University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications student journalists, alumni and staff from WUFT-FM and Noticias WUFT are among the 19 finalists in the professional and student divisions in the 25th annual Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) Sunshine State Awards competition.

Finalists in the professional division include:
First Amendment Foundation Freedom of Information Award: WUFT News Staff, “Cost of Sunshine”
Radio Best Newscast: Raymon Troncoso and Henry Coburn, “WUFT-FM Newscast 2018”
Radio General Coverage: WUFT-FM Staff, “Gilchrist County Deputies Killed”
Radio General Coverage: WUFT-FM Staff, “Hurricane Michael”
Radio Government and Politics Reporting: Amy Nelson, WUFT-FM, “Traffic Stop Politics”
Radio Government and Politics Reporting: Maria Roberts, “Ballot Signatures”
Digital Media Feature: Sara Girard, Rachel Mann and Aaron Zeiler, UF College of Journalism and Communications Pro Masters Students, “You Are Now Live”
Spanish Language – Mejor cobertura de desastres naturales en prensa escrita/digital: Noticias WUFT Staff, “Life After Maria”

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

First, second and third-place finishers will be announced at the annual SPJ Sunshine State Awards ceremony on July 20 in Fort Lauderdale.

Posted: June 4, 2019
Category: Alumni News, College News, Student News
Tagged as: 2019 SPJ Sunshine State Awards