The San Diego Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists
2008 Excellence in Journalism Awards

Congratulations to the 10News Staff on the following awards…

Breaking News
Honorable Mention: Del Dios Fire, Steve Fiorina, KGTV-10News

Serious Feature – Day of Airing
Honorable Mention: Victim Thanks, Steve Fiorina, KGTV-10News

Serious Feature – Pre-produced
2nd Place: Children of God, Steve Atkinson, Felicia Kit, JW August, and Michael Gonzalez, KGTV-10News
1st Place: Seaworld, Lauren Reynolds, Michael Gonzalez, Kristen Castillo, JW August, KGTV-10News
Judges’ Comments: Impressive investigation following what for many would have been a news story for a day or two.

Light Feature Story – Day of airing1st Place: School Volunteer, Christian Cazares, KGTV-10News
Judges’ Comments: Well written!

Regular Segment – Airing at least weekly
2nd Place: Elder Abuse Stolen Home, Marti Emerald, Felicia Kit, Karin Ingrande, JW August, Michael Gonzalez, KGTV 10News
1st Place: Cold medicine meth, Steve Atkinson, Heidi Ortiz, Kristen Castillo, JW August, Michael Gonzalez
Judges’ Comments: Good use of undercover cameras for investigative purposes.

Investigative/Enterprise Story
Honorable Mention: How’d She Get Away, Lauren Reynolds, Michael Gonzalez, JW August and Kristen Castillo, KGTV-10News
2nd Place: Earthquake Fault, Marti Emerald, Michael Gonzalez, Kristen Castillo, Felicia Kit, Karin Ingrande, JW August, KGTV-10News
1st Place: Airline Kiosk, Steve Atkinson, Kristen Castillo, JW August, Michael Gonzalez, KGTV-10News
Judges’ Comments: Good enterprise story executed through thorough investigation relevant to most viewers.

Investigative/Enterprise Series
Honorable Mention: RC Anderson, Elizabeth Sanchez, Michael Gonzalez, Kristen Castillo and JW August, KGTV-10News
2nd Place: Toxic Toothpaste (parts 1&2), Jacqui Nguyen, Michael Gonzalez, Kristen Castillo, Heidi Ortiz, Felicia Kit, JW August, KGTV-10News
1st Place: Craigslist Rental Scam, Steve Atkinson, Kristen Castillo, JW August and Michael Gonzalez, KGTV-10News
Judges’ Comments: Good to see journalists alerting authorities to a crime/scam and following the prosecution of the alleged criminal. Well executed investigative series.

Photography – Serious Feature
1st Place: Rainbow Parties, Christian Cazares, KGTV-10News
Judges’ Comments: Good use of creative photography to tell a video-poor hard news story.

Photography – Light Feature
1st Place: Pastorela Mechicana, Christian Cazares, Azteca America San Diego
Judges’ Comments: Beautiful photography and well edited.

Documentary
1st Place: 10News I-Team Special, KGTV-10News I-Team
Judges’ Comments: Well produced and written documentary compilation of the I-Team’s biggest stories of the year.

Community Service
1st Place: Smoke Detectors, Marti Emerald, Michael Gonzalez, Kristen Castillo, J.W. August, KGTV-10News
Judges’ Comments: Great example of investigative journalism providing consumer safety information and a community service.

Sol Price Prize for Responsible Journalism
Secret Police, 10News I-Team, KGTV-10News
Judges’ Comments: Bold investigation that explores a cause dear to ever journalist’s heart: Public records access.

Best of Show – Television
Seaworld, Lauren Reynolds, Michael Gonzalez, Kristen Castillo and JW August, KGTV 10News

Tags: Uncategorized by Autmn Doermann
No Comments »

Submitted by Lauren Reynolds, 10News Reporter.

Before my husband and I arrived at the La Costa Resort & Spa for the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, Pacific Southwest Chapter Emmy Awards, he asked, “How many Emmys do you have to win tonight to come away happy?”

