Photo of Judy ValenteThe GLT News Department has received five more Illinois Associated Press awards to a regularly growing collection.

The recent announcement honors GLT with more awards than any other station in the division, the second year in a row for such a distinction. The awards in actual order of finish—first or second—will be announced April 27 at the Illinois News Broadcasters Association annual conference, to be held this year in Springfield. One first place award is guaranteed in that GLT is the finalist for both awards in the Best Series or Documentary category.

“We’re almost more surprised when we don’t win an award in a contest,” said GLT program director Mike McCurdy. “GLT journalists cover stories other media outlets don’t and they do an excellent job. But they’ll be the first to tell you they’re in this business for listeners and online users, not awards.”

WGLT has received 71 Illinois AP journalism awards in the past 12 years, with a total of 95 awards in the last 17 years. This year’s awards:

Best Series or Documentary –“Unknown Illinois”—Judy Valente; “Shattering Transgender Stereotypes”—Judy Valente

Best Newscast—“6:06 P.M. Newscast”—Charlie Schlenker

Best Investigative Report– “Ex-Con Priest”—Judy Valente

Best Use of Sound– “Racial Tension Meeting” —Judy Valente