Newsroom Awards

WGLT’s newsroom is staffed with award-winning journalists.

Public Media Journalists Association (PMJA)

A national awards competition.

2022

Second Place, Division B, Digital Writing, No, the expiring Uptown TIF and Rivian tax breaks won't solve Unit 5's financial problems
Second Place, Division B, Newscast, Charlie Schlenker
First Place, Division B, Photojournalism, "Leah Marlene Concert"

2021

Second Place, Division B, News/Public Affairs Program, WGLT’s Sound Ideas
Second Place, Division B, Photojournalism, “Jelani Day Demonstration”

2020

First Place, Division B, Use of Sound, “911 Calls Show COVID Outbreak Unfolding in Real Time”
First Place, Division B, Audience Engagement Program, “Living Black in Bloomington-Normal”

2019

First Place, Division B, Enterprise/Investigative, “Unit 5 HR Director Faced Harassment Allegations Before Resignation”
First Place, Division B, Best Newscast

Public Radio News Directors Inc. (now PMJA)

2015 - Medium Newsroom Division, Long Documentary, First Place, “Police and Race in the Twin Cities”
2013 - Division C, Breaking News, First Place, “NCHS School Shooting.”
2005 - Division B, Best Newscast, First Place, “5:30 p.m. News.”
1993 - Division B, Feature, Second Place, Mike McCurdy, “Graffiti Artist.”

Crystal Mic Awards - Illinois News Broadcasters Association

This statewide awards contest launched in 2021.

2023

Best Station
Best Digital Presence
Best Reporter – Lyndsay Jones
Best Newscast – Charlie Schlenker
Investigative Report – Ryan Denham
Use of Sound – Charlie Schlenker
Writing (Second Place) - Ryan Denham

2022

Best Newscast – Charlie Schlenker
Best Reporter (Second Place) – Lyndsay Jones

2021

Best Newscast – Charlie Schlenker

Murrow Awards - Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA)

The RTDNA’s Edward R. Murrow Awards are presented to regional winners who then become eligible for national Murrow awards. The list below are Regional Murrow Awards, unless otherwise noted.

2023

Digital

2022

Continuing Coverage, “Jelani Day’s Disappearance”'

2020

Hard News, “Failing Rica: B-N Girl’s Death Exposes Holes in State Child Protection System”
Investigative Reporting, “Unit 5 HR Director Faced Harassment Allegations Before Resignation”

2015

NATIONAL - Investigative Reporting, “Police and Race in the Twin Cities,” Judith Valente, Jon Norton, Willis Kern
NATIONAL - News Series, “Police and Race in the Twin Cities,” Judith Valente, Jon Norton, Willis Kern
Overall Excellence, WGLT News
Audio Investigative Reporting, “Police and Race in the Twin Cities”

2014

Best Feature, “Central Illinois Drive-Ins Face Digital Future,” Daniel Hajek
Best Writer, “Fugate Woods in Wintertime,” Judith Valente
Writing, “Unknown Illinois Series”

2013

Best Breaking News
Best Feature, “Two Blokes and a Bus,” Daniel Hajek
Best News Series,” Farming: A Growing Concern,” Charlie Schlenker, Daniel Hajek, Laura Kennedy, Jim Browne, Willis Kern
Audio News Series, “Farming: A Growing Concern”
Best Sports, “Central Illinois Speed Skater,” Charlie Schlenker

2012

Best Writing, Charlie Schlenker
Best News Series, “Since 9/11,” Jim Browne, Willis Kern, Laura Kennedy, Charlie Schlenker

2011

Best News Series, “Shifting Gears,” Jim Browne, Willis Kern, Laura Kennedy, Charlie Schlenker
Best Feature, “Grape Stomp,” Laura Kennedy
Best Writing, Charlie Schlenker
Best Use of Sound, “Library Habitat,” Charlie Schlenker
Best Sports, “Harvest at the Corn Crib,” Willis Kern

2010

Best Sports, “The Corn Crib,” Willis Kern
Best Audio Feature Reporting, “Starlings,” Laura Kennedy
Best Writing, Charlie Schlenker

2009

Best Sports, “Long Driver”, Charlie Schlenker
Best News Series, “Voices of Poverty,” Jim Browne, Willis Kern, Charlie Schlenker
Best Writing, Charlie Schlenker
Best Hard News Feature, “Fighting Foreclosure,” Willis Kern

2008

NATIONAL - Best Writing, Charlie Schlenker
Best Writing, Charlie Schlenker

2007

Best Sports Report, “Competitive Barbecue,” Charlie Schlenker

2006

NATIONAL - Best Writing, Charlie Schlenker
Best Writing, Charlie Schlenker
Best Hard News Feature, “Hotel Workers Protest,” Willis Kern
Best Newscast, “5:30 News, 03/28/05”

2005

NATIONAL - Best Sports Report, “Skateboard Freedom,” Charlie Schlenker
Best Sports Report, “Skateboard Freedom,” Charlie Schlenker
Best Writing, Charlie Schlenker

RTDNA’s Kaleidoscope Award

This RTDNA national award honors news organizations who show an ongoing commitment to covering issues of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and gender identity.

