MPB Wins National Edward R. Murrow Award

JACKSON, Miss. – Mississippi Public Broadcasting (MPB) has won a National Edward R. Murrow award for reporter Lawayne Childrey’s story, “Boot Camp Program Helping Dropouts.” The award is given by the Radio Television Digital News Association and recognizes MPB for excellence in journalism in the field of Hard News Reporting.

“MPB is pleased and honored to have been recognized for the outstanding work done by Lawayne Childrey,” said MPB Executive Director, Judy Lewis. “Lawayne’s reporting will continue to raise the bar for our news department. This winning story is poignant and uplifting at the same time. MPB will continue to tell the stories that need to be told.”

The winning story was part of a four-part series on the school dropout problem in Mississippi. In his report, Childrey highlights a training program at Camp Shelby that is helping Mississippi dropouts earn their GEDs. The program not only helps teenagers with academics but also with personal development.

“Every day during the academic year, a bus load of Mississippi students drop out of school, putting the state’s dropout rate among the highest in the nation. Officials say the end result could mean social and economic disaster,” said Childrey. “It is my sincere desire that this series, which has been recognized with an Edward R. Murrow Award, will help shine a spotlight on this problem so that we might soon find a solution.”

MPB was one of 59 stations nationwide to win a 2010 Edward R. Murrow Award. As a winner in the large market category, MPB is alongside stations from prominent news markets in Washington, D.C.; Boston, MA; San Francisco, CA; and New York, NY.

Teresa Collier, MPB Director of Live Operations said, “Winning a National Murrow is really a pretty impressive thing. I’m honored that the work we do is recognized to be among the best in journalism. I’m very proud of Lawayne and the work he is doing at MPB. He’s a rising star. Over the years, we’ve built a team of reporters at MPB who are capable of producing quality work.”

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Mississippi Public Broadcasting (MPB) provides relevant instructional and public programming to Mississippians through its statewide television and radio network. MPB enhances the work of educators, students, parents and learners of all ages through quality programs, resources and services that educate, entertain and enlighten. MPB’s locally-produced programming focuses on the people, resources and attractions that make Mississippi unique. Children’s programs constitute a major portion of the daytime and weekend morning schedules. Since 1970, MPB has won over 350 national and regional awards, including Emmy, Edward R. Murrow and Parents’ Choice Awards

NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	CONTACT: Mari Irby
June 21, 2010	601-506-5392
MPB Wins National Edward R. Murrow Award
JACKSON, Miss. – Mississippi Public Broadcasting (MPB) has won a National Edward R. Murrow award for reporter Lawayne Childrey’s story, “Boot Camp Program Helping Dropouts.” The award is given by the Radio Television Digital News Association and recognizes MPB for excellence in journalism in the field of Hard News Reporting. “MPB is pleased and honored to have been recognized for the outstanding work done by Lawayne Childrey,” said MPB Executive Director, Judy Lewis. “Lawayne’s reporting will continue to raise the bar for our news department. This winning story is poignant and uplifting at the same time. MPB will continue to tell the stories that need to be told.” The winning story was part of a four-part series on the school dropout problem in Mississippi. In his report, Childrey highlights a training program at Camp Shelby that is helping Mississippi dropouts earn their GEDs. The program not only helps teenagers with academics but also with personal development. “Every day during the academic year, a bus load of Mississippi students drop out of school, putting the state’s dropout rate among the highest in the nation. Officials say the end result could mean social and economic disaster,” said Childrey. “It is my sincere desire that this series, which has been recognized with an Edward R. Murrow Award, will help shine a spotlight on this problem so that we might soon find a solution.” MPB was one of 59 stations nationwide to win a 2010 Edward R. Murrow Award. As a winner in the large market category, MPB is alongside stations from prominent news markets in Washington, D.C.; Boston, MA; San Francisco, CA; and New York, NY. Teresa Collier, MPB Director of Live Operations said, “Winning a National Murrow is really a pretty impressive thing. I’m honored that the work we do is recognized to be among the best in journalism. I’m very proud of Lawayne and the work he is doing at MPB. He’s a rising star. Over the years, we’ve built a team of reporters at MPB who are capable of producing quality work.” ### Mississippi Public Broadcasting (MPB) provides relevant instructional and public programming to Mississippians through its statewide television and radio network. MPB enhances the work of educators, students, parents and learners of all ages through quality programs, resources and services that educate, entertain and enlighten. MPB’s locally-produced programming focuses on the people, resources and attractions that make Mississippi unique. Children’s programs constitute a major portion of the daytime and weekend morning schedules. Since 1970, MPB has won over 350 national and regional awards, including Emmy, Edward R. Murrow and Parents’ Choice Awards