WEWS Garners Emmy, SPJ Awards For Investigative Coverage

WEWS Channel 5 took home seven awards at the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) 40th Emmy Awards show, which took place Saturday night in Cleveland.

NewsChannel5 Investigator Ron Regan earned three impressive awards for his work in the News Series, News Feature, and Individual Crafts categories.

"Ron is a rock solid journalist who has always delivered smart, in-depth investigations for our viewers," commented NewsChannel5 News Director Jill Manuel. "These awards are the result of his passion and versatility. This recognition of Ron’s work is very well-deserved."

WEWS also won big in non-news categories, earning Emmys for its "Living Green" and "Academic Challenge" productions. In all, three Channel 5 employees won Emmys in Individual Craft categories.

The Emmy Awards weren’t the only honors bestowed upon Channel 5; the Ohio Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) recently awarded Investigators Duane Pohlman and Ron Regan in the Crime, Governmental, and Individual Reporting categories.

"I’m proud of our dedicated employees who make our newscasts and programs a compelling experience for our viewers every day," added WEWS Vice President and General Manager Viki Regan. "From our investigative work to our local programming, WEWS has and always will provide northeast Ohio with the best news and entertainment programming in the region."

Channel 5’s complete list of 2009 awards are as follows:

2009 Emmy Awards

• Politics/Government - News Series: “30 Lifesaver,” Investigator Ron Regan
• Weather - News Feature: "Crumbling Levees-Silent Storm," Investigator Ron Regan
• Crafts: Research: "Results for Research," Investigator Ron Regan
• Public/Current/Community Affairs: "Living Green," Hollie Brubaker, Cynthia Edwards
• Teen Program/Special: "Academic Challenge," Steve Kurrent, Phyllis Sossi, Jason Nicholas
• Crafts: Director - Live or Live-to-Tape: "Academic Challenge," Steve Kurrent
• Crafts: Editor Short Form – Todd Kleckner

2009 Ohio SPJ Awards

• Best Governmental Reporting – 1st Place: "Democracy 2008," Chief Investigator Duane Pohlman
• Best Reporter – 1st Place: "Reporting for Results," Investigator Ron Regan
• Best Crime Reporting – 2nd Place: "Catalytic Criminals," Chief Investigator Duane Pohlman