WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. (AP) 鈥 Winners of the 2021 Virginias Associated Press Broadcasters Awards were announced Saturday at the Awards Banquet and Annual Membership Meeting at The Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia.
Thirty-seven news organizations in Virginia and West Virginia submitted 587 entries in the contest, which featured news and sports stories from 2021.
Dave Dierks, meteorologist at WCYB-TV, was honored with The Associated Press Robert Gallimore Distinguished Service Award. The Iowa native has been with the Bristol, Virginia, station for 35 years.
The West Virginia Lifetime Achievement Award was given to Brenda Danehart, news director at WRTF-TV in Wheeling, West Virginia. She began at the Nexstar station in 1981, first as a reporter and anchor before serving as news director, a position which she has held for the past 20 years.
The VAPB also awarded two $2,000 scholarships to students majoring in media and broadcast journalism: Jhanvee Patel of West Virginia University and Shelby Walker of James Madison University.
The VAPB is an independent association comprised of local members of The Associated Press, a not-for-profit news cooperative that represents thousands of newspapers and broadcast stations across the United States.
Winners in the 2021 Virginias AP Broadcasters Contest:
COMBINED DIVISION (TV/RADIO):
Best Podcast-Audio: First, Leanna Scachetti and Ben Riquelmy, WDBJ-TV, Roanoke, VA, 鈥淏ridging the Great Health Divide: Strokes鈥; Second, Moriah Sprinkel, Daniel Gray and Cassidy Burton, WQLU-FM, Lynchburg, VA, 鈥淪chool Survival Podcast.鈥
TVI/LARGE MARKET:
Best Spot News: First, Jon Burkett, Sarah Danial and Ian Ramprashad, WTVR-TV, Richmond, VA, 鈥淏ullets Fly on Belt Atlantic: Community Mourns鈥; Second, Kelsey Souto, WSAZ-TV, Charleston/Huntington, WV, 鈥淔lood Damage.鈥
Best Continuing News: First, Cynthia Beasley, Tony Day and Dominick Sarazen, WSET-TV, Lynchburg, VA, 鈥淟iberty University Sexual Assault Allegations鈥; Second, Jessica Larche, Kelly Dietz and Erin Miller, WTKR-TV/WGNT-TV, Norfolk, VA, 鈥淣orfolk Doctor鈥檚 Ties to Ivermectin Controversy.鈥
Outstanding Sports Operation of the Virginias: First, Lane Casadonte and Sean Robertson, WTVR-TV, Richmond, VA; Second, John Appicello, Eric Johnson and Brooke Leonard, WSLS-TV, Roanoke, VA.
Best Documentary or In-Depth: First, Jason Marks, Kevin Romm and Adrienne Mayfield, WAVY-TV, Hampton Roads, VA, 鈥淭he Patients vs. Perwaiz鈥; Second, Janet Roach and Adrian Guerra, WVEC-TV, Norfolk, VA, 鈥淒onovon.鈥
Best Light Feature: First, Tom Schaad and Jack Noonan, WAVY-TV, Hampton Roads, VA, 鈥淗ampton鈥檚 Little England Chapel鈥; Second, Brad Wilson and Greg McQuade, WTVR-TV, Richmond, VA, 鈥淭ommie鈥檚 Trash Crusade: If I Don鈥檛 do It, I鈥檇 Be in a Wheelchair.鈥
Best Serious Feature: First, Alicia Cherem, WVEC-TV, Norfolk, VA, 鈥淥yster Reef Memorial鈥; Second, Brendan Tierney, WSAZ-TV, Charleston/Huntington, WV, 鈥淔irst to Worst.鈥
Best Sports Feature: First, Alex Littlehales, WVEC-TV, Norfolk, VA, 鈥淭riathlete Breaking Barriers鈥; Second, Greg Moore and Eric Johnson, WSLS-TV, Roanoke, VA, 鈥淢ore Than a Touchdown.鈥
Best MMJ/One-Person Band Reporter: First, Ashley Boles, WDBJ-TV, Roanoke, VA; Second, A.J. Nwoko, WWBT-TV, Richmond, VA.
Best Reporter: First, Karina Bolster, WWBT-TV, Richmond, VA; Second, Ben Dennis, WRIC-TV, Richmond, VA.
