Awards
KUOW's programming has been recognized by local, regional and national journalism and broadcasting organizations. A special thanks to KUOW's financial supporters for helping to make this award-winning programming possible.
Recent Awards
PUBLIC RADIO NEWS DIRECTOR INC. (PRNDI)
SOCIETY OF PROFESSIONAL JOURNALISTS
Sports Audio Reporting
Winner — "This 63-year-old could lift a baby elephant," by Carlin Bills, edited by Ann Kane and Carol Smith
General News Audio Reporting
Winner — "A death pushed these farmworkers to protest. Now an investigation is underway," by Liz Jones, edited by Carol Smith
Feature Audio Reporting
Winner — "Not everyone makes peace with their dad. My teacher inspired me to try," by Nate Martin, edited by Mary Heisey and Jenny Asarnow
Audio News Series
Winner — Prime(d) podcast
Runner up — Second Wave podcast
Investigative Audio Reporting
Winner — "Pregnant mom calls for help, ends up killed by police. Her tribe wants answers," by Amy Radil, edited by Gil Aegerter
Breaking News Audio Reporting
Winner — Donald Trump's travel ban, by Liz Jones, edited by Carol Smith
Runner up — Amtrak derailment, by John Ryan, Jason Pagano, Heather Bosch and Austin Jenkins
RTDNA’S REGIONAL EDWARD R. MURROW AWARDS
Breaking News Coverage
Continuing Coverage
Excellence in Sound
"The Beauty Pageant," Second Wave
Hard News
"Her miscarriage in ICE detention raises questions about care," by Liz Jones, edited by Carol Smith
ALLIANCE FOR WOMEN IN MEDIA FOUNDATION'S GRACIES
News Feature, Non-Commercial Local Radio
"Her miscarriage in ICE detention raises questions about care," by Liz Jones, edited by Carol Smith
Podcast, Interactive Media - Student
RadioActive Youth Media
2017 Awards
ASIAN AMERICAN JOURNALISTS ASSOCIATION
General Excellence Radio/Audio
Winner — "If these walls could talk," by Liz Jones, Ruby de Luna, Amina Al-Sadi, Kate Walters, Isolde Raftery, Carol Smith, Whitney Henry-Lester, edited by Carol Smith
PUBLIC RADIO NEWS DIRECTOR INC. (PRNDI)
Enterprise/Investigative
Winner — "Upon Arrival," by Liz Jones, edited by Carol Smith
Sports Feature
Winner — "Dressed like women warriors, these girls step into their heritage," by Marcie Sillman, edited by Jim Gates
Student Soft Feature
Winner — "I was homeless and my life was trash. Then this Seattle family took me in.," by April Reyes, mentored by Nina Tran, edited by Jenny Asarnow
Best Use Of Sound
Runner up — "Out of the Jungle," by Joshua McNichols and Kate Walters, edited by Carol Smith and Whitney Henry-Lester
Commentary
Runner up — "Albinism And Me: How My Genetic Condition Makes My Ethnicity Invisible," Kamna Shastri
SOCIETY OF PROFESSIONAL JOURNALISTS
General News Audio Reporting
Winner — "They lost their son and daughter to murder-suicide. Now they’re pushing for gun control," by Amy Radil, edited by Jim Gates
Runner Up — "Can the middle class lifestyle my Seattle grandparents had ever be achievable again?," by Emily Fox, edited by Carol Smith
Investigative Audio Reporting
Winner — "Out of the Jungle," by Joshua McNichols and Kate Walters, edited by Carol Smith and Whitney Henry-Lester
Runner Up — "Hollow Columns Holding Up I-5, I-405 Bridges Could Implode In Major Quake," by John Ryan, and Carolyn Adolph, edited by Carol Smith
Audio News Series
