EP stations reap AP awards

 KVIA-TV (ABC Ch.7) topped the list of honors scoring no fewer than seven major awards in this year's Texas Associated Press Broadcasters 2008-2009 television competition. KVIA's Good Morning El Paso won first place in the Best Morning Newscast category. The station's morning meteorologist, Amber Sullins, received top honors in the Best Weathercast category while its 10 p.m. newscast won the second-place award for Best Newscast. KVIA's Web site won the top spot in the Best Web Site category. El Paso TV stations compete in Division 3 against stations in similar-sized Texas markets. The TAPB also holds a competition for radio news. However, not one single El Paso radio station competed this year. Since the demise of KROD-AM'S morning news program last year, no locally-produced radio newscast exists in El Paso - an absolute shame for a city this size. Other El Paso TV stations won top honors. Here's the list of El Paso winners:

Best Morning Newscast: KVIA, 1st place

Best Newscast: KVIA, 2nd place

Best Weathercast: KVIA, 1st place, Amber Sullins

Best News Anchor/Team: KINT, 2nd place. Karla Mariscal

Best Best Spot Story/Individual: KVIA, 2nd place. Rachel Abell & David Moreno

Best Feature Story/Serious: KVIA, 1st place. Martin Bartlett & C.J. Holguin

Best Feature Story/Light: KFOX, 1st place. Rudy Reyes. Honorable Mention: KVIA, Ken Molestina & Ozzie Carrillo.

Best Photojournalism/ Station: KFOX, 1st place.

Best Photojournalism/Individual: KFOX, 1st place. Rudy Reyes. KTSM, 2nd place. Eddie Romero

Best Series: KINT, 2nd place. Karla Guevara & Daniel Gallarzo

Best Specialty Beat Reporting: KVIA, 2nd place. Ric Dupont

Best Reporter: KFOX, 1st place. Daniel Novick

Best Continuing Coverage: KTSM, 2nd place

Best Web Site: KVIA, 1st place

For a complete list of Texas Associated Press Broadcasters winners, click here.

Comments

[indaknow]

That's eight awards for KVIA, Roy.

[Roy Ortega]

That's seven major awards for KVIA - one Honorable Mention. I guess I could have lumped them all together. It certainly would have looked better for KVIA.
-Roy Ortega

[indaknow]

El Paso stations always represent good work in journalistic and creative excellence. If you were to look back at the awards since 2006. That year the markets were rearranged and El Paso (market 98) has been in category three in the TAPB contest. El Paso competes against stations in Waco-Temple, , Weslaco, Harlingen, McAllen-Brownsville, Tyler-
Longview, Jacksonville, Shreveport, Nacogdoches, Lufkin, Texarkana, Bryan-College Station. All three years, the El Paso market has come out with the most awards out of any market. Although, the gap is closing.

[WHO GIVES??]

kudos to everyone.

[don't worry be happy]

I disagree with KVIA having the best web site. It's ok in general, but have you read any of the stories posted by their web people? There are tons of errors in spelling and even facts. Yesterday, they attributed the information about Pebble Hills Elementary School to new El Paso Independent School district super Michael Zolkowski. He happens to be the new Ysleta ISD super and Pebble Hills is in YISD. This is just one of many errors to be found. Spelling is one thing but getting basic facts wrong should never be tolerated from a news organization.

[jman]

I agree with don't worry be happy. El Paso TV Web sites vary in the quality of their look and usability. But one thing in which they're all on the same level is the quality of their content, which typically sucks.

I will give props to KTSM for making great strides on their Web site and its content.

[Smails]

I told you Amber Sullins is the best thing going on local TV.

[aye]

El Paso competes against stations in Waco-Temple, , Weslaco, Harlingen, McAllen-Brownsville, Tyler-
Longview, Jacksonville, Shreveport, Nacogdoches, Lufkin, Texarkana, Bryan-College Station.

And El Paso didn't "sweep"??

Pretty much says it all. We suck.

[mick]

KVIA won a Web Site award? You have got to be kidding me. It looks so last century. Like some other poster said on a previous blog it looks like a chain link fence after a windstorm with colorful debris plastered all over it. Plus it's not user friendly.

