The INBA is thrilled to release the winners of our second annual INBA Crystal Mic Awards. The awards will be presented at our Fall Convention in Bloomington on Saturday, Oct. 8. To register, head to our Eventbrite link. You can also book a room at the Parke Regency Hotel and Conference Center at our group rate through Sept. 16. To book now, click here.

Small Market Radio

Best Station                          

1st place               WCBU-FM, Peoria                                              

2nd place              WNIJ-FM, DeKalb

Best Newscast                     

1st place               WGLT-FM, Normal                                              

2nd place              WLBK, DeKalb

Best Reporter                      

1st place               Joe Deacon, WCBU-FM, Peoria                                        

2nd place              Lyndsay Jones, WGLT-FM, Normal

Breaking News                     

1st place               WMBD, Peoria, “BioUrja Ongoing Disaster”                                  

2nd place              WILL, Urbana, “Rare December Tornado Hits Coles County”

Best Digital Presence         

1st place               WVIK-FM, Quad-Cities

2nd place              WNIJ.org/Hola, DeKalb

Investigative Report           

1st place               WNIJ-FM, DeKalb, Peter Medlin, “Water Woes”

2nd place              WIUM-FM, Macomb, Jane Carlson, “A One Hospital Town”

Sports Report                      

1st place               WILL, Urbana, “Women’s Basketball Hires Shauna Green As Head Coach”

2nd place              WIUM-FM, Macomb, Jane Carlson, “A National Champion”

Use of Sound                       

1st place               WTAX, Springfield, “Fair Fare”

2nd place              WVIK-FM, Quad Cities, “Do You Want To Work On The Railroad?”

Best Writing                         

1st place               WTAX, Springfield, Dave Dahl

2nd place              WNIJ-FM, DeKalb, Yvonne Boose

Large Market Radio

Best Station                          

1st place                WBBM-Chicago                                   

Best Newscast                     

1st place               WBBM-Chicago                                   

2nd place              WLS-Chicago

Best Reporter                      

1st place                Lisa Fielding, WBBM, Chicago                                          

2nd place              Eric Schmid, KWMU, St. Louis

Investigative Report           

1st place                KWMU, St. Louis, “Lack Of Tornado Safe Rooms For Metro East Warehouses”

Sports Report                      

1st place                WBBM, Chicago, “Sports Report with Jeff Joniak”

Use of Sound                       

1st place                KWMU, St. Louis, “This app lets you see what Cahokia Mounds looked like 1,000 years ago”

2nd place              WBBM, Chicago, Lisa Fielding

Small Market TV

Best Station                          

1st place               WREX-TV, Rockford                                            

2nd place              WCIA-TV, Champaign

Paul Davis Best Newscast                  

1st place               WREX-TV, Rockford                                            

2nd place              WGEM-TV, Quincy

Best Reporter                      

1st place                Mike Miletich, WGEM-TV, Quincy                                    

2nd place              Shelby Kluver, WQAD-TV, Moline    

Breaking News                     

1st  place              WGEM-TV, Quincy, “Firefighters Battle Fire And Ice”

2nd place              WIFR-TV, Rockford, “Jury Finds Floyd Brown Guilty Of Second Degree Murder”

Best Digital Presence         

1st place               WREX-TV, Rockford

2nd place              WMBD-TV, Peoria

Investigative Report           

1st place               WEEK-TV, Peoria, Kyle Beachy, “Panhandling in Peoria: How A Pandemic Has Fueled A Problem”

2nd place              WAND-TV, Decatur, Deron Molen/Eric Ahola, “Transferring Trauma”

Sports Report                      

1st place               WQAD-TV, Moline, “La Panterita”

2nd place              WEEK-TV, Peoria, “All-American Hometown Hero”

Use of Video                        

1st place               WQAD-TV, Moline, “John Deere Strike”

2nd place              WMBD-TV, Peoria, “Destination Illinois: Bob & Tom Excellent Adventures”

