Radio IQ’s news team named outstanding radio news operation by the Associated Press
Virginia’s Associated Press Broadcasters recognized WVTF’s Radio IQ news team with nine 2021 awards for outstanding reporting. The awards include naming the Radio IQ team “The Outstanding News Operation of the Virginias,” in competition with both commercial and public radio stations across Virginia and West Virginia. It’s the fourth consecutive year that Radio IQ has been honored as the top radio news operation in the two-state region.
In addition, WVTF/Radio IQ won first place for “Best Continuing News” for its coverage of “Richmond’s Summer of Reckoning.”
Four Radio IQ reporters also won individual awards for their reporting. Charlottesville-based Sandy Hausman garnered three awards - including First Place for Best Serious Feature for her story “Fentress Released” and Best Old Dominion Heritage story for “Professor Apple.” Hausman also won the Douglas Southall Freeman Award for her series “The COVID-19 Minute.” Luke Church won second place in Best Old Dominion Heritage story for his piece “Albert Hash.”
Radio IQ team members also won both top awards as Best Reporters in the Virginias. Richmond-based Mallory Noe-Payne won first place with Robbie Harris of Blacksburg winning second. Harris also won second place for Best Serious Feature for her story “Virginia Tech Cough Study.”
In their comments, the Associated Press judges noted Radio IQ’s “strong on-location reporting, good use of sound, vivid storytelling, and clear writing” and applauded Radio IQ reporters for “telling human stories well."
"I'm really proud that every member of the Radio IQ news team played a part in the work honored here," said News Director David Seidel. "It really demonstrates their dedication, consistency, high standards, and storytelling."
The Virginia’s AP Awards mark the second wave of recognition the Radio IQ news team has received in recent months. Earlier this year, the team won seven regional Edward R. Murrow Awards, and Hausman won a national Murrow Award for her story “Fentress Released."
WVTF / Radio IQ provides public radio programming to 200,000 listeners weekly from transmitters in 25 communities across Virginia. The station is licensed to the Virginia Tech Foundation.