I thought about it, and told him four. I was nominated in 7 categories, and I figured winning 7 out of 7 would be totally unrealistic. I was totally surprised and thrilled that night to win 6! To put it in perspective, I’ve worked for 10 News for the past 12 years, and had earned 3 Emmys during the first 11 of those years. To win 6 for my work over the last year alone shows that we’re doing something right.

I say “we”, because I work with the I-Team, a group of 9 dedicated producers, researchers, and reporters who have the privilege of doing “investigative” journalism, under the direction of Managing Editor JW August. He’s a true pro, with 3 decades in the news business.

The I-Team is a privilege because so many stations have cut investigative stories to improve the bottom line. Investigations take time, money, and resources. They get much more attention before air than what’s called a “daily” news story, something shot, written, and edited all in one day. While major networks still conduct investigations, many local stations have abandoned investigative teams in the face of shrinking advertising revenue and profits. 10News has bucked that trend, putting more resources into investigations over the last 2 years.

Our investigative pieces take months to produce, with good reason. We start with a complaint, or an idea, then track the details and look for the “bad guys”, if there are any. When people ask what I do for a living, I often joke and say, “I chase bad guys,” because we shine a light on suspected crooks or swindlers who take advantage of people for financial gain. Several times in the past year those suspected bad guys have run away from us, literally. Exposure is not good for their businesses.

On Emmy night, the various members of the I-team took home more than 20 Emmy’s, including one for creating a documentary program based on our best stories from last year.

The subjects of the stories I earned Emmy’s for last year include exposing controversial and allegedly “fake” Nelson Mandela Art being sold in La Jolla, an investigation into the deadly early years of Sea World’s attempts to trap and keep killer whales, plus a story about an Orange County woman who was driving without a license, hitting and injuring people, without facing any real consequences. Those are just a few examples. With several projects in the works right now, I hope to earn at least as many Emmy’s next year.

Tags: Uncategorized by Autmn Doermann
2 Comments »

Submitted by Evy Ramos, 10News Anchor/Reporter/Digital Correspondent

First of all I have to say I LOVE MORNING NEWS!! It has always been my favorite format, and the hours, 4am-12:30pm, may seem daunting to some but I enjoy them. I get home by 1pm and have the entire day to get things done. Sure I have to be in bed between 6 and 7pm, but it’s all worth it.

That having been said, being pregnant definitely throws everything off. Not necessarily in a bad way, but things are definitely changing. It is exciting to see my belly grow, to feel my baby kick, and to see my husband’s expression when he too can feel the baby. But as I face 10 more weeks, I am really getting tired! I can’t sleep through the night, and when my alarm goes off at 2:40am it is getting more difficult to wake up. As long as I can pull myself into the shower, I know I can make it, but getting there is the challenge.

I occasionally get text messages in the morning from my loving husband with encouraging words like, ”You’re doing a great job!” or “You look beautiful this morning.” Just this week I heard my phone ring and I knew I had a text waiting for me. I expected to find a supportive text from my husband. “We are going to have to get you some new clothes today!” What? So I no longer look beautiful… am I not doing a good job? I know this is not what he meant, but yes, it is becoming clear. I am wearing the same clothes over and over. But that’s because I don’t FIT in anything anymore. I can’t help that I am carrying a basketball underneath my clothes! So I did what any pregnant woman would do. I went shopping! We are trying to save money, so I have done a good job of buying things on sale and not going crazy. It felt good walking into Motherhood Maternity and trying on some new tops.

This morning I heard my phone ring, and I knew I had a text waiting for me. Of course it was my husband, “You look so good! Is that one of the shirts you bought?” I know, I know, looks aren’t everything. But when your 25 pounds heavier, tired, emotional, and suffer from bad heartburn, those words mean the world to a woman!

Tags: Uncategorized by Autmn Doermann
6 Comments »