Best Specialty Reporting: First, Chris Michaels and Chase Parker, WSLS-TV, Roanoke, VA, 鈥淭asty Tuesday鈥; Second, Jackie DeFusco, WRIC-TV, Richmond, VA.
Best Spot News Photography: First, Malcolm Key, WTVR-TV, Richmond, VA, 鈥淕od Is Gonna Give Me Something Better鈥; Second, Janelle Pierangelino, WTVR-TV, Richmond, VA, 鈥淲e Could See the Smoke.鈥
Best Feature Photography: First, Curtis Akers and Greg McQuade, WTVR-TV, Richmond, VA, 鈥淭omb of the Unknown Turns 100: The Mission Is Going to Embrace You for Life鈥; Second, Jack Noonan, Kevin Romm and Jason Marks, WAVY-TV, Hampton Roads, VA, 鈥淭he Show Must Go On.鈥
Best Multi-Platform Story: First, Leanna Scachetti and Ben Riquelmy, WDBJ-TV, Roanoke, VA, 鈥淭he Epidemic Inside the Pandemic: How COVID-19 Affected the Opioid Crisis鈥; Second, WRIC-TV, Richmond, VA, 鈥淟ee Monument Comes Down.鈥
Best Investigative Reporting: First, Kelly Avellino and AJ Nwoko, WWBT-TV, Richmond, VA, 鈥淔inding Brittany Renee Williams鈥; Second, Jenna Zibton, Sarah Tabor and Chase Parker, WSLS-TV, Roanoke, VA, 鈥淣ursing Home Investigation.鈥
Best Website: First, WTVR-TV, Richmond, VA; Second, WSLS-TV, Roanoke, VA.
Best News Promo: First, David Stotts and Rob Byrne, WTVR-TV, Richmond, VA, 鈥淐umberland Hospital 911鈥; Second, Brandy Brown, WTVR-TV, Richmond, VA, 鈥9/11 Heroes 20 Years Later.鈥
Best Station Promo: First, David Stotts, Brandy Brown and Victoria Bostic, WTVR-TV, Richmond, VA, 鈥淟ooking Back and Moving Forward鈥; Second, Terrell Thompson, Mason Adams and Rob Edmonds, WWBT-TV, Richmond, VA, 鈥淕et Your Forecast.鈥
Best Newscast: First, WRIC-TV, Richmond, VA, 鈥淟ee Monument Comes Down鈥; Second, Chelsea Armstrong, WSAZ-TV, Charleston/Huntington, WV.
Best Weathercast: First, Zach Daniel, Mike Stone and Curtis Akers, WTVR-TV, Richmond, VA, 鈥淔ebruary Ice Storm鈥; Second, Spencer Adkins, Bryan Hughes and Joe Fitzwater, WOWK-TV, Charleston, WV, 鈥淚ce Storm.鈥
Best Weathercaster: First, Spencer Adkins, WOWK-TV, Charleston, WV; Second, Andy Chilian, WSAZ-TV, Charleston/Huntington, WV.
Best TV News Anchor: First, Danner Evans, WSET-TV, Lynchburg, VA; Second, Dan Kennedy, WVEC-TV, Norfolk, VA.
Best TV Sports Anchor: First, Nathan Epstein, WAVY-TV, Hampton Roads, VA; Second, Keith Morehouse, WSAZ-TV, Charleston/Huntington, WV.
Best Producer: First, Sarah Callaway, WVEC-TV, Norfolk, VA; Second, Samantha Maneri, WWBT-TV, Richmond, VA.
