WMRA Awards
WMRA has been the recipient of numerous awards for excellence over the years. Most come to us for the outstanding work of our news department from organizations that include the Public Media Journalists Association and the Virginia Association of Broadcasters.
2026 AWARDS
Public Media Journalist Association - FIRST PLACE for Continuing Coverage: "What's changing with ICE operations in our area?"
A selection of 11 stories from WMRA's ongoing coverage of the local impacts of changes in national immigration policy and practice in 2025, including reporting from Randi B. Hagi and Calvin Pynn on:
- How local law enforcement agencies work with ICE,
- What the data show about the supposed criminality of detainees, versus officials' claims about preserving public safety, and
- The saga of one young family who fled to the U.S. from gang violence in Central America, only to have the father detained despite his lack of criminal record.
Public Media Journalist Association - FIRST PLACE for Government/Democracy Feature: Statewide candidates convene in Buena Vista for Labor Day.
Meredith McCool's coverage of Winsome Earle-Sears and Abigail Spanberger's campaign standoff at the Glen Maury Park pavilion, including some local residents' fiery reactions to the candidates.
Public Media Journalist Association - SECOND PLACE for Use of Sound: Jazz musicians, costumed performers lead pro-democracy parade in Charlottesville.
Meredith McCool's immersive story of a New Orleans-style funeral march on the downtown mall, where artists mourned what they saw as a loss of civil liberties in America.
2025 AWARDS
Virginia Association of Broadcasters - FIRST PLACE for Investigative Reporting Radio: Virginia cuts essential patient care software provided to local EMS.
Virginia Association of Broadcasters - SECOND PLACE for Outstanding News Series: The little log house and the search for Edmund Cabell.
Public Media Journalist Association - FIRST PLACE for Investigative Reporting (Division A): Virginia cuts essential patient care software provided to local EMS.
2024 AWARDS
Virginia Association of Broadcasters - SECOND PLACE for Outstanding Newscast Radio: Kimberlea Daggy's newscast during All Things Considered on December 13, 2023.
Virginia Association of Broadcasters - SECOND PLACE for Outstanding News Series Radio: The Big Tree Tour: National Champions Growing in WMRA's Backyard.
Public Media Journalist Association - FIRST PLACE for Climate/Environment Feature (Division A): The big tree tour continues: the colossus of Nelson County.
2023 AWARDS
Virginia Association of Broadcasters - SECOND PLACE for Best Investigative Reporting: A complex 'Nexus': Activists, multiple lawsuits and reality TV.
Virginia Association of Broadcasters - SECOND PLACE for Outstanding Newscast Radio: Kimberlea Daggy's newscast during All Things Considered on December, 16th, 2022.
2022 AWARDS
Public Media Journalists Association - FIRST PLACE for 2021 Spot News Coverage: They're Tired, They're Exhausted.
Virginia Association of Broadcasters - FIRST PLACE for Best Investigative Reporting: Prisons, the for-profit companies that serve them, and the families who pay.
Virginia Association of Broadcasters - SECOND PLACE for Outstanding News Series: Questions remain after two suicides at Harrisonburg jail.
2020 AWARDS
Virginia Association of Broadcasters - FIRST PLACE for Outstanding Feature Reporting: A Day in the Life of Highland County's Sheriff.
Virginia Association of Broadcasters - SECOND PLACE for Best Human Interest Series:Staunton High Schooler Wins National Song Writing Award.