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WDSU News has been honored with a Sigma Delta Chi award by the Society of Professional Journalists.
WDSU News received this national award for its breaking news coverage of Hurricane Ida in the category “Television Breaking News , Large Market.” The Society of Professional Journalists describes the Sigma Delta Chi award as “ among the premiere prizes given in the profession , recognizing achievement in professional journalism in its many forms ”.
This is the second year in a row that WDSU has been awarded top honors for the “Breaking News , Large Market” category.
This year, the honor was given to WDSU News for its coverage of Hurricane Ida which made landfall in Southeast Louisiana on Aug. 29, 2021.
Spear-headed by WDSU News anchors Sula Kim, Travers Mackel, Randi Rousseau, Chad Sabadie and Gina Swanson, coverage consisted of multiple reporters throughout the region providing minute-by-minute updates on conditions as the storm made landfall and the damage left behind.
This was in collaboration with New Orleans’ certified “Most Accurate” weather forecast team, WDSU Weather, led by chief meteorologist Margaret Orr, along with meteorologists Damon Singleton and Lee Southwick.
Together, WDSU News and Weather offered 79 continuous hours of coverage before, during, and after the hurricane. “WDSU is committed to keeping our communities safe during breaking news and weather events,” said Mike Neelly, WDSU president and general manager. “As broadcast journalists, our charter and mission is to serve Southeast Louisiana.
It's a great honor to be recognized by our peers across the country as best-in-class at providing important, accurate information when lives are at risk.” “This national award recognizes the extraordinary work our newsroom puts forth to serve our community,” WDSU news director Melissa Dart said. “Our core mission is to provide the most accurate and up-to-date information, especially when our residents are in danger.
I’m honored to work with a team who truly lives our mission every day and steps up when our community needs it the most.” Click here to see WDSU News’ award submission as well as all the category winners of the 2021 SPJ Sigma Delta Chi awards.
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