SW New Mexico News

The New Mexico Broadcasters Association (NMBA) has announced the winners of its 2024 Excellence in Broadcasting Awards. New Mexico State University’s KRWG public broadcasting station secured eight awards, including Station of the Year in radio for KRWG-FM.

"I'm so grateful for the dedication our team shows every day," said Adrian Velarde, general manager of KRWG public media. "This recognition is a wonderful reminder of their incredible talent and commitment."

The NMBA selected the 2024 award-winners from submissions by broadcasters throughout New Mexico for work completed during 2023. KRWG competes statewide in the television category and in the large market category for radio. NMSU’s student newscast, News 22, also received four collegiate awards.

In the large market radio awards, KRWG staff earned the Station of the Year Award. Four KRWG staffers won the Complete Newscast Station Award for their coverage of election results and economic development on the border. Anthony Moreno served as content director, K.C. Counts anchored the coverage, while Jonny Coker and Scott Brocato were reporters.

Brocato earned three additional awards: the Continuing Coverage Award for “Book Ban Battle,” Specialty Show award as host for “Voice of the Public: Housing Challenges” along with engineer Mark Johnson, and Talk Show or Interview Award for his interview with a state lawmaker discussing abortion care in New Mexico.

Coker also received the Feature News Award for his piece on “Official State Aroma.”

Moreno and digital media specialist Angelina Malone earned the Website Award for KRWG Public Media Online. Malone also won the Social Media Integration Award for “Talkin’ Tamales – on air and everywhere.”

NMSU’s News 22 students recognized include Daniel Espinoza for Collegiate Feature Reporting on “Sweet Pea the Giant Tortoise,” Jennifer Hazlett for Collegiate News General Reporting on “Female Wrestling in Las Cruces,” Noah Apodaca as Collegiate Weathercaster, and News 22 students and staff who earned the Collegiate Newscast Award.

The awards will be presented at NMBA's Annual Convention on June 21 in Albuquerque.

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CUTLINE: Members of NMSU’s KRWG Public Media won various awards from the New Mexico Broadcasters Association. From left: Jonny Coker, Angelina Malone, Scott Brocato, K.C. Counts, Anthony Moreno, and Mark Johnson. The awards will be presented as part of NMBA's Annual Convention June 21 in Albuquerque. (NMSU photo by Josh Bachman)