: Kyle S. Mackie, Thomas O'Neil-White and Brigid Jaipaul-Valenza, WBFO, "The School-to-Prison Pipeline"
Sports Feature: Michael Mroziak, WBFO, "Reporter Laces Up Skates for Marathon Hockey Game"
Earlier this year, Moran's story on the Wyoming County Fair, and Mroziak's sports reporting - along with WBFO's election coverage- also garnered similar first place honors from from the NYS Broadcasters Association.