KSHB cleans up at KAB awards; WDAF, KMBC no-shows

Judging from the awards list, only KSHB and KCTV appear to have entered the Kansas Association of Broadcasters annual competition. I'm surprised KMBC didn't join; as for Fox 4's money problems, I think we're all aware of those.

KANSAS CITY, MO – August 28, 2009 – KSHB-TV has won seven Kansas Association of Broadcasters (KAB) awards, including “Station of the Year” and “Best Prime Newscast,” Vice President and General Manager Craig Allison announced today.

The NBC Action News Investigators garnered two KAB awards in the “In-Depth News Reporting” category. Russ Ptacek, Jill Jensen and Michael Butler were recognized for their investigation into fraudulent fish sold inside some metro restaurants. Keith King, Andy Pollard, Katrina McCann and Jensen were honored for their undercover investigation into online prostitution in Kansas City.

“The NBC Action News team works hard day in and day out to bring our viewers quality reporting that has an impact on the community. I’m really proud and excited for our entire news department and these are all well deserved honors,” Allison said.

Other NBC Action News 2009 KAB award winners include:

Single Topic Event News Coverage: Jeff Vaughn, Gregg Bourdon, Tom Babb – KCK Police Chase

Special Program: Jeff Vaughn, Jill Jensen, Mike Markewinski – Workers Wanted Wednesday: Assignment Jobs

In-Depth News Reporting: Jenn Strathman, Michael Butler – Deal or No Deal

The KAB Awards are the most recent major awards earned by the NBC Action News staff over the past year. NBC Action News won the coveted “Overall News Excellence” and “Best Evening Newscast” EMMY awards given by the Mid-America Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) last October. NBC Action News is once again nominated for the “Overall News Excellence” EMMY award, which will be handed out on October 3, 2009.

KCTV-TV was the only other Kansas City television station to win a KAB award for news coverage, acquiring one.