Station Award Winners

The 2026 KAB Station Awards for Excellence in Broadcasting recognize the outstanding work being done by Kansas broadcasters across the state. Congratulations to this year’s winners, and thank you to every station that submitted entries. Your commitment to serving your communities through exceptional journalism, storytelling, public service, sports, weather, and creative programming continues to strengthen broadcasting in Kansas.

The 2026 Tony Jewell Community Service Award winner will be announced live during the KAB Station Awards Dinner.

2026 Stations of the Year

Large Market Radio: KMUW - Wichita

Medium Market Radio: KGGF-AM - Coffeyville

Small Market Radio: KLOE - Goodland

Major Market TV: KCTV5 - Kansas City

Large Market TV: KAKE - Wichita

Medium Market TV: WIBW 13 - Topeka

The 2026 Tony Jewell Community Service Award winner will be announced live during the KAB Station Awards Celebration.

Major Market TV

Commercial
1st	KCTV – Kansas City	Restless Spirits – Sons of Erin Irish Whiskey	William Varnier (Creative Services Director), Cody Nance (Producer)
2nd	KCTV – Kansas City	Show Me Settlements	Cody Nance (Producer)
Commercial Campaign
1st	KMBC-TV – Kansas City	Mr. Moore Furnace	Elizabeth Seidel (Producer)
2nd	KCTV – Kansas City	Midwest Heating – Family Spots	Cody Nance (Producer)
HM	WDAF-TV – Kansas City	Cockrell Mercantile	Todd Norris (Producer), Tommy Vean (Photographer)
Excellence in Diversity/Equity/Inclusion News
1st	KCTV – Kansas City	Reclaiming Your History	Zac Summers (Reporter), Matt Kline (Photographer)
2nd	KCTV – Kansas City	A Historic First — Twice	Janae’ Hancock (Reporter), Rilee Malloy (Photographer)
Excellence in Multimedia/Digital Promotional or Commercial Announcements
1st	KCTV – Kansas City	Royals Home Opener	William Varnier (Creative Services Director), Kaylin Byland (Promotions Manager), Justin Kracht (Asst. Creative Services Director)
2nd	KCTV – Kansas City	Relighting of the KCTV5 Broadcast Tower	William Varnier (Creative Services Director), Kaylin Byland (Promotions Manager), Justin Kracht (Asst. Creative Services Director)
Excellence in Multimedia/Digital Storytelling
1st	KCTV – Kansas City	Beyond the Border	Greg Dailey (Digital Content Manager), Lauren Magarino (Reporter), Matt Kline (Photographer)
2nd	KCTV – Kansas City	The Oranje Fanwalk	KCTV5 Staff
In-Depth News Reporting
1st	KMBC – Kansas City	Restrained	Matt Flener (Reporter), Rachel Coleman (Editor), Cara Doyle Wright (Executive Producer), Carly Johnson (Producer)
2nd	KCTV – Kansas City	The Dark Side of the World Cup	Sharon Chen (Reporter), Matt Kline (Photographer)
Morning/Midday Newscast
1st	KCTV – Kansas City	KCTV5 News This Morning – The Oranje Fanwalk	Stanley Danzey (Executive Producer), Kyle King (Producer)
2nd	KCTV – Kansas City	KCTV5 News This Morning – July 17th	Stanley Danzey (Producer), Bill Hurrelbrink (Anchor), Carolina Cruz (Anchor), Taylor Johnson (Anchor), Stevie Stephenson (Meteorologist), Morgan Riddell (Reporter), Dwain Crispell (Photographer)
HM	WDAF – Kansas City	FOX4 News at 9am: United in Grief	Nathan Vanderpool (Producer), Mike Simpson (Director), Pat McGonigle (Anchor), Crystal Martinez (Anchor), Karli Ritter (Meteorologist)
News Feature
1st	KCTV – Kansas City	The Haunting of the Phoenix	Sharon Chen (Reporter), Rilee Malloy (Photographer)
2nd	KCTV – Kansas City	History Rekindled	Brad Stephens (Anchor), Matt Kline (Photographer)
Prime Newscast
1st	KCTV – Kansas City	Live at Five: The Oranje Fanwalk	Tony Ullrich (Producer)
2nd	KMBC – Kansas City	KMBC 9 News at 5:00 – March to the Match	Marnie Ingle (Producer), Sean Sullivan (Director)
HM	KCTV – Kansas City	Chiefs Make Historic Move to Kansas	Tony Ullrich (Producer), Molly Kelleher (Executive Producer), Marleah CAmpbell (Reporter), Brad Stephens (Anchor), Lauren Magarino (Anchor)
Recurring Program
1st	KCTV – Kansas City	First Warn 5 Weather Show	Markelle Mikkelson (Producer), Luke Dorris (Chief Meteorologist), Melissa Meeder (Meteorologist), Mike Nicco (Meteorologist), Cory Kowitz (Meteorologist)
2nd	KCTV – Kansas City	Kansas City: On the Record	Rhett Eisenberg (Producer), Brad Stephens (Anchor), Whitney Blake (Photographer)
Special Program
1st	KCTV – Kansas City	Beyond the Border	Lauren Magarino (Reporter), Matt Kline (Photographer)
2nd	KMBC – Kansas City	Chronicle: To the Women Who Served	Donna Pitman (Reporter), Javier Luna (Editor), Cara Doyle Wright (Executive Producer), Sydney Sbarro (Producer)
HM	KMBC – Kansas City	Chronicle: Ride for the Fallen	Andy Alcock (Reporter), Todd Ummelmann (Editor), Cara Doyle Wright (Executive Producer)
Sports Feature
1st	KCTV – Kansas City	One Mile at a Time	Zac Summers (Reporter), Whitney Blake (Photographer)
2nd	WDAF – Kansas City	KC Current President Breaks Barriers in Sports Leadership	Harold Kuntz (Sports Reporter)
Sportscast
1st	KCTV – Kansas City	Let the Madness Begin	Marleah Campbell (Anchor), Ryan Wright (Producer), Neal Jones (Reporter), Mark Poulose (Reporter)
2nd	KCTV – Kansas City	Chiefs Lose Mahomes to Torn ACL	Mark Poulose (Anchor), Neal Jones (Reporter), Marleah Campbell (Reporter), Katie Maher (Reporter)
Station Excellence
1st	KCTV – Kansas City	KCTV5	KCTV5 Staff
2nd	WDAF – Kansas City	WDAF-TV/FOX4: Working for the Community	FOX4 WDAF-TV
Station Promotion Announcement
1st	KSHB – Kansas City	In Crisis – A Search for Mental Health Solution – KSHB 41	Chris Allen (Creative Marketing Manager)
2nd	KMBC-TV – Kansas City	KMBC 9 Chronicle: Up in Smoke	Leah Foster (Producer)
HM	WDAF-TV – Kansas City	100 Days Out	Brandon Irwin (Producer), Liz Monitjo (Executive Producer)
Station Promotional Campaign
1st	KMBC-TV – Kansas City	KMBC 9 Investigates – Proof of Impact	Eddie Gomez (Producer)
2nd	KCTV – Kansas City	Heart of Kansas City Campaign	Kaylin Byland (Promotions Manager), Justin Kracht (Asst. Creative Services Director), William Varnier (Creative Services Director)
Station Website
1st	KCTV – Kansas City	KCTV5.com	Greg Dailey (Digital Content Manager), Heidi Schmidt (Social Media Manager), KCTV5 Digital Team
2nd	WDAF – Kansas City	FOX4KC.com	Andrew Lynch (Digital Content Manager)
Weathercast
1st	KCTV – Kansas City	Melissa Meeder Forecast – March 10th	Melissa Meeder (Meteorologist)
2nd	KCTV – Kansas City	Luke Dorris Severe Weather Coverage – April 27th	Luke Dorris (Chief Meteorologist)