Best Team News Coverage: First, Tiaira Shoultz, WVEC-TV, Norfolk, VA, 鈥淰irginia Beach Oceanfront Shooting鈥; Second, Brendan King and Ian Ramprashad, WTVR-TV, Richmond, VA, 鈥淩obert E. Lee Statue Taken Down.鈥
Best Old Dominion Heritage: First, Greg McQuade and Brad Wilson, WTVR-TV, Richmond, VA, 鈥淔inding Her Roots at Hickory Hill鈥; Second, WRIC-TV, Richmond, VA, 鈥淗onoring Black History.鈥
Best Mountain State Heritage: First, Brad Rice, WCHS-TV, Charleston, WV, 鈥淭raveling West Virginia鈥; Second, Rob Macko and Elbert Mosley, WOWK-TV, Charleston, WV, 鈥淜imball War Memorial.鈥
Douglas Southall Freeman Award: First, Jessica Larche, Kelly Dietz and Gerardo Lopez, WTKR-TV/WGNT-TV, Norfolk, VA, 鈥淗ave You Seen Me? Addressing Disparities in Missing People of Color Cases鈥; Second, WCHS-TV, Charleston, WV, 鈥淪olutions for an Addicted Appalachia.鈥
Outstanding News Operation of the Virginias: First, Stephen Hayes, Sheryl Barnhouse and David Stotts, WTVR-TV, Richmond, VA; Second, WCHS-TV, Charleston, WV.
TVII/SMALL MARKET:
Best Spot News: First, CJ Paschall and Tony Franklin, WVIR-TV, Charlottesville, VA, 鈥淐harlottesville Removes Its Confederate Statues鈥; Second, WCYB-TV, Bristol, VA, 鈥淗expol Fire.鈥
Best Continuing News: First, Isabel Cleary, Riley Wyant and Madison McNamee, WVIR-TV, Charlottesville, VA, 鈥淐entral Virginia Mail Delivery Issues鈥; Second, WCYB-TV, Bristol, VA, 鈥淛ason Shay Leaves ETSU.鈥
Outstanding Sports Operation of the Virginias: First, WBOY-TV, Clarksburg, WV; Second, Preston Willett and Danielle Stein, WCAV-TV, Charlottesville, VA.
Best Documentary or In-Depth: First, Kristen Quon and Troy Prater, WCYB-TV, Bristol, VA, 鈥淐ry for Help: The Hurley Floods鈥; Second, Larry Marrs and Riley Phillips, WVNS-TV, Beckley-Bluefield-Lewisburg, WV, 鈥20th Anniversary of Wyoming County Flood.鈥
Best Light Feature: First, Elizabeth Holmes and Patrick Huddleston, WVIR-TV, Charlottesville, VA, 鈥淓lementary Student Helps Neighborhood, One Trash Collection at a Time鈥; Second, Ian Roth, WDTV-TV, Bridgeport, WV, 鈥淟ocal WWII Veteran Celebrates 100th Birthday.鈥
Best Serious Feature: First, Kristen Quon, WCYB-TV, Bristol, VA, 鈥淐onvicted鈥; Second, Max Marcilla, WVIR-TV, Charlottesville, VA, 鈥淩emains of Va. Korean War Veteran Found After 70 Years.鈥
Best Sports Feature: First, Larry Marrs, WVNS-TV, Beckley-Bluefield-Lewisburg, WV, 鈥淎-Train Boxing鈥; Second, T.J. Eck, WHSV-TV, Harrisonburg, VA, 鈥淭he T.R. Williams Story.鈥
Best MMJ/One-Person Band Reporter: First, Elizabeth Holmes, WVIR-TV, Charlottesville, VA, 鈥淐rozet Church Uses Brewery to Hold Mass鈥; Second, Annie Moore, WVVA-TV, Bluefield, WV, 鈥淪ugar Grove.鈥
Best Reporter: First, Kristen Quon, WCYB-TV, Bristol, VA; Second, Laura Bowen, WTAP-TV, Parkersburg, WV, 鈥淲ater Bill.鈥
Best Specialty Reporting: First, Heather Williams, WCYB-TV, Bristol, VA, 鈥淢otorsports鈥; Second, Max Marcilla, WVIR-TV, Charlottesville, VA, 鈥淐harlottesville City Council.鈥
Best Feature Photography: First, Rachel Hirschheimer, WVIR-TV, Charlottesville, VA, 鈥淕uitars for Veterans鈥; Second, Tim Davis, WCYB-TV, Bristol, VA, 鈥淧epin鈥檚 Pet Projects.鈥
Best Multi-Platform Story: First, Jamie Green, WBOY-TV, Clarksburg, WV, 鈥淭he House That Nikki Built鈥; Second, Riley Wyant and John Early, WVIR-TV, Charlottesville, VA, 鈥淕overnor Northam鈥檚 COVID-19 Briefing.鈥
Best Investigative Reporting: First, Isabel Cleary, WVIR-TV, Charlottesville, VA, 鈥淎CRJ鈥檚 Home Incarceration Program鈥; Second, Rachel Hirschheimer, WVIR-TV, Charlottesville, VA, 鈥淥rganizations Working to End Child Trafficking.鈥
Best Website: First, John Lynch, WTRF-TV, Wheeling, WV; Second, Caitlin Piemme and WHSV Staff, WHSV-TV, Harrisonburg, VA.
