MONROE, La. (Gray Television Group, Inc. dba KNOE) Saturday, March 25, 2017, KNOE was recipient of the highest broadcast honor presented at the Louisiana-Mississippi AP Broadcasters and Editors annual awards ceremony held in Jackson, Miss.

KNOE 8 News was named “Best Evening Newscast in the Region,” by the Associated Press, an award that encompassed all television stations in the states of Louisiana and Mississippi. Judges noted KNOE’s commitment to news coverage beyond the limitations of small market television stations. Judges, in particular, noted the station’s coverage of the Frank Selas (aka: Mr. Wonder) case. The former KNOE children’s host vanished after allegations of sexually assaulting children, only to be found 30-years later living in a San Diego suburb. KNOE traveled to California to provide live coverage of the case.

In addition to “Best Regional Newscast,” KNOE was honored to receive 1st place awards for “Best Evening Newscast in Louisiana (small market TV)”, “Best Daytime Newscast in Louisiana (small market TV),” and Best Achievement in Louisiana (small market TV)”. In the Achievement Award, the judges noted the KNOE’s extensive efforts in coverage and community service during the “Devastating ArkLaMiss Floods” of March 2016.

In addition to these 1st place honors, KNOE was honored with 16 2nd and 3rd place awards in the following categories:

-3rd Best Evening Newscast
-2nd Best Breaking News
-3rd Best Breaking News
-2nd Best Weathercast
-2nd Best Sportscast or Sports Program
-3rd Best Sportscast or Sports Program
-2nd Best Sports Story
-3rd La. Newsperson of the Year (Sports Director Aaron Dietrich)
-2nd Best Investigative Report
-3rd Best Investigative Report
-3rd Best Multimedia Story
-2nd Best Franchise Reporting
-2nd Best Public Affairs Reporting
-2nd Best Documentary
-3rd Best News Photography
-2nd Achievement

“2016 presented our community and our station with many challenges. In March, when our region was struck with devastating and historic flooding our staff came together to provide around-the-clock life-saving information to our viewers,” said KNOE Vice President and General Manager Laura Long.

“With the help of a very generous community, KNOE was able to partner with the American Red Cross to raise nearly $200,000 for flood relief efforts in our region in 2016. I could not be more proud of how our staff of young journalists came together, not only to share life-saving information about the floods and the stories of those affected, but also for their efforts to assist their fellow staff members and the community during this crisis,“ said Long.

“In the same year, our crews traveled all the way to California to provide exclusive live coverage in a major court case of local importance, breaking the normal boundaries of small market television,” said Long.

“Our crews work hard every day to continue KNOE’s long-running tradition as a Breaking News and Weather Authority in our community and in our industry. We take extreme pride in our community, in our community service and in our product. We are truly humbled to be recognized with these honors,” said Long.