WAUSAU, Wis. -- WSAW NewsChannel 7 was honored as Station of the Year during the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association Virtual Awards Gala for the fourth consecutive year. The event recognizes excellence in broadcast journalism in both radio and television during the 2020 calendar year. WSAW was honored with a total of 25 awards, including seven first- place awards.

“We are very honored to have our station awarded the Station of the Year,” said WSAW Vice President and General Manager Al Lancaster. “It is always a bonus to have our employees work recognized by their peers as some of the best in our market size.”

Other top honors include Best Morning Newscast, Best Weathercast, Best Sportscast.

“Winning Station of the Year for our market size is a team effort – it wouldn’t be possible without news, weather, sports, directors, engineers, and creative services,” said WSAW News Director Bridget Fargen. “2020 was a challenging year for everyone, and the news cycle never let up. To be honored by our peers for the work we did during an unprecedented year reinforces the impact stories have every day.”

The WBA television awards competition is divided into three categories: Large Market (Milwaukee), Medium Market (Green Bay and Madison), and Small Market (Wausau/Rhinelander, LaCrosse/Eau Claire, and Duluth/Superior).

First-place Awards:
Best Morning Newscast – The New Back to School: September 3, 2020 Best Sportscast – Matt Infield
Best Weathercast – Jeremy Tabin
Best Weather Promotion – Mark’s Garden
Best Topical Promotion – Black Lives Matter POP
Best Public Service Announcement – Children’s Miracle Network – Extra Life
Best Commercial or Underwriting Announcement – Wausau School District – Teachers

Other awards:
Best Sportscast – Reece Van Haaften
Best Weathercast – Mark Holley
Best Continuing Coverage – Unemployment in Wisconsin Due to COVID-19 Pandemic Best News Writing – Cheryl Coyer Makes Quilts for Veterans
Best Hard News/Investigative – 7 Investigates: When You Can’t Call 911
Best Hard News/Investigative – 7 Investigates: Patients Caught in Insurance Battle Best Live On-Scene Reporting – Stella Porter
Best Use of Video – You Know You’re From Merrill: Emma’s Sweet Corn
Best Sports Reporting – Mound Masterpieces
Best Topical Promotion – The Student Experience
Best Coverage of Civil Discourse and Social Change – Race, Law Enforcement and Social Justice Best Pandemic-Related Service to Community – Singing for Their Supper
Best Election Coverage – Election 2020 Coverage
Best Web Story – Graduate Surprises Fellow Classmates by Walking to get Diploma
Best Original Digital Content – WSAW Sports Podcast on Replacing a Legend on the Ice
Best Online Breaking News Coverage – Live-On-Scene Coverage of an Officer Involved Shooting Best Online Breaking News Coverage – Local Hospital Has a Press Event to Discuss COVID Situation