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BPR's investigative series on Ramada Inn conversion wins 2024 Regional Edward R. Murrow Award

The Murrow Awards are the embodiment of the values, principles and standards set forth by Edward R. Murrow, a journalism pioneer who set the standards for the highest quality of broadcast journalism.
an illustration of a man holding a paint bucket labeled "special sauce" stands in front of a decrepit ramada inn building
Illustration by Brittain Peck

May 23, 2024 — BPR is proud to announce that its seven-part investigative series “'Secret Sauce' Expired: The Ramada Inn Conversion for Asheville's Unhoused” has been honored with a 2024 Regional Edward R. Murrow Award.

The Edward R. Murrow Awards, presented by the Radio Television Digital News Association, are among the most prestigious honors in broadcast and digital journalism.

The series examines the troubled attempt to convert the former Ramada Inn in East Asheville into permanent supportive housing for the unhoused.

Through reviewing hundreds of court records and interviewing dozens of sources, BPR's Laura Hackett and Laura Lee revealed the complexities and setbacks of the project. The reporting revealed unpaid city permitting fees, lawsuits against the California organizations, a foreclosure on the property and more.

Two California organizations came to Asheville in late 2021, eager to purchase and convert the former Ramada Inn in East Asheville into permanent supportive housing for unhoused people. They pledged to use their “secret sauce” solution to address Asheville's longstanding challenges with how to shelter some of the city's 500 unhoused individuals.

Why the Murrow Award Matters

Winning a Murrow Award is a testament to BPR’s dedication to uphold the highest standards of journalism.

Murrow Award-winning stories prioritize public interest, provide a catalyst for public discussion, and adhere strictly to the RTDNA Code of Ethics. They serve as a beacon of responsible journalism, exposing corruption and shedding light on issues that might otherwise go unnoticed.

Since 1971, these awards have recognized outstanding achievements in electronic journalism, embodying the values, principles, and standards set forth by Edward R. Murrow, a journalism pioneer known for his commitment to integrity and excellence.

Regional winners automatically move on to the national round of the competition.

Read the series.

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