Winner — Health of the Uniform, by Patricia Murphy, edited by Adam Hochberg
Sports Audio Reporting
Winner — "Dressed like women warriors, these girls step into their heritage," by Marcie Sillman, edited by Jim Gates
Runner Up — "This is what a concussion sounds like," by Conor Gormally, edited by Lila Kitaeff and Carol Smith
Video News Series
Winner — Battle Ready: The Military’s Environmental Legacy In The Northwest, by Katie Campbell with EarthFix
RTDNA’S REGIONAL EDWARD R. MURROW AWARDS
Excellence in Innovation
Feature Reporting
"I was homeless and my life was trash. Then this Seattle family took me in.," by April Reyes, mentored by Nina Tran, edited by Jenny Asarnow
Hard News
"They Lost Their Son and Daughter to Murder-suicide. Now They’re Pushing for Gun Control," by Amy Radil, edited by Jim Gates
News Documentary
"Out of the Jungle," by Joshua McNichols and Kate Walters, edited by Carol Smith
News Series
"Upon Arrival," by Liz Jones, edited by Carol Smith
WEBBY AWARDS
Podcasts & Digital Audio —Best Writing
2016 Awards
PUBLIC RADIO NEWS DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION (PRNDI)
Feature
1st place – "Why Is There So Much Prostitution On Aurora Avenue In Seattle?," by Posey Gruener, edited by Jim Gates
Sports
1st place – "The Surprising Place Where Some Seahawks Fans Gather," by Joshua McNichols, edited by Derek Wang
Spot/Daily News
2nd place – "Guess Who's Helping Seattle Homeless Veterans? Syrian Refugees," by Liz Jones, edited by Carol Smith.
SOCIETY OF PROFESSIONAL JOURNALISTS
General News Reporting
2nd place – "In Auburn, 911 Wants To Know If You’re A Veteran," by Patricia Murphy, edited by Adam Hochberg
3rd place – "Using White Privilege To Fight Racism: A Young Activist's Dream," by Paul Kiefer, edited by Lila Kitaeff and Carol Smith
News Series
2nd place – "Seattle’s Homeless: No End in Sight," by John Ryan and Jeannie Yandel, edited by Carol Smith
Special Report
1st place – "Why This Teen Stopped Hiding Her Dad's Abuse," by Noel Gasca, edited by Lila Kitaeff and Jenny Asarnow
2nd place – "Why Is There So Much Prostitution On Aurora Avenue In Seattle?," by Posey Gruener, edited by Jim Gates
Sports Reporting
1st place – "The Surprising Place Where Some Seahawks Fans Gather," by Joshua McNichols, edited by Derek Wang
Spot News Reporting
3rd place – "International District Mourns Shooting Victim Donald Chin," by Liz Jones, edited by Carol Smith
SPOT 127 KORVA COLEMAN AWARD
“Overcoming Hurdles To Be First In His Family To Go To College,” by Angela Nguyen, mentored by Lila Kiaeff, edited by Jenny Asarnow
RTDNA’S STUDENT MURROW AWARDS
Overall Excellence - Audio
"Why This Teen Stopped Hiding Her Dad's Abuse," by Noel Gasca, mentored by Lila Kiaeff, edited by Jenny Asarnow
RTDNA’S REGIONAL EDWARD R. MURROW AWARDS
Continuing Coverage
"Arctic Drilling," by John Ryan
Sports
"Overcoming Hurdles To Be First In His Family To Go To College," by Angela Nguyen, edited by Jenny Asarnow
ALLIANCE FOR WOMEN IN MEDIA FOUNDATION'S GRACIES
Feature
"Why These Seattle Writers Launched #ShoutYourAbortion," by Jeannie Yandel and Allie Ferguson
Grand Winner: Portrait/Biography
"Why This Teen Stopped Hiding Her Dad's Abuse," by Noel Gasca, mentored by Lila Kiaeff, edited by Jenny Asarnow
2015 Awards
PUBLIC RADIO NEWS DIRECTORS INC.