Best News Promo: First, Taylor Thomas, WVIR-TV, Charlottesville, VA, 鈥淓lection Pop鈥; Second, David Mott, WVNS-TV, Beckley-Bluefield-Lewisburg, WV, 鈥淰eterans Voices: Honoring Those Who Served.鈥
Best Station Promo: First, David Mott, WVNS-TV, Beckley-Bluefield-Lewisburg, WV, 鈥淔reedom Isn鈥檛 Free鈥; Second, David Mott, WVNS-TV, Beckley-Bluefield-Lewisburg, WV, 鈥淭hank a Veteran.鈥
Best Newscast: First, Steve Rappaport, Kasey Hott and Kristen Cauley, WVIR-TV, Charlottesville, VA; Second, WTOV-TV, Wheeling, WV.
Best Weathercast: First, WVNS-TV, Beckley-Bluefield-Lewisburg, WV, 鈥淚ce Storm鈥; Second, Travis Koshko, AJ Willy and Franklin Spain, WCAV-TV, Charlottesville, VA, 鈥淪evere Weather.鈥
Best Weathercaster: First, Catherine Maxwell, WVVA-TV, Bluefield, WV; Second, Jeff Oechslein, WTOV-TV, Wheeling, WV.
Best TV News Anchor: First, Kasey Hott, WVIR-TV, Charlottesville, VA; Second, PJ Johnson, WCYB-TV, Bristol, VA.
Best TV Sports Anchor: First, Mike Shiers, WVIR-TV, Charlottesville, VA; Second, Nick Farrell, WBOY-TV, Clarksburg, WV.
Best Producer: First, Kristen Cauley, WVIR-TV, Charlottesville, VA; Second, Phyllis Smith, WTAP-TV, Parkersburg, WV.
Best Team News Coverage: First, WCYB-TV, Bristol, VA, 鈥淩emembering Officer Chandler鈥; Second, Todd Baucher and Zach Shrivers, WTAP-TV, Parkersburg, WV, 鈥淪tephens Retirement.鈥
Best Old Dominion Heritage: First, Simone McKenny, WHSV-TV, Harrisonburg, VA, 鈥淭he Journey鈥; Second, Heather Williams, WCYB-TV, Bristol, VA, 鈥淢arking Wise County鈥檚 Dark History.鈥
Best Mountain State Heritage: First, WTRF-TV, Wheeling, WV, 鈥淰eterans Voices鈥; Second, David Mott, WVNS-TV, Beckley-Bluefield-Lewisburg, WV, 鈥淰eterans Voices.鈥
Douglas Southall Freeman Award: First, WVIR-TV, Charlottesville, VA, 鈥淐onfederate Statue Removal Process鈥; Second, WVNS-TV, Beckley-Bluefield-Lewisburg, WV, 鈥淟ooking Back, Moving Forward, The 1,000 Year Flood.鈥
Outstanding News Operation of the Virginias: First, WVIR-TV, Charlottesville, VA; Second, WHSV-TV, Harrisonburg, VA.
RADIO I/METRO:
Best Spot News: First, Sandy Hausman, WVTF-FM, Roanoke, VA, 鈥淐harlottesville Monuments Removed鈥; Second, Ian Stewart, WCVE-FM/VPM, Richmond, VA, 鈥淧oll Workers Prepare for Another Pandemic Election Day.鈥
Best Continuing News: First, Ben Paviour and Whittney Evans, WCVE-FM/VPM, Richmond, VA, 鈥淢arijuana Legalization in Virginia鈥; Second, Liz McCormick, WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV, 鈥淐losing the COVID-19 Gap.鈥
Outstanding Sports Operation of the Virginias: First, Randy Leftwich, Greg Roberts and Leonard Wheeler, WFIR-AM/FM, Roanoke, VA; Second, Andrew Rogers, WMUL-FM, Huntington, WV.