Large Market TV

Commercial
1st	KAKE – Wichita	Wichita Bonding Company	Aaron Lair (Editor)
2nd	KWCH – Wichita	SC TELCOM “Robert Fan Club”	Barry Hager (Marketing Producer)
Commercial Campaign
1st	KWCH – Wichita	Smith Market ” We Do Fresh”	Barry Hager (Marketing Producer)
2nd	KAKE – Wichita	Spears Restaurant & Pie Shop	Scott May (Producer), Tim May (Producer)
HM	KAKE – Wichita	Wichita Wind Surge 2026 Campaign	Scott May (Producer)
Excellence in Diversity/Equity/Inclusion News
1st	KWCH – Wichita	Beyond the Past: Elevating Black Health, History, and Heritage in Kansas	Felicia Rolfe (Anchor), Rami Dahdal (Photojournalist), Keenan Penn (Multimedia Journalist), Angela Smith (Digital Content Manager), Bert Harry (Photojournalist), Ana Valdez Saravia (Multimedia Journalist)
2nd	KSNW – Wichita	‘A story that needs to be told’: How Black Wichita students made history in the 1950s	Alexis Padilla, Nick Kieffer
HM	KAKE – Wichita	Who Tells Your Story?	Pilar Pedraza (Reporter), Andy Duffy (Photographer), Matt Henderson (Photographer)
Excellence in Multimedia/Digital Promotional or Commercial Announcements
1st	KAKE – Wichita	KAKE’s Food For Good	Aaron Lair (Creative Director), Luke Parrett (Editor)
2nd	KAKE – Wichita	Summer of a Million Meals	Luke Parrett (Editor), Aaron Lair (Director), Scott May (Designer)
Excellence in Multimedia/Digital Storytelling
1st	KWCH – Wichita	Flight 5342: A Legacy of Loss and Lessons	Dylan Domangue (Multimedia Journalist), Annette Lawless (Multimedia Journalist), Brock Wilson (Multimedia Journalist), Ryan Johnson (Producer), Michael Schwanke (Anchor), Rachel Hackbarth (Anchor), Michael Montgomery (Director), Tim Steinert (Photojournalist)
2nd	KSNW – Wichita	How Wichita made history with tornado sirens, early radar	Lisa Teachman, James Heier
In-Depth News Reporting
1st	KSNW – Wichita	Former Coldwater mayor faces, charges, ICE Custody, support from community	Payton Steiner
2nd	KAKE – Wichita	A Hidden Crisis: Sex Trafficking	Kate Devine (Reporter), Travis McCarty (Photographer)
Morning/Midday Newscast
1st	KWCH – Wichita	12 News This Morning – June 26, 2026	Dylan Wittorff (Producer), Max Dutton (Multimedia Journalist), Rami Dahdal (Photojournalist), Felicia Rolfe (Anchor), Annette Lawless (Anchor), Haylen Wilhite (Meteorologist), Andrew Shores (Executive Producer), Phillip Sullivan (Director), Liz Miller (Director)
2nd	KAKE – Wichita	Good Morning Kansas – Father’s Day Deadly Tornado	Deane Reaves (Producer), Lily O’Brien (Anchor), Frank Waugh (Meteorologist), Makinley Potter (Meteorologist), Mady Baker (Photographer)
News Feature
1st	KWCH – Wichita	Community remembers victims of Flight 5342 crash	Brock Wilson (Multimedia Journalist)
2nd	KSNW – Wichita	Preserving history and culture with dance in the Czech Capital of Kansas	Payton Steiner
HM	KAKE – Wichita	A Heartfelt Sendoff	Sydney Ferguson (Reporter/Photographer)
Prime Newscast
1st	KWCH – Wichita	12 News February 17th Wildfire Coverage – 10pm	Kaleb Vining (Producer), Thomas Lynch (Multimedia Journalist), Bert Harry (Photojournalist), Gabriela Hernandez (Multimedia Journalist), Michael Schwanke (Anchor), Rachel Hallam (Anchor), Elijah Maples (Director), Casey Lowmiller (Photojournalist)
2nd	ESNW – Wichita	Telemundo Kansas Newscast May 13, 2026 (Spanish)	Eric Jimenez
HM	KAKE – Wichita	KAKE News at 10:00 – Cargill Fire	Jeremy Ingalls (Producer), Chris Earl (Anchor), Deb Farris (Anchor), Kate Devine (Reporter), Jack Cooper (Reporter)
Recurring Program
1st	KWCH – Wichita	Eye on Agriculture	Brityne Rucker (Anchor/Producer)
2nd	KWCH – Wichita	Answerback 12	Michael Schwanke (Anchor), Jacob Albracht (Anchor), Everett Carlisle (Producer), Ross Janssen (Meteorologist)
Special Program
1st	KAKE – Wichita	Damaged and Denied	Pilar Pedraza (Reporter), Brooke Kozlowski (Producer), Andy Duffy (Photographer), Matt Henderson (Photographer), Colton Williams (Meteorologist)
2nd	KAKE – Wichita	Flight 5342: One Year Later	KAKE News Team
HM	ESNW – Wichita	Immigration Special on Telemundo Kansas Friday, June 26, 2026 (Spanish)	Eric Jimenez
Sports Feature
1st	KWCH – Wichita	Cameroon to Kansas: How a 6′6″ 12-year-old found a home at Maize South Middle	Gabriela Hernandez (Sport Anchor/Multimedia Journalist)
2nd	KAKE – Wichita	Wichita Wrestlers Honor Former Coach	Noah Sacco (Sports Anchor/Reporter), Matt Henderson (Photographer)
Sportscast
1st	KAKE – Wichita	Crossing the Line	Micaela Dea (Sports Director), Jeremy Ingalls (Producer), Matt Henderson (Photographer)
2nd	KSNW – Wichita	Friday Football Fever KSN News 3	Michael Emami (Sports Director), Asia Cymone Smith (Sports Reporter)
Station Excellence
1st	KWCH – Wichita	KWCH: Driving Legislative Change, Saving Lives, and Serving Kansas
2nd	KSNW – Wichita	KSN News 3 – Here For You	KSN News Team
Station Promotion Announcement
1st	KSNW – Wichita	KSN 70th Anniversary	Chuck Lohf (Art Director)
2nd	KAKE – Wichita	Back To School Bailey	Scott May (DP/Editor), Aaron Lair (Writer/Director), Courtney Roll (PA/Grip)
HM	KSNW – Wichita	KSN Magic of the Holidays	Chuck Lohf (Art Director)
Station Promotional Campaign
1st	KAKE – Wichita	KAKE First Alert: “On Cloud 9”	Luke Parrett (Director/Producer), Aaron Lair (EP/PA), Scott May (PA/Grip)
2nd	KAKE – Wichita	KAKE Before Christmas	Scott May (Director/Producer)

Station Website
1st	KSNW – Wichita	KSN.com	Joseph McCarty (Digital Content Manager), Ryan Newton (Digital Content Producer), Carina Branson (Digital Content Producer), Aniyah Robinson (Digital Content Producer), Wil Day (Digital Content Producer), Sarah Moore (Digital Content Producer)
2nd	KAKE – Wichita	KAKE.com Best Station Website	Paul Meister (Managing Editor), Cameron Burnett (Digital Producer), Kyra Case (Digital Producer), KAKE News Team
Weathercast
1st	KAKE – Wichita	KAKE News at 6pm – First Weather	Jay Prater (Chief Meteorologist), Cameron Venable (Meteorologist)
2nd	KSNW – Wichita	KSN Storm Track 3 Weather PDS Tornado Watch May 18, 2026	Lisa Teachman (Chief Meteorologist), Jack Maney (Meteorologist)

