Associated Press honors APR news team

The Alabama Associated Press named the Alabama Public Radio news team the “Most Outstanding News Organization” for 2012. This represents a back-to-back victory for APR, which won the same honor last year. The team was recognized for its coverage of the Copper Top bar shooting, the first anniversary of the Tuscaloosa tornado, reporter Ryan Vasquez story on a legal challenge to Alabama’s policy of segregating prison inmates who test positive for the virus that causes AIDS, Maggie Martin’s story on a Tennessee concert to honor the Muscle Shoals music scene, News Director Pat Duggins’ coverage of Alabama's BCS victory over LSU in New Orleans, and Stan Ingold’s all-nighter with Mobile area game wardens during gator hunting season. “I was especially flattered for the team to be honored as most outstanding news organization,” says Duggins. “They (Ryan, Maggie, and Stan) make me proud everyday—but it’s great when the industry sees that as well! And, we couldn’t have done it without the support of the University and our listeners.” The team also won six first place awards, including its documentary Winds of Change on the aftermath of the Tuscaloosa tornados, Maggie Martin’s series on Alabama’s Gay Rodeo, Stan Ingold’s feature on businessmen who load the cremated remains of hunters into shot gun shells, Pat Duggins coverage of the Alabama’s BCS win, and best use of sound for Duggins’ story on saving sea turtle hatchlings from the approach of Hurricane Isaac. Pat was also named best radio sports reporter in Alabama.