North Country Public Radio has been honored with eight major journalism awards for its reporting in 2021.

On June 24, 2022, the Public Media Journalists Association (PMJA) announced NCPR has won eight 2022 PMJA Awards in the investigative and feature reporting, digital writing, interview, use of sound, series, and continuing news coverage categories.

The PMJA Awards are the top national awards in public media news and honor digital and broadcast journalists. More than 1500 entries were judged from newsrooms of all sizes across the country. NCPR competes in Division B: newsrooms with 4 – 7 reporters.

“PMJA recognizes the best journalism in the public radio system,” says NCPR News Director David Sommerstein. “To be honored with eight awards among such excellence is quite an achievement for our small newsroom. We’re so proud of the work all our reporters put in every day to spotlight the most important issues facing the North Country, and to reflect the diversity and sense of fun and delight in our region as well.”

Amy Feiereisel won first place for best news series and second prize in enterprise reporting for the series COVID Goes Back to School. Feiereisel also won first place for best news feature for These Teenagers Became Frontline Emergency Responders.

Adirondack reporter Emily Russell took two first place awards: best investigative reporting for Malone’s Police Reform Plan and best sports feature for Diversifying the Adirondacks, One Trip at a Time.

Northern Light co-hosts Monica Sandreczki and Todd Moe won second place for best use of sound in their feature An Early Fall Paddle with Todd and Monica. Former Champlain Valley reporter Ryan Finnerty won second place for best digital writing for his feature The LOSERS of surfing in all seasons on Lake Ontario.

The Dean’s List host and NCPR Production Manager Doyle Dean won second place for best interview for NCPR's Underscore Project: Silla and Rise take Inuit Throat-singing to the Dance Floor.

"For a station NCPR’s size to make such an outsized splash in a national awards contest is an amazing accomplishment,” said Mitch Teich, NCPR Station Manager. “I think just as significant is the wide scope of awards for everything from investigative reporting to sports to a feature interview by a music host. We try to deliver the best possible content to the North Country and it’s really nice to be recognized for it."