KUAF Journalists Win State and National Awards for Reporting

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KUAF and Ozarks at Large reporters Jacqueline Froelich, Anna Pope and Rachell Sanchez-Smith were recognized at the Arkansas Press Women’s annual Communications Contest in May 2023.

Three journalists with KUAF, the local National Public Radio affiliate for Northwest and western Arkansas, took home statewide awards from the Arkansas Press Women Communication Contest and national awards from the National Federation of Press Women. Winners were announced at a June 24 banquet during the annual convention of the federation in Cincinnati.

Jacqueline Froelich, Anna Pope and Rachell Sanchez-Smith won awards for their reporting and production of news stories for KUAF’s daily, locally produced news program, Ozarks at Large. Froelich, senior producer with KUAF, won first place in Radio and Television for her prepared report “‘Make or Break Year’ for Hemp Farming in Arkansas.”

Pope, growth impact reporter with KUAF, won second place in Radio and Television for her prepared report “Population Growth Prompts Expanding Water Infrastructure” and third place for “Seeing More Waste, ‘Spread Thin’ Forest Staff Encourages Conservation Guidelines.”

Sanchez-Smith, reporter and producer with KUAF, won first place in Radio and Television for her on-the-scene report “Advocates Organize to Spread Awareness About Overdose Epidemic: ‘Can You See Me Now?’” Sanchez-Smith also won first place in Radio and Television for her interview “The Future of Contraceptives.” 

First-place winners in the APW Communications Contest were eligible to advance to the National Federation of Press Women competition if they were members of NFPW. National winners were announced at the conclusion of the NFPW conference in June. The awards recognized work published or broadcast in the 2022 calendar year.

Froelich was awarded second place for her prepared report in Radio and Television, and Sanchez-Smith was awarded second place for her on-the-scene report and honorable mention for her interview, both in the Radio and Television category. 

The national competition awards sweepstakes recognition for the individual and the state affiliate that receive the most points. For the first time since affiliate sweepstakes awards have been awarded, the Arkansas Press Women affiliate won the sweepstakes award. The sweepstakes winner is determined by the number of entries from the affiliate that place in the national contest. Arkansas received the sweepstakes award as the state affiliate accruing the most points. 

This story also appeared in the University of Arkansas News publication.