The WATD news team earned three awards from the 2021 RTDNA Regional Edward R. Murrow Awards.
In Region 10 Small Market Radio, WATD was awarded in the Overall Excellence, Breaking News, and Newscast categories.
Newscast
The Mid-Day Report with Christine James, on June 3rd, starts with two of the most closely-watched stories we covered all year: two large protests for Black Lives Matter, in the largest communities we serve; Brockton and Quincy. One of the protests did not stay peaceful, with State Police and the National Guard responding after a riot broke out. Compelling pictures and videos from the scenes were posted to our website and Facebook pages.
Close to a thousand people stood in solidarity at the West Middle School in Brockton. Photo credit: Lenny Rowe.
The newscast includes a live interview with the Mayor of Braintree, touching on the BLM movement and the COVID-19 pandemic, followed by a portion of a live Statehouse update from Governor Charlie Baker, reinforcing the year’s biggest continuing stories with BLM, civil unrest, and the pandemic. We featured several other local stories as well, including reports from the towns of Plymouth and Norwell. The latest sports, traffic, weather, and the Wall Street update complete the report. Listen to the newscast here:
Quincy coverage by David Cedrone.
Brockton protest coverage by Lenny Rowe.
Brockton riot coverage by Lenny Rowe.
Breaking News
South Shore Plaza Shooting
SWAT team members run into the Nordstrom store at the Braintree Plaza. Photo credit: Lenny Rowe.
On July 3rd, a shooting took place at the South Shore Plaza in Braintree, when an encounter between two groups erupted in gunfire, leaving a 15-year-old girl injured. SWAT teams and law enforcement agencies responded to secure the shopping center. WATD Anchor Dan McCready began updating listeners with information from officials throughout the evening, while reporter Lenny Rowe went to the scene to find out what was going on.
Web story on the South Shore Plaza Shooting
SWAT team members respond to the Nordstrom store at the Braintree Plaza. Photo credit: Lenny Rowe.
OVERALL EXCELLENCE
2020 will be remembered by the WATD News Department as one of the most challenging times we have gone through, starting with considering how to cover the developing stories with the BLM movement, ongoing pandemic, as well as bringing our listeners all the other news they count on from us plus, trying to stay safe and healthy as a radio station. We made it work by spreading out in separate studios, rigging up microphones on long poles, hosting political forums in large, open studios with plenty of distance and safeguards, not to mention Clorox wipes. We also attended hearings and meetings via Zoom, and attended meetings and court hearings in-person until they were closed to the public. The stories we’ve included in the entry showcase some of those diverse stories, including a “montage” of pandemic coverage to represent just a small bit of what we covered.
Links to Overall Excellence entries:
Michael Moscaritolo Verdict by Lenny Rowe: https://959watd.com/blog/2020/02/quincy-lawyer-sentenced-to-life-in-prison-for-murder-of-marshfield-man/
Laurie Melchionda Murder: https://959watd.com/blog/2020/06/braintree-school-nurse-fatally-shot-former-neighbor-in-custody/
Bernie Sanders Rally by Dan McCready: https://959watd.com/blog/2020/02/senator-bernie-sanders-holds-rally-on-boston-common/
Ed Markey’s Marshfield Campaign by Lenny Rowe: https://959watd.com/blog/2020/08/marshfield-u-s-senator-ed-markey-visits-harbor-park-during-south-shore-tour/
Weymouth Compressor by Amy Leonard: https://959watd.com/blog/2020/06/weymouth-fore-river-residents-against-the-compressor-station-circulates-on-line-petition/
Greenbush Commuter Standout by David Cedrone: https://959watd.com/blog/2020/12/local-students-officials-voice-opposition-to-greenbush-commuter-rail-cuts/
WATD Political Forum 9th Congressional District: https://959watd.com/blog/2020/10/ma-live-political-forum-with-candidates-for-the-9th-congressional-district/
Hanover Black Lives Matter Vigil by Lenny Rowe: https://959watd.com/blog/2020/06/hanover-vigil-held-for-george-floyd-lives-lost-to-racism/
WATD Political Forum Plymouth/Barnstable State Senate Seat: https://959watd.com/blog/2020/10/watd-studios-live-political-forum-with-the-candidates-for-the-plymouth-barnstable-state-senate-seat/
Quincy Four-Alarm Fire by David Cedrone: https://959watd.com/blog/2020/07/quincy-4-alarm-fire-destroys-home/
Hingham/Hull Ferry Protest by Lenny Rowe: https://959watd.com/blog/2020/11/hingham-riders-protest-mbtas-plan-to-cut-hingham-hull-ferry-service/
Plymouth: Selectman Cavacco Questions Legality of Town Manager’s Undercover Surveillance of Emails by Bobbi Clark: https://959watd.com/blog/2020/12/plymouth-selectman-cavacco-questions-legality-of-town-managers-undercover-surveillance-of-emails/
Day of Mourning by Ed Perry: https://959watd.com/blog/2020/11/national-day-of-mourning-in-plymouth-draws-hundreds/
WATD’s Ed Perry Broadcasts from Fessenden Site in Brant Rock: https://959watd.com/blog/2020/12/watds-ed-perry-broadcasts-from-fessenden-site-in-brant-rock/
Frank Tedesco Salute by Christine James: https://959watd.com/blog/2020/03/u-s-army-air-corps-wwii-pilot-laid-to-rest/