Medium/Non-Metro TV

Commercial
1st	WIBW-TV – Topeka	Brewster – From Cannonball to Pickleball	Dave Uhler, Bob Lorson
2nd	KSNT – Topeka	Denali Home Design	Randall Mitchell, Tracy Smith
Commercial Campaign
1st	KSNT – Topeka	LaRocca’s Pizza “It’s LaRocca’s!”	Greg Williams, Tracy Smith
2nd	WIBW-TV – Topeka	Downtown Topeka – Your Perfect Night Starts Here	Dave Uhler, Chris Fisher
HM	KSNT – Topeka	Mesler Roofing, Siding and Windows “Sports”	Randall Mitchell, Tracy Smith
Excellence in Diversity/Equity/Inclusion News
1st	KSNF/KODE – Joplin	Joplin councilman’s anti-trans social media comments	Dustin Lattimer (Reporter), Jessica Schaer (Anchor/Reporter), Bobbie Pottorff (News Director)
2nd	KSNT – Topeka	KSNT Coverage of New Law Restricting Transgender People	Brayden Day (Multimedia Journalist), Rebekah Chung (Anchor)
Excellence in Multimedia/Digital Promotional or Commercial Announcements
1st	KOAM – Pittsburg	Four States Finest	Amanda Salgado (Digital Sales Manager), Christina Valdez (Digital Sales Coordinator), Rye Addis (General Sales Manager)
2nd	KSNT – Topeka	Mesler Roofing, Siding and Windows “Winter Olympics”	Randall Mitchell, Tracy Smith
Excellence in Multimedia/Digital Storytelling
1st	WIBW – Topeka	Winter Storm Alert	13 NEWS Team
2nd	WIBW – Topeka	Officers down: Osage Co. shooting	13 NEWS Team
In-Depth News Reporting
1st	KSNT – Topeka	In the Weeds	Rebekah Chung (Anchor)
2nd	KOAM – Pittsburg	Denali Fertilizer Under Fire	Tawnya Bach (Reporter), Gabe Hanson (Photographer)
HM	KOAM – Pittsburg	Prescriptions for Profit	Samantha Walker (Reporter), Trevor Lewis (Photographer)
Morning/Midday Newscast
1st	WIBW – Topeka	Overnight Storms: 13 NEWS This Morning	13 NEWS Team
2nd	KSNT – Topeka	KSNT AM Newscast	Emily Jardon (Producer), Klaud Manis (Director), David George (Anchor)
News Feature
1st	WIBW – Topeka	Students hot-dog it to prom	Melissa Brunner (Reporter), Doug Brown (Photojournalist)
2nd	KSNT – Topeka	Boomtown Fireworks Show	Matt Miller (Chief Meteorologist)
HM	KSNF/KODE – Joplin	Special Olympian Makes History	Jeremiah Cook (Anchor/Reporter)
Prime Newscast
1st	WIBW – Topeka	AMBER Alert: 13 NEWS at 6	13 NEWS Team
2nd	WIBW – Topeka	After the Storm: 13 NEWS at 6	13 NEWS Team
Recurring Program
1st	KSNT – Topeka	Inside Kansas Politics	Rebekah Chung (Anchor), Joshua Irsik (Director)
2nd	KSNT – Topeka	K-Nation	Kole Emplit (Sports Director), Sydney Clark (Sports Anchor), Amy Acevedo (Sports Reporter)
HM	WIBW – Topeka	Sunflower Sports Report	Andrew Lind (Sports Director), Jason Kinander (Sports Reporter)
Special Program
1st	KSNT – Topeka	Art in Topeka	Tim Schoepflin (Multimedia Journalist)
2nd	WIBW – Topeka	60 Years after the Storm: Topeka Remembers	David Oliver (Anchor), Jeremy Goodwin (Meteorologist), Doug Brown (Photojournalist), Dave Uhler (Creative Services Producer)
HM	KTWU – Topeka	Sunflower Journeys: Destinations	Val VanDerSluis (Producer), Jim Kelly (Producer), LLoyd Slapar (Producer), Jay Hurst (Producer), Lyall Ford (Producer)
Sports Feature
1st	WIBW – Topeka	Karsten’s Rebound	Mikayla Kelly (Reporter)
2nd	WIBW – Topeka	Rossville Holds onto History	Andrew Lind (Reporter)
HM	KOAM – Pittsburg	Can’t Stop Kendall Forbes	Ben McLeish (Reporter)
Sportscast
1st	KSNT – Topeka	Full Court Press	Kole Emplit (Sports Director), Sydney Clark (Sports Anchor), Amy Acevedo (Sports Reporter)
2nd	WIBW – Topeka	13 SPORTS: Spring Sports Champs	Andrew Lind (Sports Director), Jason Kinander (Sports Reporter)
HM	WIBW – Topeka	13 SPORTS: Klein Comes Home	Jason Kinander (Sports Reporter)
Station Excellence
1st	KSNT – Topeka	KSNT Station Excellence	KSNT
2nd	WIBW – Topeka	WIBW-TV Station Excellence	WIBW-TV Team
Station Promotion Announcement
1st	KOAM – Pittsburg	Kickin’ It on Route 66	Sonya Parker (Producer), Ty Parks (Videographer)
2nd	KOAM – Pittsburg	Tornado Memorial Walk	Darren Dishman (Producer)
Station Promotional Campaign
1st	KSNT – Topeka	27 News Image Series	Eileen McCaffrey, Tracy Smith
2nd	WIBW-TV – Topeka	WIBW First Alert Weather Explainer	Dave Uhler, Jeremey Goodwin
Station Website
1st	WIBW – Topeka	WIBW.com	13 NEWS Team
2nd	KSNT – Topeka	KSNT.com	KSNT
HM	KOAM – Pittsburg	KOAM WEBSITE
Weathercast
1st	WIBW – Topeka	Jeremy Goodwin’s Weather	Jeremy Goodwin
2nd	WIBW – Topeka	Doug Meyer’s Weather	Doug Meyers