Best Documentary or In-Depth: First, Trey Kay and Ryan Katz, WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV, 鈥淭hose Who Lack Good Oral Health Face Far More Than a Toothless Hillbilly Stereotype鈥; Second, Megan Pauley, Sara McCloskey and Crixell Matthews, WCVE-FM/VPM, Richmond, VA, 鈥淒reams Deferred: How an Overlooked Type of School Debt Is Affecting Thousands of Students in Virginia.鈥
Best Light Feature: First, Zack Harold, WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV, 鈥淔riends and Family Remember Russell Yann, Iconic Owner of Fairmont Hotdog Hotspot鈥; Second, Jordan Christie, WHRO-FM, Norfolk, VA, 鈥淭he Legacy of Grace Sherwood, the Alleged 鈥榃itch of Pungo鈥.鈥
Best Serious Feature: First, Jessica Lilly, WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV, 鈥淲oman Underground -- How One W.Va. Miner Found Family and Fatherly sa国际传媒ion in Coal鈥; Second, Sam Turken, WHRO-FM, Norfolk, VA, 鈥淚t鈥檚 Coming Quicker Than We Realize: Reckoning With a Future of More Flooding.鈥
Best Sports Feature: First, Ian Stewart, WCVE-FM/VPM, Richmond, VA, 鈥淥ne Year In, Black Girls Hike RVA Still Breaking Stereotypes鈥; Second, Jessica Lilly, WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV, 鈥淔ayetteville Native Takes 7th in Paralympics 100-Meters.鈥
Best Sports Play-by-Play: First, Joshua Lipowski, WQLU-FM, Lynchburg, VA, 鈥淟CA鈥檚 State Semi Final Football鈥; Second, Andrew Rogers and Nick Verzolini, WMUL-FM, Huntington, WV, 鈥淢arshall Men鈥檚 Basketball v. North Texas.鈥
Best Reporter: First, Jessica Lilly, WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV; Second, June Leffler, WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV.
Best QA (One-on-One) Interview: First, Gene Marrano, WFIR-AM/FM, Roanoke, VA, 鈥淒opesick-Hulu Interview鈥; Second, Liz McCormick, WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV, 鈥淩eturning Home: Berkeley County Special Education Teacher Lifts up Students With Disabilities.鈥
Best Specialty Reporting: First, Sam Turken, WHRO-FM, Norfolk, VA, 鈥淪ea Level Rise and Environmental Coverage鈥; Second, Ryan Murphy, WHRO-FM, Norfolk, VA, 鈥淩ace in Hampton Roads.鈥
Best Investigative Reporting: First, Paul Bibeau, WHRO-FM, Norfolk, VA, 鈥淢ore Than 400 Law Enforcement Calls Came From a Gloucester Assisted Living Facility. Will It Stay Open?鈥; Second, Ben Paviour, WCVE-FM/VPM, Richmond, VA, 鈥淎 Historically Black Town Stood in the Way of a Pipeline so Developers Claimed It Was Mostly White.鈥
Best Website: First, WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV.
Best Station Promo: First, Zane Bowles, WMUL-FM, Huntington, WV, 鈥淩obot Station鈥; Second, Zane Bowles, WMUL-FM, Huntington, WV, 鈥淣oisy Neighbors.鈥
Best Newscast: First, Ian Price, WFIR-AM/FM, Roanoke, VA; Second, Jeff Bossert, WVTF-FM, Roanoke, VA.
Best Radio News Anchor: First, Teresa Wills, WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV; Second, Jeff Stapleton, WRVA-AM, Richmond, VA.
Best Old Dominion Heritage: First, Jahd Khalil, WVTF-FM, Roanoke, VA, 鈥淭he Appalachian Trail鈥檚 COVID-19 Rebound.鈥
Best Mountain State Heritage: First, Zack Harold, WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV, 鈥淩etired Miner Makes Traditional Cream Pull Candy鈥; Second, Trey Kay and Brad Stratton, WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV, 鈥淯s and Them: Blair Mountain.鈥
Douglas Southall Freeman Award: First, William Fralin, Rick Mattioni and Sean Tubbs, WVTF-FM, Roanoke, VA, 鈥淐ivil Discussion Series.鈥
Outstanding News Operation of the Virginias: First, WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV; Second, WVTF-FM, Roanoke, VA.
