NCNN and WRAL-TV Win RTNDAC and Associated Press Awards

The Associated Press named the North Carolina News Network "Outstanding News Operation" for 1996. Judges honored the network for public service provided during Hurricane Fran.


For many people without electricity, battery-powered radio's were the only source of news in the aftermath of Hurricane Fran. The North Carolina News Network covered the storm with a long-term commitment to the people of North Carolina. NCNN provided more than just damage-reports, they concentrated on providing vital information the State's Emergency Response Team wanted people to know, information on how to apply for federal aid and where to go to find food, water and shelter.

Clayton Henkel prepares a newscast for network broadcast. Henkel is the hands-on manager of the award-winning NCNN which has been honored many times by journalism and broadcast groups for coverage and public service.

Steve Shumake gathers information for an upcoming broadcast. Shumake is the morning voice of the North Carolina News Network, which broadcasts a wide array of news and information to more than 90 radio affiliates with listeners in North Carolina, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.

Also at the Associated Press annual meeting, WRAL-TV received the Best Spot News Award for the station's exceptional coverage of last season's hurricanes.

At the Radio and Television News Directors Association of the Carolina's (RTNDAC) annual meeting, WRAL-TV won several awards.

David Crabtree was named RTNDAC's Journalist of the Year for 1996. In addition, Rick Armstrong won second place in the North Carolina Photojournalist of the Year and the WRAL-TV News Department won Best Documentary and Best General News. The North Carolina News Network won the RTNDAC award for Best Radio Spot News.