Large Market Radio

Best Morning Show
1st	WDAF-FM – Kansas City	Jenny & Jagger in the Morning	Matt Gapske (Producer)
2nd	KFDI – Wichita	JJ Hayes Best Morning Show Entry	JJ Hayes (KFDI Morning Show Host)
HM	KVWF-FM – Wichita	Dan Holiday In the Morning on 100.5 The Twister	Dan Holiday (Program Director)
Commercial
1st	WIBW-FM – Topeka	Summer Cicadas	Bradley Jepsen (On-Air Personality)
2nd	KFDI – Wichita	Climate Shield Home Exteriors – Hillbilly Home	Bobby Knight (Afternoon Host and Production Director)
Complete Newscast
1st	KMUW – Wichita	Wichita’s Early Edition – June 17, 2026	Fletcher Powell (On-Air Host)
2nd	KNSS – Wichita	Woodward and Whit – 8am Newscast	Ted Woodward (Anchor), John Whitmer (Anchor), Jad Chambers (Producer), Rodney Price (Reporter), Phil Hildebrand (Reporter), Jeff Monosso (Correspondent), Jake Dunne (Meteorologist)
Complete Severe Weather Coverage
1st	KVWF-FM – Wichita	April 23, 2026 – Landspout Tornadoes	Dan Holiday (Program Director), Bryce Kintigh (Storm Spotter), Hunter Arrington (Storm Spotter)
2nd	KNSS – Wichita	June 13 Storm	AJ Mitchell (Anchor), Jad Chambers (Reporter)
Complete Sportscast
1st	WIBW-AM – Topeka	KIN Sports 6-1-26	Spencer DuPuis (Producer)
2nd	KNSS – Wichita	KNSS Sports Update	Ted Woodward (Anchor)
DJ Personality Aircheck
1st	KDGS – Wichita	ZebTheDJ 2026	Zeb Campbell (Personality )
2nd	KFBZ – Wichita	Dave Wilson	Dave Wilson (Personality )
HM	KMUW – Wichita	Carla Eckels – Host of Soulsations	Carla Eckels (Host of Soulsations)
Editorial/Commentary
1st	KQAM – Wichita	Reasonable Minute	Andy Hooser (Host)
2nd	KMUW – Wichita	Tom Shine – One Last Thing	Tom Shine (News Director)
Excellence in Diversity/Equity/Inclusion News
1st	KMUW – Wichita	‘A national treasure’: Minisa Bridge added to the National Register of Historic Places	Jennifer Anima (Reporter)
2nd	KMUW – Wichita	Breaking Barriers: New contemporary ballet honors 1958 Dockum sit-in	Carla Eckels (Director of Organizational Culture)
Excellence in Multimedia/Digital Promotional or Commercial Announcements
1st	KMUW – Wichita	Tulip Takeover in Old Town	Debra Fraser (General Manager)
Excellence in Multimedia/Digital Storytelling
1st	KMUW – Wichita	Decade-plus building slump limits Wichita housing choices	Meg Britton-Mehlisch (KMUW Reporter), Chris Green (Reporter/Editor, Wichita Journalism Collaborative), Janelle O’Dea (Independent Journalist)
2nd	KMUW – Wichita	Two data center companies are trying to buy more than 1,000 acres of Sedgwick County land	Meg Britton-Mehlisch (Reporter)
HM	Kansas News Service – Lawrence	A rural nonprofit grocery store is closing in Kansas, showing how hard it is to fight food deserts	Calen Moore
News Feature
1st	Kansas News Service – Lawrence	These Kansas elementary students dissect frogs — and it could help fight a doctor shortage	Bek Shackelford-Nwanganga
2nd	Kansas News Service – Lawrence	Tumbleweeds can be so bad in Kansas that they bury homes and cause fire danger	Calen Moore
HM	KMUW – Wichita	Wichita doctors teamed up to help mend 2-year-old chimpanzee Alizeti	Meg Britton-Mehlisch (Reporter)
Public Affairs Program
1st	Kansas News Service – Lawrence	More Kansas women are having babies after age 40. This Roeland Park mom is one of them	Bek Shackelford-Nwanganga
2nd	KQAM – Wichita	Kansas Talk	Andy Hooser (Host)
Special Program
1st	KMUW – Wichita	Marginalia: Pulitzer Prize–winner Andrew Sean Greer on his new novel “Villa Coco”	Beth Golay (Host of Marginalia)
2nd	KMUW – Wichita	Global Village at the Savannah Music Festival	Chris Heim (Host of Global Village)
Sports Feature
1st	Kansas News Service – Lawrence	These Kansas luchadores are spreading traditional Mexican wrestling, one headlock at a time	Calen Moore
2nd	KMUW – Wichita	Kansas girls pursue gridiron glory with new flag football leagues	Suzanne Perez (Education Reporter)
HM	KMUW – Wichita	Major nutrition for a minor league baseball team	Tom Shine (News Director)
Sports Play-by-play
1st	KEYN – Wichita	Wichita State double overtime win	Mike Kennedy (Announcer), Bob Hull (Announcer), Phil Hildebrand (Producer)
2nd	KOZA – Topeka	3A Girls State Championship: Silver Lake vs Osage City	Wade Gerstner
HM	WIBW-AM – Topeka	3A Sectional Football SFT vs Holton	Dan Lucero (Sports Director)
Spot News
1st	KMUW – Wichita	Kansas school districts must return millions in overpaid Medicaid funds	Suzanne Perez (Education Reporter)
2nd	KMUW – Wichita	‘No longer stuck’: Wichita GED ceremony celebrates hard work and second chances	Daniel Caudill (Reporter)

Station Excellence
1st	KMUW – Wichita	KMUW Station Excellence Essay	Debra Fraser (General Manager)
Station Promotion Announcement
1st	KMUW – Wichita	2025 Spelling Bee	Fletcher Powell (On-Air Host), Lu Anne Stephens (Assistant General Manager)
2nd	KDVV – Topeka	Guns N Roses Promo	robert elfman (programming)
HM	KDGS – Wichita	Playboi Carti	Zeb Campbell (Promotions Director)
Station Promotional Campaign
1st	KMUW – Wichita	“Why Should I Read This?” on-air feature and lecture series	Beth Golay (Director of Marketing and Digital Content), Lu Anne Stephens (Assistant General Manager)
Station Website
1st	KDVV – Topeka	V100ROCKS.COM	Sage Williams (Promotions)
2nd	KMUW – Wichita	KMUW Website	Beth Golay (Director of Marketing and Digital Content), Hugo Phan (Reporter and Digital Producer)

