University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications student journalists, alumni and staff from WUFT-TV/FM and Noticias WUFT were honored in the 25^th annual Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) Sunshine State Awards competition. A total of 18 awards were received in both professional and student divisions for work on radio, television, print and online.

Winners in the professional division include:
Finalist: First Amendment Foundation Freedom of Information Award, WUFT News Staff, “Cost of Sunshine”
Second Place: Radio Best Newscast, Raymon Troncoso and Henry Coburn, “WUFT-FM Newscast, 2018”
First Place: Radio General Coverage, WUFT-FM Staff, “Hurricane Michael”
Third Place: Radio General Coverage, WUFT-FM Staff, “Gilchrist County Deputies Killed”
Second Place: Radio Government & Politics Reporting, Amy Nelson, “Traffic Stop Policies”
Third Place: Radio Government & Politics Reporting, Maria Roberts, “Ballot Signatures”
First Place: Mejor Cobertura de Desastres Naturales en Prensa Escrita/Digital, Noticias WUFT Staff, “Después de Maria”

Winners in the student division include:
Third Place: Best News Photo, Kaitlin Hall, “Decision Day 1”
First Place: Best Feature Story, Kaitlin Hall, “Concern Feeds Her Passion”
First Place: Best Profile, Gabriella Paul, “Lawrence Fowler: A Retired Vet Turned Coaster Connoisseur”
First Place: Best Video, Mackenzie Behm, “Florida Voices | Brad Kendell, Sailing Forward”
Second Place: Best Video, Brianna Barone, “Peak Florida”
Third Place: Best Video, Mackenzie Behm & Emily Netburn, “Florida Voices | Carlton “Blixx” Barber, The Tiny Terror”
First Place: Best Multimedia Feature, WUFT.org Staff, “Peak Florida”
Second Place: Best Multimedia Feature, WUFT News Staff, “Locked Out”
Third Place: Best Multimedia Feature, WUFT News Staff, “Vote 2018”
Second Place: Best Coverage of Race and Minorities, WUFT News Staff, “Silenced”
First Place: Best Disaster Reporting: WUFT News Staff, “Life After Maria”

The Society of Professional Journalists Sunshine State Awards recognizes the best in Florida journalism. Out-of-state journalists chose first, second, and third place honors in each category. The winners were announced at the 2019 Sunshine State Awards ceremony on July 20 in Ft. Lauderdale.

Posted: July 22, 2019
Category: Alumni News, College News, Student News
Tagged as: 2019 SPJ Sunshine State Awards