Oak Brook, IL – The Tri States Public Radio news department picked up a half-dozen awards during an annual awards banquet and ceremony.
Morning Edition host Alex Degman received First Place in the "Best Hard News Feature" category of the Illinois Associated Press Broadcasters Association contest. He was honored for the story Wet Fields, Busy Businesses. It explains how last fall's wet conditions impacted agriculture-related businesses.
News Director Rich Egger earned Second Place in the "Best Use of Sound" category of the AP contest for his feature Horns in the Heartland. The story is about the International Horn Symposium, which was held in Macomb last summer.
Student reporter Nick Wilkens received Second Place in AP's "Best Investigative Series" category for The Mystery Ingredients. In the story, Wilkens examined the contents of typical energy drinks.
Student reporter Joseph Wagener received three awards in the SINBA (Students of the Illinois News Broadcasters Association) contest.
Wagener received First Place for "Outstanding Radio News Reporting." The entry included a package of his stories. This is the fourth consecutive year that a Tri States Public Radio student reporter has won the award.
Wagener was also honored with Second Place awards in the "Outstanding Radio Newscast" and "Outstanding Use of Sound" categories.