Officials with the Kentucky Broadcasters Association have announced the finalists for the 2025 Excellence in Broadcasting Awards.
Among them include three News Edge Media Group members.
Engineers and on-air talents Bill Booth and Tess Cowan are up for Best “Locally Produced Commercial,” thanks to their efforts on “Thunder Hockey” for WKTG-FM Radio. Other finalists include WSON AM/FM’s Brad Klein for “Bel Air Land — Coffee Order,” and Ben McCarty’s efforts through the Commonwealth Broadcasting Corporation.
Following his efforts in south western Kentucky, Edward Marlowe is up for “News Reporter of the Year.” Other finalists include Hannah Saad of WKMS-FM in Murray, and Lisa Autry of WKYU-FM in Bowling Green.
Finalists were selected by independent panels of professional broadcasters who reviewed and scored each entry.
Categories span radio, television and college broadcasting. Winners will be announced Sunday, September 14, during the KBA Annual Membership Conference at the Owensboro Convention Center.
RADIO FINALISTS
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Behind the Scenes: Kristen Martin (WXCM-FM), Brian Burkhart (WEKU-FM), Shelby Ashley (WKMS-FM)
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Broadcast Leadership: Mike Savage (WEKU-FM), Chris Houchens (Commonwealth Broadcasting)
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Locally Produced Commercial: Brad Klein (WSON), Tess Cowan & Bill Booth (WKTG-FM), Ben McCarty (Commonwealth Broadcasting – Glasgow)
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Morning Show: Mac Daniels & Ben McCarty (“The REAL Trader”), Brian Walker & Trisha Caudill (“Brian & Trisha”), Jason Crockett & Ken Heron (“JC and Ken Show”)
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News Reporter of the Year: Ed Marlowe (WKDZ-FM), Hannah Saad (WKMS-FM), Lisa Autry (WKYU-FM)
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On-Air Personality of the Year: Daniel Hurt, Wendy Barnett, Tracy Ross
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Overall Digital Presence: Heritage Media of Kentucky, WKMS-FM, WEKU-FM
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Overall Newscast/Coverage: WKYU-FM, WEKU-FM (“I-75 Shooter”, “Letcher County Judge Shot”)
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Rookie of the Year: Derek Parham (WKYU-FM), Will Perkins (Commonwealth Broadcasting – Glasgow)
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Special Program/Feature: Samantha Morrill (WMKY-FM), Michael Collins (WKYU-FM), Sam Dick (WEKU-FM)
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Sports Announcer of the Year: Nathan Lyttle (WSGS-FM), Sam Gormley (Heritage Media), Jay Turner (Commonwealth Broadcasting – Glasgow)
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Station of the Year: WCVK-FM, WKYU-FM, WEKU-FM
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Talk Show: “Beyond the Bench”, “Live at 5”, “Let’s Talk Racing”
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Uniquely Kentucky (Public Service): WCLU (Commonwealth Broadcasting – Glasgow), WEKU-FM, WBIO-FM
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Use of Streaming Video: Commonwealth Broadcasting – Glasgow, WLME-FM, Heritage Media of Kentucky
TV FINALISTS
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Behind the Scenes: Chris Bratton (WNKY-TV), Kathy Werner (WNKY-TV)
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Broadcast Leadership: Julie Milam (WNKY-TV), Kasey Freeman (WBKO-TV)
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Daytime Newscast: WLEX-TV, WLKY-TV, WKYT-TV
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Evening Newscast: WLKY-TV, WAVE-TV, WLEX-TV
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Locally Produced Commercial: WBKO-TV – multiple entries
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Meteorologist of the Year: Chris Allen, Matt Milosevich, Alexa Minton
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News Anchor of the Year: Caray Grace, Amber Philpott, Krista Spadaccini
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News Reporter of the Year: Alyssa Williams, Phil Pendleton, Logan Perrone
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Overall Digital Presence: WKYT-TV, WLKY-TV, WDRB-TV
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Rookie of the Year: Adi Schanie, Ajay Patel, Grant Henderson
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Special Program/Feature: WAVE-TV, WLEX-TV, WDRB-TV
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Sportscaster of the Year: Maggie Davis, Mason Horodyski, Kent Taylor
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Station of the Year: WLKY-TV, WLEX-TV, WKYT-TV
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Uniquely Kentucky (Public Service): WPSD-TV, WAVE-TV, WDKY-TV
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Videographer of the Year: Scott Eckhardt, Jon Black, Barton Bill
COMBINED CATEGORY FINALISTS
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Broadcast Sales: Tracy Mason Perry (WHOP-AM), Erin Graf (WKYT-TV), Jill Goodwin (WNKY-TV)
COLLEGE RADIO FINALISTS
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News Reporter of the Year: Brayden Wilson, Zacharie Lamb, Braeden Trent
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College Program of the Year: Murray State University
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Newscast/Coverage: Sydney Graham, Braeden Trent, Kadence Montgomery
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Overall Digital Presence: Murray State, Sydney Graham
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Special Program/Feature: Cole McIntire, Zoe Lewis, Sydney Graham
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Student Broadcaster of the Year: Zacharie Lamb, Zoe Lewis, Braeden Trent
COLLEGE TV FINALISTS
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News Reporter of the Year: Adi Schanie, Ree Kirksey
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College Program of the Year: Western Kentucky University – TV
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Newscast/Coverage: WKU – TV
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Overall Digital Presence: Murray State News – TV, WKU – “The Extra Point Digital”
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Special Program/Feature: WKU – “Dylan Black”, “Seminole”; Asbury University – “Quiet Before Flight”
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Student Broadcaster of the Year: Ryan Murphy, Cole McIntire
