Congratulations to KWIT-KOJI: Siouxland Public Media and former intern Kayla Mayer for winning a National Edward R. Murrow Award from the Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA). The Le Mars native and 2018 of Gehlen Catholic High School spent the summer of 2021 at the station and recently graduated from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul. Kayla will soon start a full-time position as video news editor for KSTP-Television in the Twin Cities.
The winning story in the Student Excellence in Audio Hard News category highlighted food insecurity during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Kayla interviewed local organizations working together to provide hope for improvement in the community.
RTDNA awarded only a few radio stations national student awards. Kayla competed against young journalists from colleges and universities across the county. RTDNA will honor winners of the National and Student competitions during the Edward R. Murrow Awards Gala on October 10, 2022, at Gotham Hall in New York City.
This is the first National Edward R. Murrow Award for KWIT-KOJI: Siouxland Public Media that operates with a small staff to provide meaningful coverage to listeners in Iowa, South Dakota, and Nebraska. Last year, Siouxland Public Media picked up two regional Edward R. Murrow Awards for Writing and Overall Excellence for work completed in 2020.
* Information on resources to help fight food insecurity in Siouxland:
City of Sioux City Community Services Resource Guide: https://www.sioux-city.org/home/showpublisheddocument/21581/636874694847500000
Food Bank of Siouxland: https://www.siouxlandfoodbank.org/get-food
Midtown Family Community Center: https://www.facebook.com/Midtown-Family-695438367226682
Community Action Agency: https://caasiouxland.org/what-we-do/
