Buffalo, NY – WNED was honored with two 2008 awards from the New York State Associated Press Broadcasters Association, adding to its collection of more than 22 recent AP recognitions. WNED-AM 970 News Director Jim Ranney accepted the latest awards at the Association’s banquet on June 6 in Saratoga Springs. He also was elected 1st Vice President of the NYSAPBA Board.

The AP awards honor the best in radio and television journalism across the state. WNED competes in “Class 2 Radio,” consisting of both commercial and public radio stations in Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse and the Capital District (Albany area).

“As a nonprofit with an emphasis on community service through broadcasting, WNED consistently places among the top news organizations in the state,” said Ranney. “These awards are a testament to the professional and talented journalists and producers who work hard every day providing local news coverage and insightful documentaries for our listeners.”

WNED received the First Place award in the “Best News Series” category for the oral history series Uncrowned Queens: Voices of African-American Women. Produced by WNED in conjunction with the Buffalo-based Uncrowned Queens Institute, this 13-part series highlighted the accomplishments and viewpoints of exceptional African American women. The judges called it “a creative idea indeed.”

Host Lorna C. Hill and Geoff Allen produced the series. Stratton Rawson of WNED and Sonja D. Williams, Chair of the Department of Radio, Television, and Film at Howard University, served as Executive Producers. Peggy Brooks-Bertram, Dr. P.H., Ph.D., and Barbara A. Seals Nevergold, Ph.D. of the Uncrowned Queens Institute were Consulting Producers. The project was funded by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, with support from BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York and Rich Products.

In addition, the AM 970 news team received a Special Mention in the “Best Continuing News Coverage” category for comprehensive coverage on the death of former Buffalo Mayor James Griffin. Background reports included numerous interviews and a review of Griffin’s life and legacy.  In addition to Ranney, Senior Reporter/Producer Mike Desmond and Reporter/Anchors Chris Caya, Mark Leitner and Jay Moran contributed.