Medium Market Radio

Best Morning Show
1st	KAYS – Hays	The Morning Blend	Jeff Leiker
2nd	KXDG-FM – Joplin	Chris “Purple” Hayes & Bobby Show	Bobby Wilkerson (On Air + Marketing Consultant)
HM	KGGF AM – Coffeyville	Open Line at Christmas	James Copeland (Talent/Producer), Sheri Garris (Talent), Matt Jordan (Talent)
Commercial
1st	KJMK-FM – Columbus	Zimmer Radio In-House – Website – Fighting to Get Found	Jen Edgar (Creative Audio Director)
2nd	KINA – Salina	Salina Speedway	Chris Cadle (Program Director)
HM	KMKF-FM – Manhattan	Willie’s Hideout – GPS	Steven Shaffur (Production Director/Director Of Technology)
Commercial Campaign
1st	KXDG-FM – Joplin	Missouri Metal Recycling	Bobby Wilkerson (On Air + Marketing Consultant)
2nd	KZRG-AM – Joplin	Hurricane Car Wash	Jen Edgar (Creative Audio Director)
Complete Newscast
1st	KGGF AM – Coffeyville	KGGF News at Noon April 27th 2026	Sheri Garris (Talent/Writer/Producer)
2nd	KZRG-AM – Joplin	01-05-2026 Ted Bojorquez midday KZRG newscast	Ted Bojorquez (Program Director – NewsTalk KZRG)
HM	KANU, KANH, KANV and KANQ – Lawrence	All Things Considered News with Laura Lorson	Laura Lorson
Complete Severe Weather Coverage
1st	KINA – Salina	113 MPH Winds Hit Salina	Chris Cadle (Program Director), Randy Picking (Storm Reporter), Devin Hanney (Storm Reporter)
2nd	KLWN – Lawrence	LAWRENCE KANSAS TORNADO JUNE 2026	Kim L. Murphree (Producer/Host/Severe Weather/News)
HM	KMAN-AM – Manhattan	MBC Supercast	Steven Shaffur (Production Director/Director Of Technology), Mitch Fortner (Sports Director)
Complete Sportscast
1st	KJLS – Hays	KJLS Morning Sports	Gerard Wellbrock
2nd	KMAN-AM – Manhattan	Jerome Tang Fired	Mitch Fortner (Sports Director)
HM	KVOE – Emporia	1-14 PM KVOE Sports	Blake Cripps
DJ Personality Aircheck
1st	KSKG – Salina	Crusin’ with Cadle	Chris Cadle (DJ / PD)
2nd	KEKS – Emporia	Kinsey Wright- Doing Things The Wright Way- KEKS	Kinsey Wright (On-Air Talent)
HM	KHAZ – Hays	A KZ Country Morning	Theresa Trapp
Editorial/Commentary
1st	KANU, KANH, KANV and KANQ – Lawrence	Lynda’s Gift: What Death Can Teach the Living	Scott Carlberg, J. Schafer
2nd	KANZ/KZNA – Garden City	Growing Up on Route 66	Max McCoy (Host Commentator), Kathleen Holt (Producer/Coordinator)
HM	KFRM – Clay Center	Plain Talk: Election Ballots	Jamie Bloom, Kyle Bauer
Excellence in Diversity/Equity/Inclusion News
1st	KVOE – Emporia	A day full of meaning: Eastside Community Group hosts second annual community Juneteenth celebration	Tagan Trahoon (Reporter)
2nd	KGGF AM – Coffeyville	Frybread Journeys June 15th, 2026	James Copeland (Talent/Producer), Kris Crane (Talent)
HM	KANU, KANH, KANV and KANQ – Lawrence	KPR Community Spotlight: Assistance for Immigrants and Refugees	J. Schafer, Joanna Fewins, Kaye McIntyre
Excellence in Multimedia/Digital Promotional or Commercial Announcements
1st	KHUT – Hutchinson	PrairieStar Health Center	Ashley Weve, Sue Achilles, Karl Sneath, EAGLE Media Team
2nd	KHUT – Hutchinson	Graduation	Ashley Weve, EAGLE Media Team, Daren Dunn, Randy McKay, Casey Osburn