2015 - Small Market Radio Division – For reporting on cultural diversity

Illinois State University

2019 - American Democracy Project Civic Engagement Award, in recognition of contributions to civic engagement.

2017-18 - #RedbirdProud Social Media Awards, Most Innovative Use of Social Media

2015 - Dean of Students Office, Commitment to Diversity Awards, Outstanding Established Program.

Illinois Associated Press Broadcasters (AP)

This statewide contest was discontinued after the 2019 awards.

1994

FIRST PLACE, BEST FEATURE, “GRAFFITI ARTIST”, PRESENTED TO MIKE MCCURDY

FIRST PLACE, BEST MINI-SERIES OR DOCUMENTARY, “YOU CAN GET THERE FROM HERE: TWIN CITIES TRASPORTATION”, PRESENTED TO MIKE MCCURDY AND WILLIS KERN

1995

SECOND PLACE, BEST SPORTS REPORT, “COLLEGE GENDER EQUITY”, PRESENTED TO WILLIS KERN

FIRST PLACE, BEST SPORTS REPORT, “BASEBALL STRIKE AND THE MINOR LEAGUES”, PRESENTED TO WILLIS KERN

1996

FIRST PLACE, BEST SPORTS REPORT, “SOFTBALL: THE WORLD COMES TO NORMAL”, PRESENTED TO WILLIS KERN

FIRST PLACE, BEST FEATURE, “THE HIDDEN ROUTE 66”, PRESENTED TO MIKE MCCURDY

1997

SECOND PLACE, BEST NEWSCAST, PRESENTED TO WILLIS KERN

1998

SECOND PLACE, BEST NEWSCAST, “WGTL 5:30 NEWS”, PRESENTED TO WILLIS KERN, CHARLIE SCHLENKER, GREG WATSON, THOM JOYCE

1999

SECOND PLACE, BEST REPORTER, PRESENTED TO CHARLIE SCHLENKER

FIRST PLACE, BEST FEATURE, “MEET THE HEATERSONS”, PRESENTED TO MIKE MCCRUDY

SECOND PLACE, BEST EDITORIAL OR COMMENTARY, “BUFFY STAKES THE CASE FOR GUN CONTROL”, PRESENTED TO LANE CROTHERS

SECOND PLACE, BEST SPORTS REPORT, “COACH RETIRES”, PRESENTED TO WILLIS KERN

FIRST PLACE, BEST SPORTS REPORT, “OLYMPIC ARCHERY”, PRESENTED TO CHARLIE SCHLENKER

FIRST PLACE, BEST NEWSWRITER, PRESENTED TO CHARLIE SCHLENKER

FIRST PLACE, BEST REPORTER, PRESENTED TO CHARLIE SCHLENKER

2001

PLACE, BEST NEWSCAST, “NOON NEWS, APRIL 10, 2001”, PRESENTED TO CHARLIE SCHLENKER, WILLIS KERN, AND JIM BROWNE

SECOND PLACE, BEST NEWSWRITER, PRESENTED TO CHARLIE SCHLENKER

SECOND PLACE, BEST SPORTS REPORT, “IT’S CRICKET IN NORMAL”, PRESENTED TO CHARLIE SCHLENKER

FIRST PLACE, BEST SERIES OR DOCUMENTARY, “HIGH SPEED RAIL: IS EVERYONE ALL ABOARD?”, PRESENTED TO CHARLIE SCHLENKER AND WILLIS KERN

