PRNDI Awards
KLCC Awards from PRNDI
2012
KLCC won 3 awards at the Public Radio News Directors Inc (PRNDI)Conference in Cleveland on June 22, 2013. The contest covers work produced in 2012. KLCC is judged in Division C: Small News Staff. KLCC news won awards for the following entries:
1st Place - Soft Feature - Eugene Native Looks to Represent the US in Racewalking at the Olympics, by Jes Burns
2nd Place - Best Use of Sound - Some Duck Fans Bring More Than Just the Typical Tailgate Gear, by Jes Burns
2nd Place - Best Writing - Eugene Woman Awaits Double Transplant, by Tiffany Eckert
2011
KLCC won 5 awards at the Public Radio News Directors Inc (PRNDI)Conference in Houston TX on June 30, 2012. The contest covers work produced in 2011. KLCC is judged in Division C: Small News Staff. KLCC news won awards for the following entries:
1st Place - Commentary, by Jonathan Siegle: "Eugene's Funniest Person Dies"
Judge's comments: Riveting. Gave us chills. Somehow was charming, tragic, sad and funny all in a very short time period. It tells a difficult story extremely well, and does the near-impossible by being heartfelt without being overly sentimental. It made us want to learn more about the man who was being memorialized, and we commend the commentator for this excellent work.
1st Place - Spot News, by Jes Burns: "State Plans Herbicide Testing on Triangle Lake Residents"
Judge's comments: Good writing. Delivered well. Nice choice of sound bite.
1st Place - Breaking News, by Rachael McDonald: "City Council Tells Occupy Eugene to Leave"
2nd Place - Spot News
, by Rachael McDonald: "Occupiers Clean up Camp"2nd Place - Writing, by Jes Burns: "McKenzie River Drift Boat via Grand Canyon"
2010
KLCC won 7 awards at the Public Radio News Directors Inc (PRNDI)Conference in Washington D.C. on June 25, 2011. The contest covers work produced in 2010. KLCC is judged in Division C: Small News Staff. KLCC news won awards for the following entries:
1st Place Best Multi-Media Presentation:
Bonus Slide Show: Saving the Ancona Duck, by Jes Burns
Judge's Comments: Food and agriculture series serves up enterprise reporting and uses audio slideshows to add value for the web user.
2nd Place Best Use of Sound:
Special Issues: Saving the Ancona Duck, by Jes Burns
1st Place Best Writing:
Special Issues: Saving the Ancona Duck, by Jes Burns
Judge's Comments: Basic but smart writing conveys story in a meaningful and captivating way. The writing really shared some nice elements of this effort to save a heritage quacker, and I enjoyed it.
1st Place Interview:
The Crying Tree, by Rachael McDonald
Judge's Comments: Death is a touchy subject, executions even more so. The interviewer was respectful of the topic and the author's point of view. She read the book, which allowed for great insight. The questions are well worded. This interview made us want to read the novel, which says a lot.
2nd Place News Feature:
Living With War At Home: Oregon Veterans - Help Wanted, by Angela Kellner
Judge's Comments: Several interviews outlining the obstacles, struggles and benefits of being a returning vet, conversational delivery, easy to follow writing. Tells the whole story with two returning soldiers, employer, yellow ribbon team vet. Very strong topic with all the players.
1st Place Soft Feature:
Garden Brings Community Together, by Rachael McDonald
Judge's Comments: What a great story about people being bettered by helping and working with others as well as the earth. Great diversity and story progression in four minutes ten seconds. It moved along nicely. It was well written and the audio levels and editing were consistent. Hooray for Rachel McDonald's application of PRPD Core Values! This story was the clear stand out in this field.
1sr Place Spot News:
Job Fair For Oregon Veterans Draws About 400 Soldiers, by Angela Kellner
Judge's Comments: The first cut in this story set it apart: the statement of similarity between being on active duty and being a police officer was a new insight. The host intro (often the toughest thing to write) also nicely tied this event to a news item. Good pacing and good selection of actualities.
