KFVS12 receives Missouri Broadcasters’ honors

CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO – KFVS12 received nine awards at the 2018 Missouri Broadcasters’ Association Awards held June 2 at the Lodge of the Four Seasons at Lake of the Ozarks. The MBA Awards consist of entries in dozens of categories from television and radio stations serving viewers and listeners in Missouri.

In the category of Best News Anchor, Jeff Cunningham won first place for his work on Heartland News at Five, Six, and Ten.

“It’s nice to be recognized for this award,” said Cunningham. “We have a great team here at KFVS12 and we’re blessed with loyal viewers who make this possible.”

KFVS12 also won first place honors for Heartland News coverage of the Marshall County school shooting in the categories of Breaking News and News Series.

“We hope we never have to cover a story like that again,” said Roger Seay, News Director for Heartland News on KFVS12. “But I’m proud of the way our newsroom responded to cover this tragedy in a responsible and sensitive way.”

In the category of Best Coverage of a Breaking Weather Event, KFVS12’s First Alert Weather Team won first place for their coverage of the 2017 Perryville tornado.

According to Perry County, Missouri, officials, KFVS12’s reporting before and during the severe weather is credited for saving numerous lives.

“It was a night I’ll never forget,” said Grant Dade, Chief Meteorologist for KFVS12. “Nothing we do at KFVS12 is more important that keeping our viewers safe. It’s always been that way and it always will.”

Following up on the Perryville tornado event, KFVS12 also won first place for Best Public Service Campaign for its “Heartland Cares Tornado Relief” efforts that included soliciting donations to the Red Cross and promoting a region-wide food drive to help victims and first responders.

Other first place honors were received in the category of Best Documentary/Public Affairs Program for “A Heartland News Investigation: Safety In Our Schools.” The half-hour special aired on the 20th anniversary of the Heath High School shooting and dealt with security and safety issues in area schools. It was produced by Assistant Heartland News Director Robbyn DeSpain.

In the category of Best Convergent Media, KFVS12 won first place for “The Case Against Clay Waller.”  The multi-part series was hosted by News Anchor Crystal Britt, produced by Digital Content Manager Amber Ruch, and edited by Multi-Media Journalist Bill Allen. The series was presented on the KFVS12 Roku digital platform.

In the category of Best Station Promotion, KFVS12 won first place for it’s promotion of the “Heartland Unsolved” news segments that investigate significant local cold cases.

In the category of Best Local Website, KFVS12’s “Heartland Weekend” won honorable mention for the recently launched HeartlandWeekend.com web site created and hosted by Nichole Cartmell.

“The thrill for all of us at KFVS12 is that, year after year, we provide our viewers with critical local news and information, and we help make local businesses successful with effective, affordable advertising,” said KFVS12 Vice President and General Manager Chris Conroy. “In the process of offering those services, it’s truly humbling to be honored with these industry awards.”