OVERALL EXCELLENCE ENTRY FOR SIOUXLAND PUBLIC MEDIA: KWIT-KOJI RADIO
Siouxland Public Media informs the public by revealing the issues impacting the complexities of life in the tri-state area of Siouxland (Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota).
Siouxland Public Media is a small NPR affiliate station run independently from a state network. The staff consists of four full-time employees, including two journalists who also serve as on-air hosts. Volunteers assist with content and podcasts.
The past year (2021) brought a vast amount of coverage on the ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic (in five languages), diversity, social justice, politics, education, community attractions, and more.
SEGMENT LOG (all shortened segments except when noted)
:00 COVID-19 Memorial event
https://www.kwit.org/local-news/2021-03-02/heartbreak-and-insight-shared-during-covid-19-vigil
:30 Mask mandate fight for the Sioux City Community School District
https://www.kwit.org/local-news/2021-09-15/no-mask-mandate-for-sioux-city-schools
1:33 Disability rights organization threatens lawsuit over virtual learning accessibility
https://www.kwit.org/local-news/2021-09-16/local-advocate-says-the-vibe-academy-limits-some-students-with-disabilities
1:58 Portion of an interview with area school board member after the death of a long-time teacher and coach
https://www.kwit.org/local-news/2021-01-08/going-viral-siouxland-school-district-mourns-death-of-beloved-teacher
2:42 High vaccination rate for the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska
https://www.kwit.org/local-news/2021-02-03/the-winnebago-tribe-provides-hope-to-community-members-with-covid-19-vaccination-program
5:24 Clips of foreign language newscasts: Amharic, Vietnamese, Spanish, Somali, and Oromo (The program launched in 2020 to reach out to more in the community with COVID-19 and continued through a partnership with a local immigration organization in 2021)
https://www.kwit.org/featured-programs/2020-08-17/news-for-all
5:38 African Night preview
https://www.kwit.org/local-news/2021-08-06/upcoming-african-night-focuses-on-cultural-camaraderie
6:32 Diversity training with the president of Sioux City’s NAACP
https://www.kwit.org/local-news/2021-04-28/the-exchange-4-28-21-diversity-training-with-the-president-of-sioux-citys-naacp-ike-rayford
8:06 Food insecurity in Siouxland (special report by intern Kayla Mayer)
https://www.kwit.org/local-news/2021-09-21/feeding-siouxland-local-food-pantries-meet-increased-need
9:06 Tribal leaders raise concerns about the treatment of the homeless in Sioux City
https://www.kwit.org/local-news/2021-08-02/tribal-leaders-speak-to-sioux-city-council-about-downtown-homeless-camp-removal
9:43 Crime rates fall in Sioux City (segment from Best Newscast Entry)
https://www.kwit.org/local-news/2021-10-15/news-10-15-21-disability-rights-lawsuit-candidate-forum-freeze-warning-opening-night-more
10:02 Sioux City hosts national K-9 training event https://www.kwit.org/local-news/2021-08-05/intense-training-for-crime-fighting-canines-underway-in-sioux-city
10:38 Memorial walk for fallen Iowa State Trooper https://www.kwit.org/local-news/2021-05-10/memorial-walk-for-fallen-iowa-state-trooper
12:41 Local labor leaders raise concern over the use of COVID-19 relief money for new Woodbury County Law Enforcement Center (full report)
https://www.kwit.org/local-news/2021-08-24/local-labor-leaders-speak-against-using-coronavirus-money-for-new-jail-at-sups-meeting
14:40 Young members of the Omaha Tribe of Nebraska learn an artful cultural lesson (full report)
https://www.kwit.org/local-news/2021-09-01/meaningful-mural-young-members-of-the-omaha-tribe-connect-with-culture
19:08 Sioux City mother and school official talk about the evils of social media
https://www.kwit.org/podcast/spm-news-english/2021-12-14/bullied-sioux-city-mother-shares-her-daughters-story
20:37 Special broadcast addresses high pregnancy rates and sexually transmitted illness in Woodbury County, Iowa.
https://www.kwit.org/featured-programs/2021-09-02/the-exchange-native-americans-on-homelessness-the-law-enforcement-center-boarding-schools
20:53 Coverage of Sioux City Council candidate forum
https://www.kwit.org/the-exchange/2021-10-20/the-exchange-10-20-21-sioux-city-council-candidate-forum
21:58 Portion of an interview with young political pundit on inauguration day 2021 (follow-up to a 2020 Regional Murrow Award-winning story)
https://www.kwit.org/local-news/2021-01-20/interview-inauguration-day-perspective-from-young-political-pundit
23:00 Interview with the superintendent of Sioux City Schools surrounding plan by Iowa lawmakers to allow state spending for private schools
https://www.kwit.org/local-news/2021-01-27/interview-sccsd-superintendent-discusses-legislative-proposals-on-learning-school-choice
23:35 Interview with a Catholic school leader who supports funding for private schools
https://www.kwit.org/local-news/2021-01-29/interview-president-of-bishop-heelan-catholic-schools-supports-plan-for-private-school-funding
24:47 Sioux City Farmers Market opening day
https://www.kwit.org/local-news/2021-05-07/sioux-city-farmers-market-hopeful-for-a-successful-season-after-covid-19
https://www.facebook.com/KWITKOJI/videos/3604667583091237
24:57 Live program from the Sioux City Farmers Market
https://www.kwit.org/featured-programs/2021-06-07/the-exchange-from-the-sioux-city-farmers-market
24:22 Special documentary on the "Saturday in the Park Music Festival"
https://www.kwit.org/local-news/2021-07-07/the-exchange-7-7-21-the-sounds-and-solidarity-of-saturday-in-the-park-2021
https://www.facebook.com/KWITKOJI/videos/984531792372419
26:41 Public affairs show on Thanksgiving featuring history, food, and perspective of Native American leaders
https://www.kwit.org/show/the-exchange/2021-11-18/the-exchange-11-17-21
29:04 - Essay on Yankton tribal member who investigated crimes against the Osage in Oklahoma
https://www.kwit.org/featured-programs/2021-04-20/zitkala-sa-native-journalist-who-uncovered-murder-graft-and-exploitation
33:17 - Sample of weekly book review segment from the Sioux City Public Library
https:ß//www.kwit.org/show/check-it-out/2021-11-15/check-it-out-1491-new-revelations-of-the-americas-before-columbus-by-charles-c-mann
32:02 - Excerpt from Podcast “Fifty First Pages” hosted by employees of the Sioux City Public Library and produced by Siouxland Public Media’s station manager https://www.kwit.org/featured-programs/2021-08-10/finding-doors-to-stranger-worlds-a-conversation-with-v-e-schwab
35:27 – Essay from Sioux City brain surgeon who shares his journey to acquire the car of his dreams (this piece led to coverage from the Wall Street Journal)
https://www.kwit.org/local-news/2021-08-22/le-mans-man-siouxland-neurosurgeon-shares-journey-of-achieving-his-american-dream
Ride-along video clip on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=210499324378398
