WBFO Receives 3 First-Place Awards In AP Competition

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- WBFO 88.7 FM, the National Public Radio affiliate operated by UB, won three first-place awards in the 1999 New York State Associated Press Broadcasters Competition.

The awards were announced on June 10 at the AP's annual awards banquet, held in Saratoga Springs.

WBFO earned more first-place awards than any other radio station in its class, which includes the markets of Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse and Albany-Schenectady.

News Director Mark Scott received a first-place award for "Best Continuing News Coverage" for his reports on the "Operation Save America" anti-abortion protests in Buffalo and the one-year anniversary of the murder of Buffalo-based physician Barnett Slepian.

Producer Mike McKay captured the top award for "Best Sports Coverage" for a piece exploring the impact of last year's playoff run by the Buffalo Sabres on local businesses.

Producer Joyce Kryszak won first place in the category of "Best Local Documentary Program or Series" for a two-part series that profiled the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority's police department and the challenges its officers face in protecting Metro Bus and Rail passengers and airport travelers.

WBFO also received two special mentions in the competition. McKay was cited for a report he produced on a series of attacks on elderly white homeowners on Buffalo's East Side. Producer Mary Van Vorst was cited for "Best Interview" for her conversation with Ira Glass, host of the NPR program "This American Life."

"We are honored to be recognized by our peers for the work done at WBFO by our news staff," said Carole Smith Petro, acting general manager of the radio station. "WBFO was competing against such respected news operations as Schenectady's WGY, Rochester's WHAM and Buffalo's WBEN. To lead this class with three first-place awards is especially gratifying."

WBFO is a major public service of UB. The station also is heard in Olean on WOLN 91.3 FM and in Jamestown on WUBJ 88.1 FM.