FIRST PLACE, BEST INVESTIGATIVE REPORT, “ISU SWEATSHOP USE”, PRESENTED TO CHARLIE SCHLENKER

2002

FIRST PLACE, BEST NEWSWRITER, PRESENTED TO CHARLIE SCHLENKER

FIRST PLACE, BEST REPORTER, PRESENTED TO CHARLIE SCHLENKER

FIRST PLACE, BEST INVESTIGATIVE REPORT, “STATE FARM AND WENDY GRAMM”, PRESENTED TO CHARLIE SCHLENKER

FIRST PLACE, BEST SPORTS REPORT, “THE TAO OF YO-YO”, PRESENTED TO CHARLIE SCHLENKER

2003

SECOND PLACE, BEST SPORTS REPORT, “TITLE IX”, PRESENTED TO WILLIS KERN

SECOND PLACE, BEST NEWSWRITER, PRESENTED TO WILLIS KERN

SECOND PLACE, BEST REPORTER, PRESENTED TO CHARLIE SCHLENKER

FIRST PLACE, BEST FEATURE, “READY FOR WAR…ART”, PRESENTED TO CHARLIE SCHLENKER

FIRST PLACE, BEST NEWSWRITER, PRESENTED TO CHARLIE SCHLENKER

FIRST PLACE, BEST REPORTER, PRESENTED TO WILLIS KERN

2004

SECOND PLACE, BEST INVESTIGATIVE SERIES, “THE NUCLEAR DECOMMISSIONING GAME”, PRESENTED TO CHARLIE SCHLENKER

SECOND PLACE, BEST NEWSCAST, “3:53 NEWS”, PRESENTED TO WILLIS KERN, CHARLIE SCHLENKER, JIM BROWNE

FIRST PLACE, BEST NEWSWRITER, PRESENTED TO CHARLIE SCHLENKER

FIRST PLACE, BEST REPORTER, PRESENTED TO CHARLIE SCHLENKER

FIRST PLACE, BEST SPORTS REPORT, “SKATEBOARD FREEDOM”, PRESENTED TO CHARLIER SCHLENKER

2005

FIRST PLACE, BEST NEWSCAST, “5:30 NEWS, 03/28/05”, PRESENTED TO WILLIS KERN, JIM BROWNE, CHARLIER SCHLENKER

FIRST PLACE, BEST INVESTIGATIVE SERIES, “TASER REDUX”, PRESENTED TO CHARLIE SCHLENKER

FIRST PLACE, BEST HARD NEWS FEATURE, “HOTEL WORKERS PROTEST”, PRESENTED TO WILLIS KERN

FIRST PLACE, BEST USE OF SOUND, “BLADES AND BOLDNESS”, PRESENTED TO CHARLIE SCHLENKER

2006

FIRST PLACE, BEST NEWSWRITER, PRESENTED TO CHARLIER SCHLENKER

FIRST PLACE, BEST SPORTS REPORT, “COMPETITIVE BARBECUE”, PRESENTED TO CHARLIER SCHLENKER

FIRST PLACE, BEST HARD NEWS FEATURE, “HOTEL MARCH”, PRESENTED TO WILLIS KERN

2007

SECOND PLACE, OUTSTANDING NEWS OPERATION, “WGLT NEWS,” PRESENTED TO WILLIS KERN, CHARLIE SCHLENKER, JIM BROWNE

SECOND PLACE, BEST NEWSWRITER, PRESENTED TO WILLIS KERN

FIRST PLACE, BEST NEWSWRITER, PRESENTED TO CHARLIE SCHLENKER

FIRST PLACE, BEST NEWSCAST, “3:54 pm NEWS, JANUARY 22,2007,” PRESENTED TO WILLIS KERN, CHARLIE SCHLENKER, JIM BROWNE

FIRST PLACE, BEST REPORTER, PRESENTED TO WILLIS KERN

2008

SECOND PLACE, BEST HARD NEWS FEATURE, PRESENTED TO CHARLIE SCHLENKER

SECOND PLACE, OUTSTANDING NEWS OPERATION, PRESENTED TO WILLIS KERN, CHARLIE SCHLENKER, JIM BROWNE, LAURA KENNEDY, MIKE MCCURDY