Student Soft Feature
2nd Prize —"Water Is The Sound Of Freedom For My 'Ba'," by Angela Nguyen, mentored by Sandra Htyte, edited by Jenny Asarnow
Soft Feature – Large Newsroom
1st Place – "Water Is The Sound Of Freedom For My 'Ba'," by Angela Nguyen, mentored by Sandra Htyte, edited by Jenny Asarnow
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF HISPANIC JOURNALISTS
Latino Issues, Radio/Online Audio Journalism
“Goodbye America,” by Liz Jones
SOCIETY OF PROFESSIONAL JOURNALISTS: NORTHWEST EXCELLENCE IN JOURNALISM AWARDS
Feature
1st place — "What's On The Bottom Of Lake Washington? Planes, Trains, And...," by Sarah Waller, edited by Jim Gates
Investigative Reporting
1st place — "Who's Buying the Washington State Senate?" by John Ryan, edited by Carol Smith
2nd place — "Rail Workers Raise Doubts About Safety Culture As Oil Trains Roll On," by Ashley Ahearn and Tony Schick, edited by Jim Gates
News Series
1st place — "Two Indias, Near And Far," by Liz Jones, edited by Carol Smith
2nd place — "No Time For Play," by Ann Dornfeld, edited by Carol Smith
3rd place — "Seattle Nurse Risks Everything To Smuggle AIDS Drugs," by Jessica Partnow, edited by Carol Smith
Spot News
1st place — "Mudslide Witness: There Were 'Belongings All Over The Road," by Phyllis Fletcher, edited by Carol Smith
2nd place — "Ferguson Protesters In Seattle Express Hope, Worry, Anger," by Liz Jones, edited by Carol Smith
3rd place — "Shell Casings On The Carpet: Students Describe SPU Shooting Scene," by KUOW Staff, edited by Carol Smith
General News
3rd place — "Seattle Catholic Students Form Underground Clubs For LGBTQ Youth," by Katherine Sims, Rachel Lam and Nina Tran, edited by Jenny Asarnow
Special Report
3rd place — "An Autistic Teen’s Guide To Impersonating Michael Jackson," by Meghan O'Kelley, mentored by Lila Kitaeff, edited by Carol Smith
RTDNA’S NATIONAL EDWARD R. MURROW AWARDS
Hard News
1st place — "Seattle Catholic Students Form Underground Clubs For LGBTQ Youth," by Katherine Sims, Rachel Lam and Nina Tran, edited by Jenny Asarnow
RTDNA’S REGIONAL EDWARD R. MURROW AWARDS
Investigative Reporting
3rd place — "Landslide Safety All Over The Map," by John Ryan and Tony Schick, edited by Carol Smith
Hard News
1st place — "Seattle Catholic Students Form Underground Clubs For LGBTQ Youth," by Katherine Sims, Rachel Lam and Nina Tran, edited by Jenny Asarnow
RTDNA’S KALEIDOSCOPE AWARDS
Large Market Radio
"Two Indias, Near And Far," by Liz Jones, edited by Carol Smith
ALLIANCE FOR WOMEN IN MEDIA FOUNDATION'S GRACIES
Outstanding Interview Program or Feature
"'Gamergate' Is Just A Microcosm Of Sexism," by Marcie Sillman and Hannah Burn, edited by Jeannie Yandel
Oustanding Reporter/Correspondent
Outstanding Documentary
"Seattle Nurse Risks Everything To Smuggle AIDS Drugs," by Jessica Partnow, edited by Carol Smith
2014 Awards
2014 SALUTE TO EXCELLENCE AWARD
"Black In Seattle," by Tonya Mosley, edited by Phyllis Fletcher
2014 RTNDA/UNITY AWARD
Honoring outstanding achievement in coverage of diversity
"Black In Seattle," by Tonya Mosley, edited by Phyllis Fletcher
SOCIETY OF PROFESSIONAL JOURNALISTS: NORTHWEST EXCELLENCE IN JOURNALISM AWARDS
Spot News Reporting
3rd place — "33 Women Arrested During Immigration Rally — Including Mayor McGinn's Wife," by Liz Jones
General News Reporting
1st place — "Farm Worker Harassment Draws Increased Scrutiny," by Liz Jones
Special Report
1st place — "Missing Person Cases Involving Dementia Challenge Police," by Ruby de Luna
