WAUSAU, Wis. -- WSAW NewsChannel 7 was honored as Station of the Year during the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association Awards Gala for the sixth consecutive year. WSAW was also recognized as News Operation of the Year. The event recognizes excellence in broadcast journalism in both radio and television during the 2022 calendar year. WSAW was honored with a total of 26 awards, including seven first-place awards.  Sister station, FOX WZAW, claimed one additional award. 

“It is an honor to have News and Creative Services’ production work judged by peers as best of class for our market size,” said WSAW Vice President and General Manager Betsy Keefe. “We have a great team at WSAW. Tune in and see what all the buzz is about!”

Top honors included ‘Best Online Breaking News Coverage’, ‘Best Online Personality’, ‘Best Use of Social Media’, ‘Best Commercial or Underwriting Announcement’, ‘Best Public Service Announcement’, ‘Best Image Promotion’ and ‘Best Weather Promotion’.

“We have great news, weather and sports teams who work tirelessly to tell stories that impact people in north central Wisconsin,” said WSAW News Director, Bridget Fargen. “Like so many, we’ve had to overcome staffing challenges which makes this award mean even more to the people in our newsroom. I’m grateful for our team and their hard work.”

The WBA television awards competition is divided into three categories: Large Market (Milwaukee), Medium Market (Green Bay and Madison), and Small Market (Wausau-Rhinelander, LaCrosse-Eau Claire, Superior and Kenosha).

First-place Awards:

Best Online Breaking News Coverage – Wausau Wells Contaminated with PFAS

Best Online Personality – Jeff Thelen

Best Use of Social Media – WSAW Instagram Page

Best Public Service Announcement – Mental Health in Schools

Best Commercial or Underwriting Announcement – Walkabout Flythrough

Best Image Promotion – Working for You

Best Weather Promotion – Fall Weather Image 2022

Other awards:

Best Evening Newscast – NewsChannel 7 at 6 Dec. 15 Winter Storm

Best Weather Coverage – Chief Meteorologist Mark Holley

Best Continuing Coverage – Refugees Settle in Wausau

Best Spot News – Wausau Bank Robbery

Best News Writing – Creating Wildlife Rehab Oasis

Best Hard News/Investigative – Financial Difficulties at Marshfield Clinic

Best Feature – Developing Memories for Foster Seniors

Best Live On-Scene Reporting – Chad Franzen – Live On-Scene Reporting

Best Use of Video – Fire Chief Rescues Brass Instruments

Best Sports Reporting – Silent Night

Best Significant Community Impact – Buddy Check 7

Best Web Story – 7 Investigates: Testing the Waters

Best Online Personality – Meteorologist Chad Franzen (WZAW)

Best Online Personality – Kassandra Sepeda

Best Online Breaking News Coverage – Bear Breaks into Taylor County Home

Best Election Coverage – WSAW 2022 Election Coverage

Best Image Promotion – Kassandra Ice Fishing

Best Sport Promotion – Hilight Zone – Kicker

Best Topical Promotion – Tyson: One Year Later

Best Public Service Announcement – Extra Life 2022