2009
KLCC won 5 awards at the June 2010, PRNDIconference in Louisville KY. The contest covers work produced in 2009. KLCC is judged in Division C: Small News Staff. KLCC News won awards for the following entries:
Newscast - First Place: Newscast 1/28/09
Writing - First Place: Superhero Exhibit
Call-In Program - First Place: Field Burning
Multi-Media Presentation - First Place: Inquiry-Based Education
Commentary - Second Place: Sotomayor
2008
KLCC won 7 awards at the July 13, 2009, PRNDIconference in Portland, OR. The contest covers work produced in 2008. KLCC News won awards for the following entries:
Call-In Program, Second Place: Gay Rights
Commentary, Second Place: Legalize Drugs
News/Public Affairs, Second Place: Northwest Passage 9/18/08
Newscast, Second Place: Newscast of 1/23/08
Series, First Place: Downtowns
Series, Second Place: The Economy
Feature Story, FirstPlace:Neighborhood Impact of Regional Medical Center
2007
KLCC won 7 awards at the July 19, 2008, PRNDIconference in Washington, D.C. The contest covers work produced in 2007. KLCC News won awards for the following entries:
Call-In Program, First Place: Sunday at Noon - Pakistan
Commentary, First Place: Father Memoir
Call-In Program, Second Place: Mouse House
News/Public Affairs, First Place: Northwest Passage 2/8/07
Newscast, First Place: Northwest Passage
Soft Feature, Second Place: Suburban Renewal
Spot News, First Place:Nike Scoreboard
2006
KLCC won three first place awards at the Public Radio News Directors Conference held in New Orleans in July, 2007. The contest covered work produced in 2006.
First Place Best Newscast: Northwest Passge, 3/15/06, Hosted by Tripp Sommer
First Place Best News Feature: "Soldiers Funeral Procession" by Mike Van Meter.
Judge's Comments: It was nice to find this at nearly the bottom of a stack of 18 entries. The report included effective use of natural sound and comments from people along procession route. The tone of the reporter's voice successfully reflected the subject. The potential for protestors to attend was handled properly - mentioned, but not dwelled upon since they didn't show up.
First Place Best Call-In Program: "Immigration" on Sunday at Noon 6/4/06, hosted by Claude Offenbacher.
Judge's Comments: This program is brilliant at the basics. It provides the facts the listener needs to know in clear context that never becomes tedious. Questions concerning what matters for Eugene and Oregon are frequently addressed. Guests and callers inject the right doses of perspective to keep the discussion in the real world.
2005
KLCC won a first place award at the Public Radio News Directors Conference held in July, 2006. The contest covered work produced in 2005.
INTERVIEW - 1st Place: KLCC, Jarel Sapjenza - Handwriting Analysis. Interview by Tripp Sommer
Judges comments: "This was a fascinating topic made even more interesting by a lively and fun interview subject. After hearing the interview each of us checked whether we wrote the number seven in a way that indicated a lack of honesty. It was memorable, and maybe a bit troubling for some of us! "
The PRNDI awards are the only national awards to recognize local public radio news. KLCC is judged in Division C: Small News Staff. KLCC News Director Tripp Sommer was President of PRNDI for six years.
2004
KLCC won four awards at the Public Radio News Directors Conference, held in Chicago July 14-16, 2005. KLCC News Director Tripp Sommer attended the conference and accepted the awards on behalf of the radio station. The contest covered work produced in 2004.
NEWS/PUBLIC AFFAIRS PROGRAM - 1ST PLACE: KLCC, Northwest Passage
Judges' comments: "Strong half-hour news magazine format with a great mix of stories. Pleasant sounding host who keeps the show moving. Excellent mix of spot news while taking a look at the light side. Program shows command of covering news in the Eugene area. Good radio."
SPOT NEWS - 1st Place: KLCC, Guard
Judges' comments: "This story accomplishes a lot in a short amount of time. The sound is strong and adds a lot to the story, and the sound bite is excellent."
