Delmarva Public Radio Wins Chesapeake AP Broadcasters Association Awards

SALISBURY, MD---From going behind the scenes on local festivals to a sensitive look at immigrants and refugees, stories told by Delmarva Public Radio (DPR) have earned praise from the Chesapeake Associated Press Broadcasters Association.

DPR (WSCL 89.5 FM and WSDL 90.7 FM) garnered six awards in the non-metro radio category during the association’s annual summer convention in Ocean City, MD. The stations, which broadcast from the Salisbury University campus, have won more than 40 awards in the past decade.

News Director Don Rush played a part in earning four of the honors. His “Craft Beer on the Eastern Shore” series won Outstanding Documentary/In-Depth Reporting, while his report on the inaugural Shore Craft Beer Festival in Ocean City, MD, earned the award for Outstanding Use of Sound.

With Charito Calvachi-Mateyko of the Delaware Hispanic Commission, Rush also reported on “Undocumented Entrepeneurs,” winning the award for Outstanding Enterprise Reporting. Coverage of Delaware’s Firefly Music Festival, which drew some 90,000 spectators and was partially interrupted by a lightning storm, won Outstanding Feature or Human Interest Story for the DPR team of Rush, Angela Byrd and Matt Forney.

“The excitement of the event, and the efforts organizers and fans made when faced with the poor weather made for an interesting and well-developed story,” judges said.

DPR essayist George Merrill received the Outstanding Editorial or Commentary award for his reflections on the Syrian refugee crisis. Former DPR host Kara Dahl Russell won the Outstanding Specialty Reporting category for her series "The Integrated Orchestra,” focusing on Black musicians and composers.

“Extensive information, varying stories and strong delivery skills across each entry make this series an incredibly enjoyable set,” the judges said.

“These awards are further evidence of not only the talent, experience and dedication which Don Rush, Delmarva Public Radio, and Salisbury University bring to the region's public airwaves, but also the important public service of an independent public radio news operation such as DPR,” said Dana Whitehair, the stations’ general  manager. “These accolades both humble us and make us proud.”

Delmarva Public Radio was selected for these honors from among some 70 radio and television stations in Maryland, Delaware and Washington, D.C. For more information call 410-543-6895 or visit the DPR website at www.delmarvapublicradio.net.