WVUE Earns Two National Journalism Awards, Again

By Paul Greeley
817-578-6324, Paul@NewsBlues.com

WVUE, Gray’s Fox affiliate in New Orleans, earned two awards for 2024 from the Society of Professional Journalists, the nation’s most broad-based journalism organization, dedicated to the free flow of information and protecting free speech.

The SPJ, located in Indianapolis, IN, has a membership of close to seven thousand journalists.

WVUE was awarded first place in the “Television Breaking News, All Markets” category for breaking news coverage of the Slidell, La. severe weather outbreak that spawned tornadoes and caused localized flooding throughout the viewing area in April of 2024.

One judge remarked: “An outstanding team effort providing critical information. It includes a strong open with a great get in use of the officer’s video cam, compelling eyewitness interviews, and excellent use of both drone video and live shots.”

“We take our responsibility covering severe weather threats very seriously,” says Mikel Schaefer, WVUE’s GM. “We are very proud of our teams critical work that day and really appreciate and are humbled by the SPJ’s recognition for both breaking news and our investigative reports.”

Lee Zurik, Gray’s Senior VP of News Strategy and Innovation, along with his FOX 8 investigative team, Jon Turnipseed and Dannah Sauer, received top honors in the “Television Investigative Reporting, Small Market” category for their investigative series “Outside the Office”.

The series focused on the current mayor of New Orleans and her relationship with a former NOPD officer assigned to her security team. When this investigation was produced, Lee Zurik was Chief Investigative Reporter for FOX 8.

Of this series, one judge wrote, “This had me hooked from start to finish. Well packaged with footage, official city documents, emails, timesheets, all very compelling.”

“This recognition reflects the life-saving coverage and impactful journalism our team delivers every day,” says Kristen Palestina, WVUE’s news director.  “We’re proud to serve our community with reporting that informs and protects–especially in critical times of severe weather.”