For immediate release
Chicago, IL - May 13, 2019
WTTW News is pleased to announce that five Wttw News/Chicago Tonight producers and on-air talent were honored with Peter Lisagor Awards for Exemplary Journalism by The Chicago Headline Club, the largest chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. The ceremony took place on May 10 at the Union League Club, and WTTW News was recognized in three categories:
- Nick Blumberg, Paris Schutz, Amanda Vinicky – Best News Specialty/Politics/Government News. The team was honored for The Choice for Governor: A WTTW News Special, two 30-minute documentaries on 2018 gubernatorial candidates J.B. Pritzker and his opponent, then-Gov. Bruce Rauner, which went beyond the day-to-day news of the race to take an in-depth look at the life experiences that shaped the candidates.
- Nicole Cardos – Best News Specialty/Arts/Culture/Entertainment News – Feature or Series. Cardos won for her story “Photographer’s ‘Scream Sessions’ Aim to Challenge Stereotypes,” a non-narrated piece about a photographer empowering woman to speak out by bringing them together to shout and let it out, and then capturing it on camera.
- Brandis Friedman – Best News Specialty/Education/Schools News. Friedman won for her story “FAFSA Verification an ‘Unfair Burden’ on Low-Income Students,” about the federal government’s decision to require more financial aid applicants for proof of their low-income status and how it has resulted in students leaving school.
Also a finalist in the Best News Specialty/Arts/Culture/Entertainment News – Feature or Series category was the WTTW special Art & Design in Chicago, by the team of Daniel Andries, Dan Soles, Liz Reeves, Paul Thornton, Kaitlynn Scannell and Shonna Pryor. The television program and accompanying website explore the contributions of Chicago’s artists and designers.
“We are thrilled that the stellar work of our journalists has been recognized with this prestigious award,” said Dan Soles, Senior VP and Chief Television Officer. “We thank the Chicago Headline Club for this honor.”
About CHICAGO TONIGHT
WTTW’s flagship nightly newsmagazine Chicago Tonight celebrated 35 years on the air in April 2019. Airing at 7:00 pm weeknights on WTTW11 and live-streamed on Facebook and YouTube, and online at wttw.com/news. The award-winning series hosted by Phil Ponce covers Chicago stories in politics, arts, science and technology, health, business, architecture, education, history, and more. The website features original reporting, extensive video content, a comprehensive archive of Chicago stories, and other special features. Audiences can connect with Chicago Tonight on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.
About WTTW
WTTW is the PBS member station in Chicago, committed to creating and presenting unique media content across distinct television and digital channels – WTTW11, WTTW Prime, WTTW Create/WTTW World, WTTW PBS Kids 24/7, wttw.com and the PBS/WTTW video app. Recognized for award-winning journalism and local productions such as Chicago Tonight, Chicago River Tour, Check, Please!, digital-first series Urban Nature and Foodphiles and national productions 10 That Changed America and Nature Cat, WTTW presents the very best in public affairs, arts and culture, nature and science, history and documentary, and children’s public media content. Connect with WTTW on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.
