WUFT wins five 2026 Region 13 RTDNA Edward R. Murrow Awards
Staff and student journalists from WUFT, the public media station operated by the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications (UFCJC), are the recipients of five Region 13 2026 Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) Edward R. Murrow Awards in five Radio Small categories.
In the Digital category, “The Price of Paradise” by Maria Avlonitis, Kimberly Blum, Sabrina Castro, Gabriella Chavez, Alex Land, Franklin Omar Lopez, Caia Reese, Nathan Thomas, Kat Tran and Luena Rodriguez-Feo Vileira, was recognized for an exploration of the boom of ecotourism in Costa Rica and the impact it has had on local residents.
WUFT’s Report for America Corps Member Rose Schnabel was recognized in two categories for a feature story and series.
In the Excellence in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion category, “Black farmers received ‘historic’ payout from the USDA six month ago. It didn’t fix everything,” Schnabel focused on minority-owned farms in Alachua County who received some of the $2.2 billion payout from the U.S. Department of Agriculture last July and on what the payment did and didn’t do. In the Excellence in Innovation category, “The Last Straw,” she explored the human and environmental costs of the pine straw industry in North Florida.
in the Excellence in Sound category, “Which came first, the bus or the car? WUFT reporters race from east Gainesville to Butler Plaza,” received the top honor. Student journalists Ailee Shanes and Sofia Dinka chronicled their trip to determine the fastest mode of transportation between two points in Gainesville.
In the Podcast category, “The Rundown” received first place. Hosted by Kristin Chermont Spina, the half-hour radio program and podcast takes a deeper look at the stories shaping North Central Florida, the Nature Coast and beyond.
Coaches and mentors for the winning entries included Ethan Magoc, Dave Barasoain, Cynthia Barnett, Kristin Chermont Spina, and Rose Schnabel.
The RTDNA Edward R. Murrow Awards are among the most prestigious in broadcast and digital news. Region 13 is comprised of media outlets from Florida, Georgia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Regional winners automatically move on to the national round of consideration.
National winners will be announced in August and celebrated at the Edward R. Murrow Awards Gala on Oct. 12 at Gotham Hall in New York City.
Category: Alumni News, College News, Student News
Tagged: Cynthia Barnett Dave Barasoain Ethan Magoc Kristin Chermont Spina Region 13 2026 RTDNA Edward R. Murrow Awards Rose Schnabel The Rundown WUFT
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