SECOND PLACE, BEST LIGHT FEATURE, “VINTAGE BASEBALL,” PRESENTED TO LAURA KENNEDY

SECOND PLACE, BEST NEWSWRITER, PRESENTED TO WILLIS KERN

FIRST PLACE, BEST USE OF SOUND, “LONG DRIVER,” PRESENTED TO CHARLIE SCHLENKER

FIRST PLACE, BEST SPORTS REPORT, “TREVOR SWIMS FAST,” PRESENTED TO CHARLIE SCHLENKER

FIRST PLACE, BEST SPOT NEWS, “PONTIAC FLOODING,” PRESENTED TO CHARLIE SCHLENKER

FIRST PLACE, BEST INVESTIGATIVE REPORT, “MCLEAN COUNTY HOME FORECLOSURES,” PRESENTED TO CHARLIE SCHLENKER

FIRST PLACE, BEST REPORTER, PRESENTED TO WILLIS KERN

2009

SECOND PLACE, BEST LIGHT FEATURE, “STARLINGS,” PRESENTED TO LAURA KENNEDY

SECOND PLACE, BEST SPORTS REPORT, “IRISH DANCING COMPETITION,” PRESENTED TO CHARLIE SCHLENKER

SECOND PLACE, BEST NEWSWRITER, PRESENTED TO WILLIS KERN

FIRST PLACE, BEST NEWSWRITER, PRESENTED TO CHARLIE SCHLENKER

FIRST PLACE, BEST SPORTS REPORT, “THE CORN CRIB,” PRESENTED TO WILLIS KERN

FIRST PLACE, BEST NEWSRITER, PRESENTED TO CHARLIE SCHLENKER

FIRST PLACE, BEST REPORTER, PRESENTED TO WILLIS KERN

2010

SECOND PLACE, BEST LIGHT FEATURE, “GRAPE STOMP,” PRESENTED TO LAURA KENNEDY

SECOND PLACE, BEST SPORTS, “MIRACLE LEAGUE,” PRESENTED TO CHARLIE SCHLENKER

FIRST PLACE, BEST SPORTS, “CORN CRIB DEBUT,” PRESENTED TO WILLIS KERN

FIRST PLACE, BEST NEWSWRITER, PRESENTED TO CHARLIE SCHLENKER

FIRST PLACE, BEST REPORTER, PRESENTED TO CHARLIE SCHLENKER

FIRST PLACE, BEST SERIES/DOCUMENTARY, “SHIFTING GEARS”, PRESENTED TO WILLIS KERN, CHARLIE SCHLENKER, JIM BROWNE, LAURA KENNEDY

2011

SECOND PLACE, BEST NEWRITER, PRESENTED TO CHARLIE SCHLENKER

SECOND PLACE, BEST SERIES OF DOCUMENTARY, “SINCE 911,” PRESENTED TO JIM BROWNE, LAURA KENNEDY, WILLIS KERN, CHARLIE SCHLENKER

SECOND PLACE, OUTSTANDING NEWS OPERATIONS, PRESENTED TO WILLIS KERN, CHARLIE SCHLENKER, JIM BROWNE, LAURA KENNEDY, MIKE MCCURDY

FIRST PLACE, BEST USE OF SOUND, “VETERANS POSTCARD,” PRESENTED TO CHARLIE SCHLENKER

2012

SECOND PLACE, BEST NEWSCAST

SECOND PLACE, BEST HARD NEWS FEATURE, “FRACKING: ECONOMY OR ENVIRONMENT?” PRESENTED TO WILLIS KERN

SECOND PLACE, BEST SPOT NEWS

SECOND PLACE, BEST REPORTER, PRESENTED TO WILLIS KERN

FIRST PLACE, BEST NEWS SERIES, “FARMING: A GROWING CONCERN,” PRESENTED TO CHARLIE SCHLENKER, JIM BROWNE, WILLIS KERN, LAURA KENNEDY, DANIEL HAJEK

FIRST PLACE, BEST REPORTER, PRESENTED TO CHARLIE SCHLENKER

FIRST PLACE, OUTSTANDING NEWS OPERATION, PRESENTED TO WGLT-FM STAFF

2013

SECOND PLACE, BEST NEWSCAST, “WGLT 5:30 P.M. NEWS 5/2/12,” PRESENTED TO WILLIS KERN, CHARLIE SCHLENKER, JIM BROWN

SECOND PLACE, BEST USE OF SOUND, “HIKING IN ‘UPTOWN NORMAL,’” PRESENTED TO JUDY VALENTE

SECOND PLACE, BEST LIGHT FEATURE, “CENTRAL ILLINOIS DRIVE-INS FACE DIGITAL FUTURE,” PRESENTED TO DANIEL HAJEK

SECOND PLACE, BEST NEWSWRITER, PRESENTED TO JUDY VALENTE

FIRST PLACE, BEST NEWSWRITER, PRESENTED TO DANIEL HAJEK

2014

SECOND PLACE, BEST USE OF SOUND, “MIGRATING BIRDS IN MCLEAN COUNTY,” PRESENTED TO JUDITH VALENTE

SECOND PLACE, BEST INVESTIGATIVE REPORT, “POLICE AND RACE IN THE TWIN CITIES,” PRESENTED TO JUDITH VALENETE, JON NORTON, WILLIS KERN

SECOND PLACE, BEST HARD NEWS FEATURE, “ALLEGED ABUSE AT CHICAGO CHRISTIAN COMMUNE,” PRESENTED TO JUDITH VALENTE

FIRST PLACE, BEST SPORTS REPORT, “CENTRAL ILLINOIS GETS READY FOR THE WORLD CUP,” PRESENTED TO CHARLIE SCHLENKER

FIRST PLACE, BEST SERIES OR DOCUMENTARY, “POLICE AND RACE IN THE TWIN CITIES,” PRESENTED TO JUDITH VALENTE, JON NORTON, WILLIS KERN

FIRST PLACE, BEST NEWSWRITER, PRESENTED TO JUDITH VALENTE

FIRST PLACE, OUTSTANDING NEWS OPERATION

FIRST PLACE, BEST SERIES OR DOCUMENTARY, “POLICE AND RACE IN THE TWIN CITIES”, PRESENTED TO JUDITH VALENTE, JON NORTON, WILLIS KERN.

