The Allegheny Front staff won four awards from the Press Club of Western Pennsylvania during its 56th annual Golden Quill awards ceremony, presented virtually last night. In addition, six entries were finalists in various categories.
The Allegheny Front staff was also awarded four first place Keystone Media Awards for reporting from the Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association, announced in May. The awards “recognize journalism that consistently provides relevance, integrity and initiative in serving readers, and faithfully fulfills its First Amendment rights/responsibilities.”
First Amendment Award
The Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association also named The Allegheny Front, WESA and StateImpact Pennsylvania as recipients of the First Amendment Award for the news outlets’ efforts to publish the terms of a confidential 2018 settlement between a property owner and natural gas-driller Range Resources, after a Washington County judge issued a gag order. The news outlets prevailed, and Reid Frazier published the story.
Golden Quill Awards
Excellence in Audio Journalism for Investigative/Enterprise Reporting, Reid Frazier
A Golden Quill judge was “most impressed by the way [Reid Frazier] breaks down complicated topics into very understandable terms. Every piece has a great first person take.”
Finalists
How Did Fracking Contaminants End Up in the Mon River? A Loophole in the Law Might Be to Blame, Reid Frazier
Excellence in Audio Journalism for Science/Environment Reporting, Reid Frazier, Julie Grant, Kara Holsopple, Andy Kubis
Golden Quill judges praised the series for “covering a variety of topics, with well edited episodes that incorporate multiple sources and viewpoints.”
Excellence in Audio Journalism for Medical/Health Reporting, Kara Holsopple
Golden Quill judges noted the “beautiful ambient sound throughout this piece.”
Popular Backyard Fires Aren’t Fun for Everyone. Wood Smoke Is Bad for Your Health.
Excellence in Audio Journalism for Business/Technology/Consumer Reporting, Julie Grant
Golden Quill judges called this story “an eye-opening comprehensive report based on solid facts and a variety of points of view, sourced well.”
How Much Plastic Waste is Ending up in Rivers? This Penn State Researcher Wants to Know.
Finalist: Excellence in Audio Journalism for Spot/Breaking News
Coverage of the air pollution problems at the Clairton Coke Works in 2019 after the Christmas Eve fire of 2018, Reid Frazier and Amy Sisk, StateImpact Pennsylvania, WESA and The Allegheny Front
Finalists: Excellence in Audio Journalism for News Feature
Pa. Prosecutors Eye Potential ‘Environmental Crimes’ of Oil and Gas Companies, Reid Frazier
‘Razorblades and Feathers in My Throat’: The Impacts of Air Pollution From U.S. Steel’s Clairton Coke Works, Reid Frazier, The Allegheny Front
Keystone Media Awards
Best Investigative Reporting — First Place, Julie Grant
Some Ohio Citizens Who Complained About Oil and Gas Feel “Abandoned” by the State
Best Documentary – First Place, Julie Grant
Best Series – First Place, Reid Frazier, Julie Grant, Kara Holsopple, Andy Kubis
Best Continuing Coverage – First Place, StateImpact Pennsylvania, Reid Frazier of The Allegheny Front and Amy Sisk of WESA