Best Writing                         

1st place               WIFR-TV, Rockford, Mike Garrigan

2nd place              WQAD-TV, Moline, Josh Lamberty

Best Weather Operation

1st place               WGEM-TV, Quincy

2nd place              WREX-TV, Rockford

Large Market TV

Best Station                          

1st place               KSDK, St. Louis                                    

2nd place              WLS-TV, Chicago

Paul Davis Best Newscast                  

1st place               KSDK, St. Louis                                    

2nd place              WLS-TV, Chicago

Best Reporter                      

1st place                PJ Randhawa, KSDK, St. Louis                                           

2nd place              Emily Manley, KTVI, St. Louis

Breaking News                     

1st  place               WGN, Chicago, “Oak Brook Mall Shooting”                   

Best Digital Presence         

1st place               WLS-TV, Chicago

2nd place              KSDK, St. Louis

Sports Report                      

1st place               KSDK, St. Louis, “Justin Hardy Story”

2nd place              WGN, Chicago, “Ukrainian Boxers”

Use of Video                        

1st place                KSDK, St. Louis, “Stone Carver”

Best Writing                         

1st place                KSDK, St. Louis, Mike Bush

Best Weather Operation

1st place                WLS, Chicago

CLICK HERE to register. You have the option of attending the whole weekend, or just Saturday.

Small Market Radio

Large Market Radio

Small Market Television

Large Market Television

Illinois competes in Region 7, made up of radio and television stations in Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Michigan.  The awards are broken up in to “Large Market” and “Small Market.”

Broadcasters from across the state took home a total of 25 Regional Murrows, with two stations, WBBM-TV and WBBM Newsradio in Chicago, winning the top honor of Overall Excellence.

The Edward R. Murrow Awards recognize outstanding achievement in electronic journalism are among the most respected journalism honors in the world.

All 25 awards will now advance to the national competition.  Winners from that competition will be announced later this summer.

Here’s a breakdown of the awards won by stations in Illinois:

Large Market Television

Overall Excellence
WBBM-TV
WBBM, Chicago

Digital
WBBM
WBBM, Chicago

Excellence in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Beyond the Numbers: Chicago’s Deadly Disparities
WBBM, Chicago

Excellence in Innovation
Left in the Dark
WBBM, Chicago

Excellence in Writing
Edwards’ Writing Composite
WBBM, Chicago

Hard News
Eviction Protections Leaving Landlords Homeless
WBBM, Chicago

Investigative Reporting
My Name is Anjanette Young
WBBM, Chicago

Newscast
CBS 2 News at Six: My Names is Anjanette Young
WBBM, Chicago 

Large Market Radio

Overall Excellence
WBBM Newsradio
WBBM, Chicago

Digital
COVID-19 Coverage
WBEZ, Chicago

Excellence in Writing
How the Green Line, A Pink House and 12 Cents Changed How | See My City
WBEZ & City Bureau, Chicago

News Documentary
Starting College Behind
Chicago Public Media, Chicago

Newscast
WBBM Newscast
WBBM, Chicago

Podcast
Motive Season 3
WBEZ, Chicago

Small Market Television

Breaking News Coverage
Rockford protests the death of George Floyd, racial injustices
WREX, Rockford

Continuing Coverage
Belvidere Police accused of systematic abuse of power, excessive force
WREX, Rockford

Digital
Severe weather education saves lives
WREX, Rockford

Excellence in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Together We Rise: A WMBD/WYZZ Town Hall Special
WMBD/WYZZ, Peoria/Bloomington

Excellence in Video
Who killed Dalton Mesarchik?
Heart of Illinois ABC, East Peoria

Excellence in Writing
James Stratton Composite
WREX, Rockford

Hard News
Fear on 500 Webster Avenue
WREX, Rockford

Investigative Reporting
Belvidere Police accused of systematic abuse of power, excessive force
WREX, Rockford

Small Market Radio

Continuing Coverage
University of Illinois COVID-19 Testing
WILL/Illinois Public Media, Champaign-Urbana

Digital
Illinois Newsroom
WILL/Illinois Public Media, Champaign-Urbana

Hard News
No Wiggle Room
WILL/Illinois Public Media, Champaign-Urbana

WXIA, better known as “11Alive” in the local news business, is an NBC-affiliate in Atlanta, Ga., the seventh-largest market in the country. It’s known nationally for its dedication to investigative reporting.