Excellence in Multimedia/Digital Storytelling
1st	KINA – Salina	“Dirty Watergate”	Chris Cadle (Program Director), Nicolas Fierro (News Director)
2nd	KMCP-FM – McPherson	McPherson County All Schools Day 2026	KMCP Staff
HM	KANU, KANH, KANV and KANQ – Lawrence	Getting Legal Help to Rural Kansas	Zach Boblitt, Stephen Koranda
News Feature
1st	KINA – Salina	Dirty is the Water – City Commission v. The Citizens	Chris Cadle (Program Director), Randy Picking (Executive Producer)
2nd	KRPS – Pittsburg	The lead mines left southeast Kansas but the health hazards remain	Rachel Schnelle (Reporter)
HM	KVOE – Emporia	Feel Good Friday: I Look Forward to My Sundays	Tagan Trahoon (Reporter)
Public Affairs Program
1st	KXKU-FM – Hutchinson	Hutchinson Zoo Nights Before Christmas	Kaitlyn Mauro
2nd	KMAN-AM – Manhattan	Within Reason With Mike Matson – Boomtown	Mike Matson (On-Air Personality)
HM	KVOE, KVOE-FM – Emporia	Newsmaker: Data Center Developer Gary Pinkston	Ron Thomas (General Manager), Chuck Samples (News Director)
Special Program
1st	KAYS – Hays	Spin Doctors Interview	Jeff Leiker
2nd	KHAZ – Hays	Almost Willie	Theresa Trapp
HM	KKQY – Hill City	Game Day Live	Mike Holliday, Dustin Armbruster, Gerard Wellbrock, Jonathan Zweygardt
Sports Feature
1st	KANU, KANH, KANV and KANQ – Lawrence	Gary Woodland Finds Balance Between Health and Pro Golf	Greg Echlin, J. Schafer, Laura Lorson
2nd	KFRM – Clay Center	KS Sports Spotlite	Rocky Downing
Sports Play-by-play
1st	KFFX – Emporia	Emporia State Women’s Basketball vs Northeastern State – 1st Round MIAA Tournament	Blake Cripps
2nd	KINA – Salina	Devin Hanney	Devin Hanney (Sports Director)
HM	KFIX – Hays	Hays High Basketball	Dustin Armbruster
Spot News
1st	KVOE – Emporia	KVOE Spot News Redline Rupture Report	Chuck Samples (News Director), Ron Thomas (General Manager)
2nd	KGGF AM – Coffeyville	ISFR Kiwanis Corporate Challenge Buck Out Live Report	James Copeland (Talent), Shea Neal (Talent)
Station Excellence
1st	KGGF AM – Coffeyville	KGGF AM Station Excellence	John Leonard (General Manager), KGGF Staff (Talent)
2nd	KINA – Salina	KINA – A Beacon of Community Excellence	Chris Cadle (Program Director)
HM	KVOE – Emporia	1400 AM & 96.9 FM KVOE
Station Promotion Announcement
1st	KGGF AM – Coffeyville	Spring 2026 Severe Weather Promo	James Copeland (Talent/Producer), Matt Jordan (Talent), Kaleb Potter (Talent), Stefanie Brees (Producer), Chris Freund (Talent)
2nd	KGGF AM – Coffeyville	Open Line News Promo	James Copeland (Talent/Writer/Producer), Stefanie Brees (Producer)
HM	KANU, KANH, KANV and KANQ – Lawrence	Thousands Rally at No Kings Protest	Kaye McIntyre
Station Promotional Campaign
1st	KANU, KANH, KANV and KANQ – Lawrence	KPR’s Cinema a Go-Go Presents Flash Gordon	Darrell Brogdon
2nd	KANU, KANH, KANV and KANQ – Lawrence	KPR’s Cinema a Go-Go Presents Atomic Terrors of the 1950s	Darrell Brogdon
Station Website
1st	KXKU-FM – Hutchinson	www.adastraradio.com	Brenna Eller, Aaron Napier
2nd	KFRM – Clay Center	KFRM Website	Payton Tholstrup, Bethaney Phillips
HM	KAYS – Hays	Hays Post	KAYS News Department

