As the commonwealth continued to grapple with the fallout from multiple crises, from a resurgent pandemic to the violent tornadoes that tore through Western Kentucky, WUKY's news team delivered the most KBA-nominated entries of any Lexington radio station.
WUKY's Morning Edition anchor Karyn Czar easily led the way with a record-busting seven individual nominations, highlighting her reporting on the revival of local theater in the age of COVID-19 to one family's search for treasured mementos in the wake of a natural disaster.
Grabbing four nominations in categories spanning Best Anchor to Best News Documentary, News Director Alan Lytle won kudos for his collaborations with UK's Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History Director Doug Boyd spotlighting African-American trailblazers and documenting the lives and impact of Southern LGBTQ+ individuals.
Both WUKY reporters Josh James and Karyn Czar received nods for Best Political Coverage, while WUKY newcomer Arlo Barnette was recognized in the Short Serious News Feature category for his coverage of a rally to "Stop Asian Hate."
The entire WUKY news team also scored a nomination for Best Short Newscast.
The KBA Impact Broadcast Awards ceremony has been delayed, but a new date is set to be announced.
Below are the nominees and the categories:
- Karyn Czar: Short Light News Feature, "It's a Grand Night Once Again"; Short Light News Feature, "Kentucky Student Wins National Doodle for Google Contest"; Short Serious News Feature, "Needle in a Haystack"; Political Coverage; Long Light News Feature, "Lights Up: Live Theater Returning to Lexington"; Sports Reporting, "A Most Unusual Derby"; Radio Reporter
- Alan Lytle: Alan Lytle and Doug Boyd, "Saving Stories: Nunn Center's 'OutSouth' LGBTQ+ Oral History Collection A Matter of Pride"; Alan Lytle and Doug Boyd, "Saving Stories: UK great Jim Howe on Playing for Legendary Coach Bear Bryant"; Alan Lytle and Doug Boyd, "Saving Stories: Transforming Lexington - African American Trailblazers"; Radio Anchor
- Josh James: Political Coverage
- Arlo Barnette: Short Serious News Feature, "Atlanta Shootings Prompt 'Stop Asian Hate Rally' at UK"
- WUKY News Team: Short Newscast