OETA was well-represented during the statewide Society of Professional Journalists Awards winning nine awards, including five awards for first place. The ceremony was held May 19 in Tulsa.
Lis Exon and Tim Carson were awarded first place in the General News category for their piece “Sheriff’s Lawsuit” and second place in the same category for “Immigration Fears.”
Bob Sands and Aaron Byrd were awarded first place in the Investigative and In-depth Enterprise Reporting category for their piece, “Oil Wars,” as well as second place in the same category for “Coal Ash Pollution.”
Lis Exon and Tim Carson earned first place in the Criminal Justice and Government Reporting category for their piece, “Women in Prison.”
Robert Burch, Collin Fowler, Ryan Lorg, Bill Perry and Dave Tamez earned first place in the Documentary category for the piece, “Back in Time: Oklahoma Martyr.” They were also awarded first place in the Special Program category for the piece titled “Back in Time: One Big Family.”
Steve Bennett and Aaron Byrd earned second place in the category of Diversity Coverage for their piece, “DACA Rescinded.”
Bob Sand and Aaron Byrd were awarded third place in the Health Reporting category for the piece titled “DoverH2S.”