3rd place — "Macklemore's 'Thrift Shop' Changes Teens' Shopping Habits," by Varun Dhananjaya
News Series
2nd place — "Coal in the Northwest," by Ashley Ahearn
1st Annual Amanda Wilde Inspire Award: Amanda Wilde, The Swing Years and Beyond
RTDNA’S REGIONAL EDWARD R. MURROW AWARDS
Sports
“Seattle Underwater Hockey Team Headed For Nationals,” by Sarah Waller
Hard News
“Fighting Foreclosure: Home Is Where The Bank Says It Is,” by Kendra Hanna (RadioActive Youth Media)
Writing
“Lifelong Smoker Goes Into Extra Innings In His Fight Against 'Mr. C,'" by Madeline Ewbank (RadioActive Youth Media)
2013 Awards
AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENCE
Kavli Science Journalism Awards
Certificate of Merit — Series: "Coal in the Northwest Series," by Ashley Ahearn, edited by Jim Gates
SOCIETY OF PROFESSIONAL JOURNALISTS: NORTHWEST EXCELLENCE IN JOURNALISM AWARDS
Spot News Reporting
3rd place — "Cafe Racer Shooting," by KUOW Staff
Special Report
1st place — "Broken Notes," reported by Kamna Shastri, edited by Nathan Friend
Investigative Reporting
1st place — "Sea Trial Leaves Shell's Arctic Oil-Spill Gear 'Crushed Like A Beer Can,'" reported by John Ryan, edited by Jim Gates
3rd place — "Less Than Honorable: Sexual Assault In The U.S. Military," reported by Patricia Murphy, edited by Jim Gates
SOCIETY OF PROFESSIONAL JOURNALISTS: SIGMA DELTA CHI AWARD
Investigative Reporting (1-100 Market or Network Syndication)
"Sea Trial Leaves Shell's Arctic Oil-Spill Gear 'Crushed Like A Beer Can,'" reported by John Ryan, edited by Jim Gates
RTDNA'S REGIONAL EDWARD R. MURROW AWARD
Investigative Reporting
"Flying The Unleaded Skies," by John Ryan
Feature
"Mom Moves into Van To Pay For Daughter’s Tuition," by Sarah Rosenthal
Hard News
"Undocumented HS Grad Can't Afford College Of His Choice," Esteli Garcia
2012 Awards
RTDNA'S REGIONAL EDWARD R. MURROW AWARD
Audio Feature Reporting
Studio 360 with Kurt Andersen, "Secrets Of A Blonde Bombshell," by KUOW's Phyllis Fletcher
ALLIANCE FOR WOMEN IN MEDIA FOUNDATION'S 2012 GRACIES
Outstanding Portrait/Biography
Studio 360 with Kurt Andersen, "Secrets Of A Blonde Bombshell," by KUOW's Phyllis Fletcher
RTDNA'S UNITY AWARD
Radio
Studio 360 with Kurt Andersen, "Secrets Of A Blonde Bombshell," by KUOW's Phyllis Fletcher
PUBLIC RADIO NEWS DIRECTORS INC.
Call-in Program
1st Prize — The Conversation, "Living In A White City," hosted by Ross Reynolds and produced by David Hyde and Arwen Nicks
SOCIETY OF PROFESSIONAL JOURNALISTS: SIGMA DELTA CHI AWARD
Public Service in Radio Journalism
"Danger At Work," produced by John Ryan and edited by Jim Gates
ASSOCIATION OF HEALTH CARE JOURNALISTS
Health Policy
3rd Place — "The Weight Of War," by Patricia Murphy and Hal Bernton of The Seattle Times
EDUCATION WRITERS ASSOCIATION'S NATIONAL REPORTING CONTEST
Beat Reporting
1st Prize — Phyllis Fletcher, Education Beat Reporting, edited by Jim Gates and Guy Nelson
WASHINGTON STATE DEPARTMENT OF ARCHAEOLOGY & HISTORIC PRESERVATION
Outstanding Achievement In The Media
"The Viaduct," written and produced by Dominic Black, edited by Jim Gates and assisted by Jason Pagano
SOCIETY OF PROFESSIONAL JOURNALISTS: NORTHWEST EXCELLENCE IN JOURNALISM AWARDS
Health Reporting
1st Place — "The Weight Of War," by Patricia Murphy and Hal Bernton of The Seattle Times
Radio News Series
2nd Place — "Danger At Work," produced by John Ryan and edited by Jim Gates
Innovation Award
2nd Place — "Farming Along The Duwamish," by Jim Gates and InvestigateWest's Carol Smith