INTERVIEW - 2nd Place: KLCC, Bobby Seale, Early Days of the Black Panthers
Judges' comments: "We get the opportunity to experience the high energy of Bobby Seale in this straight-forward interview. Seale is a fast-talking, enjoyable storyteller. The interviewer wisely hangs back and allows us to feel what its like being in his presence. The stories of the founding of the Black Panthers are fascinating and casual."
NEWSCAST - 2nd Place: KLCC, 11/2/2004
The PRNDI awards are the only national awards to recognize local public radio news. KLCC is judged in Division C: Small News Staff. KLCC News Director Tripp Sommer was President of PRNDI for six years. He is currently writing the history of the organization, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.
2002
Public Radio News Directors Inc. (PRNDI) honored KLCC 89.7 FM with a first place award at their annual convention held in Montreal in July 2003. KLCC is judged in Division C: Small News Staff. The KLCC News Department consists of a full-time News Director, four part-time producer/hosts, and twelve volunteer reporters. KLCC has won major awards from PRNDI for the past fourteen years.
NEWS/PUBLIC AFFAIRS PROGRAM - 1ST PLACE: Northwest Passage
Judges' comments: "The program is well-written, comprehensive, a model for regional public affairs programming. It is serious where need be, breezy where appropriate."
2001
Public Radio News Directors Inc. (PRNDI) honored KLCC 89.7 FM with four awards at their annual convention in Washington D.C. in July 2002. KLCC is judged in Division C: Small News Staff. The KLCC News Department consists of a full-time News Director, four part-time producer/hosts, and twelve volunteer reporters. KLCC has won major awards from PRNDI for the past thirteen years.
DAILY PROGRAM - 1ST PLACE: Northwest Passage 3/22/01
Host Tripp Sommer, Co-Host Amy Terebesi
Judges' comments: "Nice pacing, and a great rapport between anchors. Solid use of tape."
NEWSCAST - 2ND PLACE: Northwest Passage 3/22/01
INTERVIEW - 2ND PLACE: "Skinhead" by Alan Siporin
Judges' comments: "A perspective not usually heard."
SERIES - 2ND Place: "Critical Mass: Energy Deregulation"
KLCC's Special Issues Series, Produced by Alan Siporin.
Featuring KLCC Reporters Monika Hausmann, Rachael McDonald, Bing Bingham, Nicole Hill, and Naseem Rakha.
Judges' comments: "Nice use of local reporters, who are very good, with plenty of sound and voice. Polished production sound. A very thorough exploration of the topic. Good host; brief, but strongly presented."
DOCUMENTARY - 2nd Place: "Critical Mass: Transportation"
KLCC's Special Issues Series, Produced by Alan Siporin.
Featuring KLCC Reporters Jenny Newtson, Monika Hausmann, Ester Bentz, Mark Immel, and Bing Bingham.
Judges' comments: "A comprehensive look at the debates about the modes of transporation available to Eugene-area commuters."
HARD FEATURE - 2nd Place: "Freedom Road" by Claude Offenbacher
2000
Public Radio News Directors Inc. (PRNDI) honored KLCC 89.7 FM with four awards at their annual convention in Washington D.C. in July 2001. KLCC is judged in Division C: Small News Staff.
SERIES - 1ST PLACE: "Poor Choices"
Judges' comments: An ambitious and engaging series about welfare reform. A thorough and enlightening treatment of the topic. This series was a very well produced and thoughtfully planned series of stories. Interviews and focus group discussions. An impressive array of elements and voices. Good writing. Nice use of music. Very accessible, high impact series."
Note: "Poor Choices" was funded by a grant from the Wayne Morse Center for Law & Politics, awarded to KLCC reporters Alan Siporin and Nancy Solomon.
DAILY PROGRAM - 2ND PLACE: Northwest Passage
Judges' comments: "There was a breath of coverage. The easy announcing style was appealing. Very tight writing. The entire show was journalistically solid and easy to listen to."
INTERVIEW/CALL-IN PROGRAM - 2ND PLACE: Critical Mass
Judges' comments: "High production values and an interesting topic choice. The show developed a little too slowly. Once the show actually got to the day's topic the program became compelling."