RADIO II/NON-METRO:
Best Spot News: First, Dori Zook, WINA-AM/FM, Charlottesville, VA, 鈥淎nother Charlottesville City Manager Up and Quits鈥; Second, Jack Garrett, WAKG-FM, Danville, VA, 鈥淪hooting on Rocklawn Avenue.鈥
Best Continuing News: First, Jack Garrett, WBTM-AM, Danville, VA, 鈥淚ngram Censure and Administrator Firing鈥; Second, Dori Zook and Tyler Hammel, WINA-AM/FM, Charlottesville, VA, 鈥淪ines vs. Kessler Trial.鈥
Outstanding Sports Operation of the Virginias: First, Austin Bunn, Brandon Burnett and Josh Lineberry, WBTM-AM, Danville, VA; Second, Luke Neer, Adam Hawes and Channing Poole, WINA-AM/FM, Charlottesville, VA.
Best Light Feature: First, Josh Lineberry, WAKG-FM, Danville, VA, 鈥淩otary Donates $50,000 for Riverfront Park.鈥
Best Serious Feature: First, Jack Garrett, WBTM-AM, Danville, VA, 鈥淕overnors Announcement at Industrial Park鈥; Second, Michael Guthrie, WINA-AM/FM, Charlottesville, VA, 鈥淏urley School Field Restoration Project - not Just a Field, but a Neighborhood.鈥
Best Sports Feature: First, Barry Richmond, WAKG-FM, Danville, VA, 鈥淣ASCAR Noise鈥; Second, Josh Lineberry, Barry Richmond and David Hutcheson, WAKG-FM, Danville, VA, 鈥淏ehind the Wall Pre Race Show.鈥
Best Sports Play-by-Play: First, Channing Poole, WINA-AM/FM, Charlottesville, VA, 鈥淏aseball Is Berry Berry Good to UVa鈥; Second, Austin Bunn, WBTM-AM, Danville, VA, 鈥淕W Football.鈥
Best Reporter: First, Josh Lineberry, WAKG-FM, Danville, VA.
Best QA (One-on-One) Interview: First, Michael Guthrie, WINA-AM/FM, Charlottesville, VA, 鈥淗ow the Economy Will Impact the Housing Market鈥; Second, Josh Lineberry, WBTM-AM, Danville, VA, 鈥淒anville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce.鈥
Best Specialty Reporting: First, Michael Guthrie, WINA-AM/FM, Charlottesville, VA, 鈥淲here鈥檚 the Real Estate Market Heading Approaching 2022.鈥
Best Multi-Platform Story: First, Jack Garrett, WBTM-AM, Danville, VA, 鈥淐aesar鈥檚 Expands Plans for Danville Casino.鈥
Best Website: First, Ginyah Woodson, WAKG-FM, Danville, VA; Second, Ginyah Woodson, WBTM-AM, Danville, VA.
Best Newscast: First, Jack Garrett, WBTM-AM, Danville, VA; Second, Dori Zook, WINA-AM/FM, Charlottesville, VA, 鈥淎nywhere but the ER for COVID-19 Testing.鈥
Best Radio News Anchor: First, Dori Zook, WINA-AM/FM, Charlottesville, VA, 鈥淗ospitals and Omicron鈥; Second, Jack Garrett, WAKG-FM, Danville, VA.
Best Radio Sports Anchor: First, Adam Hawes, WINA-AM/FM, Charlottesville, VA, 鈥淥range You Glad the Hoos Won鈥; Second, Josh Lineberry, WBTM-AM, Danville, VA.
Best Old Dominion Heritage: First, Josh Lineberry, WBTM-AM, Danville, VA, 鈥淟ocal Hero Salute - Warrick Scott.鈥
Outstanding News Operation of the Virginias: First, Jay Hart, Dori Zook and Rob Graham, WINA-AM/FM, Charlottesville, VA; Second, Jack Garrett and Josh Lineberry, WBTM-AM, Danville, VA.
The Associated Press