Small Market Radio

Best Morning Show
1st	KHOK-FM – Great Bend	Mornings with Shannon and Evan	Shannon Towns (Co-Host), Evan Wedel (Co-Host)
2nd	KCLY – Clay Center	Mornings With Rocky & Jamie	Rocky Downing, Jamie Bloom
Commercial
1st	KLOE – Goodland	Paradise Spas Valentine Special	Joel Navarro (Operations Manager)
2nd	KJIL – Abilene	Fun Monday!	Linda Emig
HM	KDNS/KZDY – Glen Elder	Wholesale Liquor Remodel	Blake Housh (Production Manager), Lydia Housh (Station Manager)
Commercial Campaign
1st	KCLY – Clay Center	The Rex Theatre	Angie Komar, Clyde Presley, Dave Tappan
2nd	KJIL – Abilene	Artesian Valley	Linda Emig
HM	KDNS/KZDY – Glen Elder	Waconda Lake Fest 2026	Blake Housh (Production Manager), Lydia Housh (Station Manager)
Complete Newscast
1st	KRSL-FM – Russell	Complete Newscast – KRSL News 6-29-26 – Mike McKenna	Mike McKenna (General Manager)
2nd	KLOE – Goodland	From Kansas Roots to the National Stage: Lindy McMillen’s Farm Bureau Journey	Addison Stoddard (Farm Broadcaster)
HM	KLOE – Goodland	NWKS Radio News June 24th	Lucas Kenney (News Director)
Complete Severe Weather Coverage
1st	KLOE – Goodland	Severe Weather December 18, 2025	Joel Navarro (Operations Manager)
2nd	KRSL-FM – Russell	Complete Severe Weather Coverage – Mike McKenna and Erik Stone 6-8-26	Mike McKenna (General Manager), Erik Stone (On-Air / Marketing)
HM	KCLY – Clay Center	Tornado Coverage on May 18, 2026	Jamie Bloom
Complete Sportscast
1st	KCLY – Clay Center	KCLY AM Sports	Rocky Downing
2nd	KCLY – Clay Center	KCLY Evening Sports	Jayson Henderson
HM	KNZA – Hiawatha	Kanzaland Sportscast March 13, 2026	Brandon Tadtman (Sports Director)
DJ Personality Aircheck
1st	KRSL-FM – Russell	DJ Personality Aircheck – Mike McKenna 2026	Mike McKenna (General Manager)
2nd	KJIL – Meade	On the Light Side	Linda Emig (Mid Day Announcer)
HM	KCLY – Clay Center	The Vinyl Years	Rocky Downing, Jamie Bloom
Editorial/Commentary
1st	KJIL – Abilene	Not in the Drive Thru	Linda Emig
2nd	KJIL – Abilene	What Matters	Linda Emig
HM	KLOE – Goodland	250 Years of American Agriculture	Addison Stoddard (Farm Broadcaster)
Excellence in Diversity/Equity/Inclusion News
1st	KCLY – Clay Center	Lemon-Aid Program Helps Families of Suicide Victims	Shea Smith
2nd	KCLY – Clay Center	New Transitional Housing Project to Support Woman in Recovery and Their Children	Trish Svoboda
Excellence in Multimedia/Digital Promotional or Commercial Announcements
1st	KLOE – Goodland	Rock the Block Summer Promotion 2025	Kristina Hemel (Marketing Director)
2nd	KCLY – Clay Center	Clay County Arts Council-Swift Kik	Pete Garcia, Jamie Bloom
HM	KCLY – Clay Center	Kansasland Tire	Marty Wallace, Jamie Bloom
Excellence in Multimedia/Digital Storytelling
1st	KLOE – Goodland	Severe Weather Coverage May 16	Kristina Hemel (Marketing Director)
2nd	KCLY – Clay Center	Rolling Hills Zoo’s Baby Rhino Gets Name Inspired by Kansas City Chiefs	Trish Svoboda
HM	KLOE – Goodland	Goodland Homecoming 2025	Kristina Hemel (Marketing Director)
News Feature
1st	KLOE – Goodland	Honoring Agriculture’s Legacy: Three Inducted into the National Agriculture Hall of Fame	Addison Stoddard (Farm Broadcaster)
