WILL and partner win Murrow Awards in 3 categories

Illinois Public Media News reports, including breaking news coverage of the Gifford tornado, won regional Edward R. Murrow awards in two categories, and CU-CitizenAccess won for a story produced in cooperation with WILL on the resurgence of meth in central Illinois.

The Radio Television Digital News Association honored the WILL newsroom's coverage of the Nov. 17, 2013, Gifford tornado, including news reports by Sean Powers; a Focus program produced by Lindsey Moon and hosted by Jim Meadows; and Morning Edition hosted by Jeff Bossert.

Powers won in the hard news feature category for his story on how the Affordable Care Act may lower incarceration and recidivism rates. CU-CitizenAccess won in the best investigative feature category for Cheryl Silver's story on how meth use is on the rise. The feature grew from WILL's collaboration with CU-CitizenAccess and led to a Focus program and local WILL-TV segments seen locally as part of PBS NewsHour Weekend.

Each of the three entries will go on to compete for national Murrow Awards.