Montana Public Radio received five E.B. Craney Awards from the Montana Broadcasters Association and the Greater Montana Foundation this year. The awards were announced June 13.
Josh Burnham won his third first-place award in four years for Radio Website of the Year for the MTPR website.
Musician’s Spotlight, hosted and produced by three time Craney winner John Floridis, received the top honor in the Non-Commercial Radio Program of the Year category.
The Write Question, produced and hosted by Sarah Aronson, was also a finalist for Non-Commercial Radio Program of the Year. Additionally, Aronson was a finalist for Commercial Radio Program of the Year for “We Leave the Flowers Where They Are: True Stories of Montana Women”, which she produced and hosted.
MTPR's Edward O'Brien was a finalist for Radio News Story of the year for his series on “The Legal Battle Over Vaping in Montana”.
“It’s great to see O’Brien’s dedicated coverage of this important issue recognized," MTPR News Director Corin Cates-Carney says. "Over months of reporting, O’Brien helped our listeners understand the legal fight between vape industry businesses and the state government.”
The E.B. Craney Awards recognize excellence in local news, production, promotion, programs and public service in both radio and television station across the state.
“I’m very proud of the great work being produced by our talented staff,” says Ray Ekness, director of the UM Broadcast Media Center that houses MTPR. "I’m thrilled that the judges could hear their passion for storytelling in the work."