KOSU reporters won a wide array of awards for stories on a multitude of topics, including state politics, Indigenous affairs and education.
StateImpact Oklahoma Education reporter Beth Wallis was named top ‘Radio Outstanding Reporter’ for 2023. Former KOSU Agriculture and Rural Affairs reporter Xcaret Nuñez won the first place ‘Radio Outstanding Producer’ award.
KOSU's former Indigenous Affairs reporter Allison Herrera took home a trio of first-place awards, while Director of Content and Audience Development Ryan LaCroix won the top spot for radio sports reporting.
Here is a full list of awards captured by KOSU and StateImpact Oklahoma reporters:
1st Place Awards:
- Radio Outstanding Sports Story: “Back-to-back-to-back: Oklahoma Sooners capture third straight softball championship” – Ryan LaCroix
- Radio Outstanding Extended Form News Story or Series: “Killers of the Flower Moon coverage” – Allison Herrera
- Radio Outstanding News Story: “'Of course we should be here': 'Killers of the Flower Moon' receives a 9-minute ovation at Cannes” – Allison Herrera
- Radio Outstanding Online Reporting: “FAQ: Answers to your questions about driving with tribal tags in Oklahoma” – Allison Herrera, Robby Korth
- Radio Outstanding Producer: Xcaret Nuñez
- Radio Outstanding Feature: “OU’s swatting event was a hoax, but the trauma it caused was real” – Beth Wallis
- Radio Outstanding Investigative Reporting: “‘We will strive to survive the Ryan Walters time’: Oklahoma superintendents respond to Walters’ claims, rhetoric” – Beth Wallis
- Radio Outstanding Reporter: Beth Wallis
- Radio Outstanding Use of Sound: “Oklahoma schools adapt recreational activities to sweltering summer heat” – Beth Wallis
2nd Place Awards:
- Radio Outstanding Discussion Program, Series, or Segment: “This Week in Oklahoma Politics” – Michael Cross, Ryan Kiesel, Neva Hill
- Radio Outstanding Online Reporting: “Oklahoma voters reject recreational marijuana” – Robby Korth, Xcaret Nuñez, Kateleigh Mills
- Radio Outstanding Feature: “5 years after the teacher walkouts, Oklahoma's GOP has changed its tune” – Beth Wallis
- Radio Outstanding Investigative Reporting: “Big bonuses, bigger risks: Oklahoma’s new teacher sign-on bonus program raises concern” – Beth Wallis, Jennifer Palmer (Oklahoma Watch)
- Radio Outstanding Extended Form News Story or Series: “What does it mean for Oklahoma to partner with PragerU?” – Beth Wallis
3rd Place Awards:
- Radio Outstanding Newscast: November 15 newscast – Michael Cross, Allison Herrera, Anna Pope, Robby Korth
- Radio Outstanding Reporter: Graycen Wheeler
- Radio Outstanding Editing (Audio Production): “'Killers of the Flower Moon' is shining the Hollywood spotlight on the tiny Oklahoma town of Fairfax. Here’s how they're handling it” – Allison Herrera
- Radio Outstanding Use of Sound: “'Of course we should be here': 'Killers of the Flower Moon' receives a 9-minute ovation at Cannes” – Allison Herrera
- Radio Outstanding Extended Form News Story or Series: “Justin Hooper says all he wanted was to be tried in the proper court. Will Tulsa agree?” – Max Bryan, Allison Herrera (KWGS/KOSU)
- Radio Outstanding News Story: “Oklahoma schools adapt recreational activities to sweltering summer heat” – Beth Wallis
Honorable Mention:
- Radio Outstanding Feature: “How do you find love on the farm? Dating apps, long-distance drives or maybe a reality TV show” – Xcaret Nuñez
- Radio Outstanding News Story: “Without paid family leave, teachers stockpile sick days and aim for summer babies” – Beth Wallis
KOSU has won almost 200 awards from the Oklahoma Society of Professional Journalists, Professional Chapter since 2011.
