The Georgia Associated Press, the Georgia Association of Broadcasters, and the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences honor WRDW News 12 during journalism awards programs in June.

Winners of the Georgia Associated Press Media Editors contest were announced Saturday, June 24, 2016, in Atlanta, with WRDW News 12 receiving 15 awards. WRDW won the Pacemaker Award for the fifth straight year for best overall performance for the television station in its broadcast division which encompasses Augusta, Savannah, Macon, and Albany.  The Pacemaker was also awarded to WSB TV and WABE Radio in Atlanta.

Aside from the Pacemaker, WRDW won 14 awards from the Associated Press Media Editors including Best Investigative Reporting, Best General Reporting, Best Sports, Best Spot News, and Best Website (wrdw.com).  First Place awards went to anchors Meredith Anderson, Christie Ethridge, Laura Warren, 12 On Your Side Reporter Liz Owens, as well as Sports Director Kevin Faigle, Chief Photographer Andrew Everett, Digital Content Executive Producer Lauren Hoar, Special Projects Producer Dylan Smith, and Estelle Parsley, who oversees WRDW’s news operation. “It’s a special honor to be recognized by your peers”, said Parsley, WRDW VP of News & Operations, who added, “The awards represent the work of some very talented individuals of News 12, as well as the talents of those behind the scenes. It’s a team effort.”

Earlier this month, on June 10, 2016, the Georgia Association of Broadcasters recognized WRDW as having the Best Newscast, Best Feature Reporting, as well as Best Use of Digital Platforms.  WRDW also won Best Sports for “Tee off to the Masters,” the station’s special programming featuring a look ahead at the year’s Masters Tournament. News 12 anchor Laura Warren received the Merit Award for “Best On Air Personality”.   Also, in June, the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences held its southeastern awards program June 11, 2016, in Atlanta.  News 12 anchor Meredith Anderson was nominated for an Emmy for Journalistic Enterprise. The Academy’s Southeast Chapter had earlier recognized Anderson, who anchors News 12 This Morning, for “On Camera Talent” excellence for her overall work as a reporter, and for excellence in the Investigative category.    

A complete list of News 12’s journalism awards for work produced in 2015:

Georgia Associated Press

Pacemaker Award for Best Overall Performance (Fifth Consecutive Year)
Best Spot News - (Liz Owens, Andrew Everett) “Hospice Care During Historic Flood”
Best Spot News Video - (Andrew Everett, Liz Owens) “Crumbling 5th Street Bridge”
Best Investigative Reporting - (Meredith Anderson, Dylan Smith, Estelle Parsley) “Missing Millions?”
Best General Reporting - (Christie Ethridge) “Family of 9 Home Destroyed by Fire”
Best Sports Feature Reporting - (Christie Ethridge) “Breath of Fresh Air: A Masters Transplant”
Best Sports - (Kevin Faigle, Andrew Schnitker) “Tee off to the Masters”
Best Use of Sound - (Laura Warren) “Songs for the Soul”
Best Website - (Lauren Hoar and News 12 Staff) “wrdw.com”
 
Georgia Associated Press Honorable Mentions

Best Newscast - (News 12 Staff) “News 12 at 6 O’clock”
Best Feature Reporting - (Liz Owens, Andrew Everett, Dylan Smith) “Marines Relives Okinawa on Veterans Day”
Best Specialized Reporting - (Christie Ethridge, Andrew Everett, Dylan Smith) “A Teacher’s Toll”
Best Weather Reporting - (Kevin Coskren, Scott Roberts) “October 1000-Year Flood in South Carolina”
Best Series Reporting - (Laura Warren) “Prison Beat Down”
Freedom of Information - (Christie Ethridge, Andrew Everett) “Marshall Square Under Fire”
 
Georgia Association of Broadcasters

Best Newscast - (News 12 Staff) “News 12 at 6 O’clock”
Best Feature Reporting or Series - (Brian Chojnacki) “Turning Adversity into Opportunity”
Best Sportscast or Sports Series - (Kevin Faigle, Andrew Schnitker) “Tee Off to the Masters”
Best Use of Digital Platforms - (Laura Warren, Lauren Hoar, Estelle Parsley) “Periscope Incorporated in News”

Georgia Association of Broadcasters Merit Award

Best On Air Personality - (Laura Warren)
 
National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Southeast Chapter

Emmy Nomination Journalistic Enterprise - (Meredith Anderson)
EMMA Excellence Investigative Report - (Meredith Anderson, Dylan Smith, Estelle Parsley) “Missing Millions?”
EMMA Excellence Promotion - (Dylan Smith, Estelle Parsley) “Back to School: You’ve Got This!”
EMMA Excellence Sports - (Meredith Anderson, Arthur Takahashi, Estelle Parsley) “Carl Jackson: Course of Life”
EMMA Excellence On-Camera Talent- Reporter - (Meredith Anderson)
 
National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Southeast Chapter Honorable Mentions

EMMA Excellence Investigative –(Christie Ethridge, Andrew Everett) “Marshall Square Fire”
EMMA Excellence Investigative – (Meredith Anderson, Arthur Takahashi, Estelle Parsley)  “Who’s Snoozing, Who’s Losing?”
EMMA Excellence Sports – (Meredith Anderson, Arthur Takahashi, Estelle Parsley) “Carl Jackson: Course of Life”
EMMA Excellence Promotion – (Dylan Smith, Estelle Parsley, Meredith Anderson) “Missing Millions?”
EMMA Excellence News Anchor – (Meredith Anderson)
EMMA Excellence Reporter- (Meredith Anderson & Laura Warren)