[epnuzguy]

Sorry indaknow and Roy...I wouldn't count an "honorable mention" as an award. While KVIA was recognized in eight categories, they placed first or second in seven of them.

[indaknow]

epnzguy, that honorable mention is worthy of recognition. Take it from a person who has judged entries in this contest and who has won several awards in both New Mexico and Texas. I was only trying to be fair and I have no preference of any station. Unlike Roy who LOVES KVIA. It's apparent in his blogging. Which is fine, that's what a blog is for. Although some of his statements are unfair given the fact that he doesn't pay enough attention to ALL the players in the market. I am a BiG Fan of the El Paso market.

[el rockero]

Congrats to Rudy & Eddie, two of the city's best photographers and more importantly, two quality individuals!!!

[nunya]

I understand that this is a blog, but as a journalist, Roy, you really should be a little more fair in your blogging.

I see that KFOX won four first place awards and not a single mention...

I'm not sure your qualm, Roy, with giving other stations some credit. And you mentioned on an earlier blog that Estela is your new hero for taking a furlough? Try the janitor or the editor, someone that really can't afford to take the furlough... that should be your hero.

While, I'm at it, KVIA gets things late and wrong all the time. And if I see another story straight off Poynter or three weeks after other stations do it, it's going to drive me crazy.

[We won 4 awards darn it]

Yeah Roy! Why didn't you mention KFOX won some awards too! Oh, you did. Nevermind.

[don't worry be happy]

Roy, just learned you were laid off today from the El Paso Times. Sorry to hear it. Good Luck. Here's a toast to you with a glass of Merlot!

[Pam Miller]

Why Roy Ortega

[indaknow]

As I mentioned before, Roy doesn't pay attention to everyone as much as he should. KDBC's Jessica Moran received recognition for best sportscast. He didn't mention it in the list. She received an honorable mention award. KVIA also got an honorable mention award and Roy listed that award above. I have learned to take what Roy says with a grain of salt. He writes about the media and has worked in the local media but he definitely is NOT an expert in local media. I am not saying that I am. But please don't read this blog or his articles thinking that he is.

[nunya]

Roy, heard you got canned today... maybe if you had stuck to writing news instead of your terrible opinions on a buried blog you would have been seen as more of an asset to EPT.

[Gary Clarke]

I am sadden to hear of your departure. Good luck and God bless you Roy. Better things wait for you.

[Chicho Jones]

Roy Ortega gets the last laugh. You suckers in the El Paso news media will continue to toil in a dying industry, dropping one by one like dead flies with little or no support while Roy sits back and enjoys his comfortable retirement supplemented by his 30 years of wise investments and the love and support of his family. It's just a matter of time before the ax falls on the rest of you sorry souls.

[indaknow]

How would someone other than Roy know about his wise investments and mention his family. Either "chicho jones" is Roy or it's one of his family members. I do wish Roy the best. I don't wish ill will to anyone in this economy. Who knows. Maybe there won't be a media blog write about since we wont have any news media left?

[Chicho Jones' brother]

While we're outing people, I'm guessing "indaknow" is Israel Balderas and "nunya" is Celina Avila.

The rest of us ... we're going to miss you Roy. The Times is losing a great blog.

[Smails]

Why is Roy the one that has to take the short haircut? I can think of a number of others at the Times who should go first.

[indaknow]

Hey Chicho Jone's Brother,
So I guess I was right. You were way off on my identity but keep trying. I don't hate Roy. Roy is a wise man and hope to follow in his footsteps. Apparently, he was ready for this day a long time ago. I want to retire without major worries. Unfortunately, a lot of people are being let go and they aren't ready financially for the situation. I was just pointing out some facts. I do hope the blog does not go away. I have more insightful facts to contribute.

[avid reader]

Dear Roy I am so sorry to hear that the Times is letting you go. I do wish you well and I will keep you and your family in my prayers. Keep your chin up, your best days lie ahead. I really enjoyed your blog. Definitely the most interesting blog on this site.