FIRST PLACE, OUTSTANDING NEWS OPERATION, PRESENTED TO WGLT-FM

2015

FIRST PLACE, BEST NEWSCAST, PRESENTED TO WGLT-FM CHARLIE SCHLENKER.

FIRST PLACE, BEST NEWSCAST, PRESENTED TO CHARLIE SCHLENKER

FIRST PLACE, BEST USE OF SOUND, “RACIAL TENSION MEETING,” PRESENTED TO JUDY VALENTE

FIRST PLACE, BEST INVESTIGATIVE REPORT, “EX CON PRIEST,” PRESENTED TO JUDY VALENTE

SECOND PLACE, BEST SERIES OR DOCUMENTARY, “UNKOWN ILLINOIS,” PRESENTED TO JUDY VALENTE

FIRST PLACE, BEST SERIES OR DOCUMENTARY, “SHATTERING TRANSGENDER STEREOTYPES: PERSONAL STORIES OF TRANSITION,” PRESENTED TO JUDY VALENTE

2016

SECOND PLACE, BEST USE OF SOUND, “PEORIA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH GETS JAZZY,” PRESENTED TO JUDITH VALENTE

FIRST PLACE, BEST INVESTIGATIVE REPORT, “HOW’S THE WATER?” PRESENTED TO JUDITH VALENTE

2017

PLACE, BEST DIGITAL PRESENCE, PRESENTED TO WGLT-FM.

SECOND PLACE, BEST REPORTER, PRESENTED TO JUDY VALENTE

FIRST PLACE, BEST REPORTER, PRESENTED TO RYAN DENHAM

FIRST PLACE, BEST LIGHT FEATURE, PRESENTED TO JON NORTON

2018

FIRST PLACE, BEST INVESTIGATIVE REPORT, PRESENTED TO RYAN DENHAM AND MARY CULLEN

FIRST PLACE, BEST REPORTER, PRESENTED TO RYAN DENHAM

OUTSTANDING NEWS OPERATION

SECOND PLACE, BEST SERIES OR DOCUMENTARY, “SKIPPING SCHOOL: ILLINOIS’ TEACHER SHORTAGE”

SECOND PLACE, BEST NEWSCAST, PRESENTED TO CHARLIER SCHLENKER.

SECOND PLACE, BEST SPORTS REPORT, “FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS OUT: FOOTBALL’S UNCERTAIN FUTURE”

SECOND PLACE, BEST DIGITIAL PRESENCE.

2019

FIRST PLACE, BEST REPORTER, PRESENTED TO RYAN DENHAM.

FIRST PLACE, BEST DIGITAL PRESENCE.

FIRST PLACE, BEST SERIES OR DOCUMENTARY, “DOWN ON THE FARM,” PRESENTED TO ERIC STOCK, RYAN DENHAM, AND DANA VOLLMER.

OUTSTANDING NEWS OPERATION.

HARD NEWS FEATURE and INVESTIGATIVE REPORT, SECOND PLACE, “FAILING RICA,” PRESENTED TO RYAN DENHAM AND EDITH BRADY-LUNNY.

BEST SERIES OR DOCUMENTARY, “FINES AND FEES SYSTEM FAIL THE DISADVANTAGED,” PRESENTED TO MARY CULLEN.

BEST NEWSCAST, SECOND PLACE.

The Blues Foundation

2017 - Keeping the Blues Alive, awarded to WGLT and Illinois State University

United Press International Broadcast Awards

1980 - Best Feature, Honorable Mention, “Shakespeare Festival”

1980 - Best Sports, First Place, “Sports Medicine”

1983 - Best Feature, Second Place

1997 - Best Feature, First Place Central Region, Charlie Schlenker, “Cemetery Memories”

1997 - Reporting: Individual Achievement, First Place Central Region, Charlie Schlenker

1998 - Reporting: Individual Achievement, Second Place Central Region, Charlie Schlenker

1998 – National - Best Feature, First Place, Mike McCurdy, “Meet the Heatersons”

1998 – National - Best Newscast, First Place