INTERVIEW - 2ND PLACE: "Sandy Tolan: Me and Hank"
Judges' comments: "Interviewer Tripp Sommer created a comfortable setting in which his subject’s passion was allowed to flow. A nicely structured interview. Simple and succinct; a natural conversation that was easy to listen to."
1999
Public Radio News Directors Inc. (PRNDI) honored KLCC 89.7 FM with two awards at their annual convention in Washington D.C. on July 29, 2000.
BEST DAILY PROGRAM - 1ST PLACE: Northwest Passage
BEST WEEKLY PROGRAM - 2ND PLACE: Critical Mass
The Northwest Passage award was given for the November 3, 1999 program. The judges said, "Multiple entries of this program show a commitment to consistent excellence, but live coverage [by KLCC reporter Nancy Solomon] of the Kip Kinkel sentencing put this one over the top. This small staff should be applauded for such a wonderful daily effort." Northwest Passage is hosted by KLCC News Director Tripp Sommer.
Critical Mass was given the award for a show airing during the KLCC Special Issues series on "The Nineties." Judges comments include: "The show gave a good overview of issues affecting them over this decade. Listeners got an opportunity to react to them. Personable host when phone calls came in." Critical Mass is hosted by Alan Siporin.
1998
KLCC won eleven awards at this year's Public Radio News Directors Inc (PRNDI) conference in Boston -- the most awards ever given to a single station at any PRNDI conference. This is the only national contest recognizing outstanding public radio news reporting at local stations. The contest covered work produced in 1998. KLCC is judged in Division C, Small News Staff. Congrats to our award-winning News Department!
BEST DAILY NEWSCAST - 1st place - Northwest Passage with Hosts Tripp Sommer and Nancy Solomon
BEST DAILY PROGRAM - 2nd place - Northwest Passage with hosts, Tripp Sommer and Nancy Solomon
BEST WEEKLY PROGRAM - 1st place - Critical Mass "Sierra Club Immigration "Debate" by Alan Siporin
BEST COMMENTARY / ESSAY - 2nd place - "The 'V' Proposal" by Alan Siporin
BEST INTERVIEW - 1st Place - "Missing Justice" by Alan Siporin
BEST INTERVIEW / CALL-IN - 1st place - "Thurston Tragedy" hosted by Alan Siporin with assistance from Tripp Sommer and Nancy Solomon
BEST INTERVIEW / CALL-IN - 2nd place - Critical Mass "Women in Prison" hosted by AlanSiporin
BEST SOFT FEATURE - 2nd place - "Booker" by Tripp Sommer
BEST HARD FEATURE - "Putting Desire Back into Sex Education" by Nancy Solomon
BEST SERIES / DOCUMENTARY - 1st place - "Police" by KLCC's Special Issues Unit, produced and edited by Alan Siporin with reports by Elena Zlatnik, Nancy Solomon, Monika Hausmann, Steve Helwig, Bing Bingham and Jocelyn Warren
BEST SERIES / DOCUMENTARY - 2nd place - "Schools" by KLCC's Special Issues Unit, produced and edited by Alan Siporin with reports by Elena Zlatnik, Monika Hausmann, Jocelyn Warren and Morgan Smith
1997
Public Radio News Directors Inc (PRNDI) has announced their National Awards for 1997. KLCC won three 1st place awards and one 2nd place award. Judges comments are included. Congrats to our News Department!
BEST INTERVIEW
1st. Alan Siporin, KLCC, "Harry Wu"
"Enlightening discussion and examination of a different culture; fascinating and engrossing."
COMMENTARY / ESSAY
1st. Alan Siporin, KLCC, "Princess Di"
"Direct, powerful statement of opinion; thought-provoking and sobering."
2nd. Alan Siporin, KLCC, "Tree Protest"
"Balanced, yet strong analysis of a controversial event, with good word imagery."
DAILY PROGRAM
1st. KLCC, "Northwest Passage" (May 9, 1997)
"Good mix of spot and feature coverage, wide variety and range of topics, from the humorous to the serious."
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