2nd	KRSL-FM – Russell	News Feature – Erik Stone Interview with Hays High Plains Barbershop Chapter 4-16-26	Erik Stone (On-Air / Marketing)
HM	KAIR – Atchison	Turkey Bowling 2025: City vs County vs State	Brian Hagen (News Director), Brent Schuler (Co-Host), Brandon Tadtman (Sports Director), Tom Kautz (Co-Host), Karla Kautz (Producer)
Public Affairs Program
1st	KCLY – Clay Center	On The Front Porch-Polly Windham	Rocky Downing
2nd	KDNS/KZDY – Glen Elder	Campfire Chats	Blake Housh (Production Manager), Lydia Housh (Station Manager)
HM	KLOE – Goodland	Pioneer Memorial Library celebrates 100 years	Kristina Hemel (Marketing Director)
Special Program
1st	KLOE – Goodland	Kansas Farm and Ranch Today	Addison Stoddard (Farm Broadcaster)
2nd	KLOE – Goodland	K-State’s Chris Klieman Retires	Ross Volkmer (Host), Connor Schuh (Co-Host)
HM	KDNS/KZDY – Glen Elder	Timeless Tuesdays	Blake Housh (Production Manager), Lydia Housh (Station Manager)
Sports Feature
1st	KRSL-FM – Russell	Sports Feature – State Champion Russell High School Girls Wrestling – 3-4-26	Erik Stone (On-Air / Marketing)
2nd	KCLY – Clay Center	The Locker Room Show-Cole Pladson Commits to OSU	Rocky Downing
HM	KMZA – Seneca	2A State Football Pregame Interview	Brandon Tadtman (Sports Director)
Sports Play-by-play
1st	KHOK-FM – Great Bend	Barton BB vs Coffeyville	Brant Daughtry (Sports Director )
2nd	KLOE – Goodland	Goodland Football vs Colby	Ross Volkmer (Play-By-Play), Dax Ruhs (Color Analyst )
HM	KNCK – Concordia	Sports Play-by-Play – Cloud County Community College vs Butler Community College Men’s Basketball	Austin McNorton (On-Air / Marketing / Sports), Trystan Green (On-Air)
Spot News
1st	KLOE – Goodland	Farm Bill Advances in House, Moves to Senate for Next Steps	Addison Stoddard (Farm Broadcaster)
2nd	KVGB-AM – Great Bend	GB Homicide Investigation	Steve Webster (KVGM-AM Morning Host)
Station Excellence
1st	KLOE – Goodland	KLOE RockIt 102.5	NWKS Radio KLOE RockIt 102.5
2nd	KRSL-FM – Russell	Station Excellence – So Much More Than a Radio Station	Mike McKenna (General Manager)
Station Promotion Announcement
1st	KLOE – Goodland	Rock the Block Promotion	Addison Stoddard (Farm Broadcaster)
2nd	KRSL-FM – Russell	Station Promotion Erik Stone 2025 Playoff Promo Round 2 11-3-25 MIXED	Erik Stone (On-Air / Marketing)
HM	KDNS/KZDY – Glen Elder	The Hire Wire	Blake Housh (Production Manager), Lydia Housh (Station Manager)
Station Promotional Campaign
1st	KLOE – Goodland	NWKS Radio Christmas Marketplace	Addison Stoddard (Farm Broadcaster)
Station Website
1st	KNCK – Concordia	Station Website – NCKToday.com	Caleb Lausen (News Director), Austin McNorton (On-Air Personality/Sports/Marketing), Linda Blanken (Marketing), Mike McKenna (General Manager)
2nd	KAIR – Atchison	MSC News Website	Brian Hagen (News Director), Greg Bebermeyer (News Reporter), John Nixon (News Reporter)
HM	KRSL-FM – Russell	Station Website – KRSL.com	Mike McKenna (General Manager), Erik Stone (On-Air / Marketing), Travis Hendryx (On-Air / Marketing), Lucas Kenney (Former News Director)