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Newsroom Awards

WGLT’s newsroom is staffed with award-winning journalists.
GLT awards in the newsroom

Public Media Journalists Association (PMJA)

A national awards competition.

2022

2021

2020

2019

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

2022

  • Continuing Coverage, “Jelani Day’s Disappearance”'

2020

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.

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