Little Rock Public Radio Staff Honored with Arkansas SPJ Diamond Journalism Awards
earned top honors at this year鈥檚 Diamond Journalism Awards hosted by the Arkansas Society of Professional Journalists, securing first-place awards in all categories within the contest鈥檚 radio/audio division.
Politics and Government Reporter Josie Lenora took home eight first prize awards for her work covering a wide swath of issues affecting central Arkansas residents. Reporter and local 鈥楢ll Things Considered鈥� Host Maggie Ryan took home a first prize for feature reporting, and News Director Daniel Breen shared a first prize in breaking news for his and Lenora鈥檚 coverage of the March 31, 2023 Arkansas tornado outbreak.
鈥淐lear, comprehensive and compelling coverage. You served your listeners well, in the wake of deadly tornado damage,鈥� the judge鈥檚 comments read. 鈥淲ell done!鈥�
Lenora won first prize in general news for her report 鈥淟ibrarians fight book challenges in central Arkansas,鈥� with a judge commenting 鈥渆xcellent use of sound to convey the many facets of this very current issue, with a well-written script to weave the story together.鈥� Breen鈥檚 story 鈥淔ederal judge blocks country鈥檚 first ban on gender affirming care for minors鈥� and Lenora鈥檚 report 鈥淔or much of Arkansas, earthquake threat looms large鈥� were finalists in the same category
In ongoing coverage, Lenora took home a first prize for her report 鈥淩ural Arkansas 鈥榗rypto mines鈥� prompt noise complaints from residents.鈥� A judge commented 鈥淔antastic job breaking down and explaining an abstract issue (crypto mining) and the real issues (noise, energy use) it鈥檚 causing in communities. Excellent work, especially tracking down an impacted resident and droning nat sound of the mines in operation.鈥� Lenora and Breen鈥檚 report 鈥淓fforts continue to get an Arkansas LEARNS repeal on the ballot鈥� was a finalist in the same category.
Lenora won first prize in enterprise/explanatory reporting for her story 鈥淪chool choice detractors, advocates come to head over Arkansas education bill,鈥� with her report 鈥淎 look inside the evolution of an Arkansas FOIA bill鈥� also a finalist in the same category. Lenora also won first prize for investigative reporting for her report 鈥淐rawford County officials, residents debate LGBTQ books in library children鈥檚 section.鈥�
鈥淛osie Lenora鈥檚 piece exemplifies everything this category stands for, and more: 鈥楩or reporting that demonstrates initiative, persistence and resourcefulness in pursuing information that is restricted, hidden or not readily available and is of public interest and significance,鈥欌�� the judge鈥檚 comments read. 鈥淗er dedication, research and tenacity in pursuing this story鈥攁bout one community鈥檚 handling of LGBTQ books in its public library鈥攄emonstrates Lenora鈥檚 abilities as a skilled journalist.鈥�
Lenora also took home first prizes in arts and entertainment for her story 鈥淢aureen Corrigan on 鈥楩resh Air,鈥� banned books and the art of criticism,鈥� in politics for 鈥淎rkansas drops AP African American Studies course,鈥� and in education for her story 鈥淨uestions continue over Arkansas teacher pay.鈥� In that category, Lenora鈥檚 report 鈥淎rkansas LEARNS: where are we now?鈥� and the story 鈥溙切腣log传媒PB professor responds to claims of state underfunding鈥� by All Things Considered Host/Reporter Maggie Ryan were finalists.
鈥淎 solid story that weaves many viewpoints together for a holistic look at the state鈥檚 new school voucher program鈥攁nd the confusion surrounding its implementation,鈥� the judge鈥檚 comments read, adding 鈥淜udos to all entrants for tackling the tough issues within education today.鈥�
Ryan took home first prize in feature reporting for her story 鈥淎ctivists push to remember lynching victims in Arkansas,鈥� with a judge commenting 鈥淓xcellent interweaving of narration and sound to create a moving community story, shining a light on a nearly-forgotten victim of racial terror in Arkansas nearly 100 years ago.鈥�
鈥淚 am incredibly proud of our news team’s recent achievements in winning multiple SPJ awards,鈥� said LRPR General Manager Jonathan Seaborn. 鈥淭his recognition is a testament to their dedication, hard work, and commitment to delivering high-quality journalism to our community.
鈥淥ur reporters consistently go above and beyond to ensure that the stories we share are informative, accurate, and impactful. These awards highlight the excellence and passion that drive our newsroom every day. Congratulations to our entire team for this well-deserved honor.鈥�
The 2024 Arkansas SPJ Diamond Journalism Awards saw 538 entries in 82 categories, with SPJ members from Pennsylvania and Florida judging the competitions.