Blue Ridge Public Radio’s news coverage and public service during Hurricane Helene has again been recognized with one of the industry's most prestigious awards: The Green Eyeshade.
Announced earlier this month, judges for the southeastern U.S. journalism competition – now in its 75th year – described BPR as being a “lifeline” for its listeners, readers, and the region broadly.
The top spot recognizes BPR’s coverage as the best among all media outlets that submitted work for the 2025 awards across 12 states – from Arkansas to West Virginia. The Green Eyeshade competition is hosted by the Southern chapters of the Society of Professional Journalism, one of the nation’s largest and oldest professional journalism associations.
In addition to winning the organization’s overall top award, BPR also took 1st place in five categories (including three other staffwide awards).
“As Hurricane Helene (North Carolina’s worst natural disaster on record) ravaged the state, Blue Ridge Public Radio in Asheville became a lifeline to its community with integrated real-time analysis, investigative reporting, fact-checking, communications innovations and wide audience reach,” judges wrote.
“This work exemplifies the power of integrating feature reporting with storytelling, data analytics, and compelling photography in a multimedia platform. Especially impressive was BPR’s post-Helene coverage holding community leaders accountable.”
BPR’s work was recognized in the competition as follows:
1st Place - Staff
- Best in Show: The Green Eyeshade Award
- Best Breaking News Reporting
- Public Service in Audio/Radio Journalism
- Public Service in Digital Journalism
1st Place - Individual
- Felicia Sonmez: Audio Storytelling with Sound Design for ‘Lifeblood’ of the forest: Meet the volunteers who maintain Western North Carolina’s trails
- Lilly Knoepp: Short-Form Audio Reporting for A remembrance of Jimmy Carter and his time on Chattooga River
2nd Place - Individual
- Gerard Albert III: General News Photography for Communities clean up from Hurricane Helene
3rd Place - Staff
- Deadline Disaster & Crisis Reporting
3rd Place - Individual
- Gerard Albert III: Investigative Reporting for Fact check: Claim that 100+ bodies aren’t counted in Helene death toll is false
- Stephanie Rogers: Social Media Strategy for Hurricane Helene Breaking News Coverage on Social Media