“I’m incredibly honored to join the investigative team at 11Alive,” Crowley said. “Their unrelenting work to find justice and truth is what journalism is all about and it’s exactly what I want to be a part of.”

Crowley will also contribute to 11Alive’s award-winning, and nationally recognized, weekly program, The Reveal. The Reveal is an investigative show exposing inequality, injustice and ineptitude created by people in power throughout Georgia and across the country.

Crowley is no stranger to investigative reporting, helping launch Rockford’s only investigative reporting team back in 2018, 13 Investigates. Since that time, Crowley, her co-anchor James Stratton and investigative reporter Mary Sugden, have revealed major stories to the Rockford area.

“From exposing unfair billing practices to shedding light on police misconduct, working on these stories with our talented team at 13 WREX has truly been the opportunity of a lifetime,” Crowley said. “13 Investigates will never stop fighting for justice.”

Crowley, who has been an INBA member for several years, has received numerous awards for her investigative work, including a Regional Edward R. Murrow Award, six Illinois Silver Dome Awards and five Illinois Associated Press Awards. She has also won five Regional Emmy Awards, dozens of other statewide awards, and had her work recognized as part of
13 WREX’s National Edward R. Murrow Award in 2018.

“Kristin has helped transform the way we do news here at 13 WREX,” said News Director, Audrey Moon. “We have undertaken several significant changes to our editorial process over the years and she has been a leader in making those changes impactful and meaningful to our viewers. Her expertise and ambition will be sorely missed.”

Crowley says working at a small market television station is like working with family. A family she has grown close to and relied on for support several times over the years.

“The people I work with are more than colleagues, they’re family,” Crowley said. “Their support, and genuine care, is what makes our team so special. I will miss them more than they will ever know.”

Crowley will join 13 WREX alumnus, and Chief Investigator at 11Alive, Brendan Keefe. Keefe began his broadcast career at 13 WREX back in 1991.

“Brendan is someone I’ve admired as a journalist for years,” Crowley added. “He has helped mentor me and has challenged me to reach new heights. Our shared connection of 13 WREX just goes to show what a small world, and small business, this really is!”

Crowley’s last day on the air at 13 WREX will be Wednesday, Mar. 31.

Miletich talks about what it’s like doing stories for five stations, keeping up a social media presence, and adding substance to web stories. He also details his experience starting as a producer and working his way into his goal of being on air.

He’s on the board of the INBA and has been involved with INBA since college at ISU. He also completed the Public Affairs Reporting program at the University of Illinois Springfield. Mike was interviewed by Margaret Larkin via Zoom.

“This was a difficult decision for our Board of Directors and shareholders,” said Ralph Oakley, President and CEO of QMI in a news release.

“We have always put community service first and have served our viewers, listeners, and readers with the best in news and public service. We have taken a leadership role in trying to improve the economic development and quality of life in the places where we operate and, particularly, here in our hometown of Quincy.”

The sale of stock of the company for $925 million in cash is expected to close in the 2nd or 3rd quarter of this year, pending federal regulatory approvals.

QMI said the sale includes all of the company’s TV And radio properties which serve 16 markets. It does not include its two newspapers: the Quincy Herald-Whig and Hannibal Courier Post. They will be sold separately.

By the end of the sale, Gray TV, based in Atlanta, GA., will own TV stations serving 102 markets collectively reaching 25.4% of U.S. TV households.

A news release from QMI points out that Gray owns full power TV stations in some of Quincy’s markets. Gray will divest QMI stations in those markets to facilitate prompt regulatory approval. Those markets include:

1. Tucson, Arizona (DMA 75)
2. Madison, Wisconsin (DMA 80)
3. Harrisburg, IL/Paducah, Kentucky/Cape Girardeau, Missouri (DMA 91)
4. Cedar Rapids, Iowa (DMA 92)
5. La Crosse-Eau Claire, Wisconsin (DMA 123)
6. Wausau-Stevens Point, Wisconsin (DMA 134)

Here are the stations Gray will acquire from Quincy:

1. WPTA (ABC/NBC) and WISE (CW) in Fort Wayne, Indiana (DMA 104)
2. WEEK (NBC/ABC/CW) in Peoria, Illinois (DMA 118)
3. WREX (NBC/CW) in Rockford, Illinois (DMA 132)
4. KBJR (NBC/CBS) and KDLH (CW) in Duluth, Minnesota (DMA 136)
5. KTIV (NBC/CW) in Sioux City, Iowa (DMA 147)
6. KTTC (NBC/CW) in Rochester-Mason City, Minnesota-Iowa (DMA 156)
7. WBNG (CBS/CW) in Binghamton, New York (DMA 158) 
8. WVVA (NBC/CW) in Bluefield-Beckley, West Virginia (DMA 162)
9. WGEM (NBC/FOX/CW) in Quincy, Illinois (DMA 172)
10. WGEM AM/FM in Quincy, Illinois

“Quincy’s market leading television stations will become part of a similarly operated company with number-one television stations in 70 of its 102 markets. While the sale of QMI closes a chapter, it opens up a wonderful new one. Gray is a great company and has the same philosophy on serving the communities that we have had,” said Oakley.

According to QMI, the company’s roots date back to 1835. At the time, the Bounty Land Register was one of four newspapers in Illinois.

QMI’s website reads, “Over the next century, a number of mergers followed. The company moved into radio in 1947 and began television broadcasts in 1953. The company changed its name in recognition of the evolution beyond print and into radio, television and online digital services.”

Gray Television has not posted a public news release or statement about the purchase of Quincy Media at this time.

  For Brooks, being a journalist means being heavily involved at WIU’s News 3 during the Spring and Fall semesters, working part-time at Tri States Public Radio, and adding summer internships at WGEM-TV in Quincy and then WREX-TV in Rockford. For the most recent internship, he worked from home (in St Louis) as a web producer. 

  One of his main responsibilities was updating the latest local and state coronavirus numbers. “That task reminded me how important our job is to keep people informed with what they need to know on a daily basis.”

  The pandemic has made for challenges at school too, but Brooks says it’s pushed him to get better at digging for story ideas. One story he’s covered at Western is the selection of a new president: 
   And one thing he’s faced as a journalist is racism. “I’m in a predominantly white community, and whenever I’m covering meetings or covering police briefings, when I’m the only black person in the room, I wonder ‘Are they really telling me the truth? Or are they giving me the runaround? Or treating white reporters differently than they treat me?’ But at the same time, I’m telling myself that I can handle this. I know what my job is. I know it’s worth coming to work and getting the information out to the public.”
  Brooks credits his parents for his ability to stand up to discrimination, and his can-do attitude. They’ve been helping him aim for a career in TV news for a long time. He remembers first being attracted to microphones at about seven years old, then visiting the KTVI-TV studios and meeting the personalities. His mom would buy him books related to journalism and how to be a news reporter. He names KTVI’s Mandy Murphey and NBC’s Lester Holt as particular role models whom he’s watched and learned from.  And he also credits his faculty directors at News 3, which have included Jasmine Crighton, Emily Manley and now Jessica Martin. “I think a lot of my directors have really kept my spirits up, you know, during the time of a lot of noise that we have going on.” 

  Now he’s serving as a mentor to younger students at WIU, who sometimes have a hard time covering race issues. “I know how they feel, but at the same time I also know how important it is to not give up and to fight for what’s right. It takes time for them to see it. We have to take breaks and we have to mentor each other.”