Little Rock Public Radio’s flagship podcast, Track One, has been awarded the station’s first National Edward R. Murrow Award from the Radio Television Digital News Association.
The podcast’s first episode, titled “Shelved, Episode 1: Patty,” won Best Podcast in the Small Market Radio category. The episode won the Regional Murrow Award in the same category in May, and faced winners from 12 other regions in the national contest.
“I couldn’t be prouder of this newsroom. A national Murrow Award is one of the highest honors in journalism, and to have Track One receive LRPR’s first is an incredible achievement,” said Little Rock Public Radio General Manager Jonathan Seaborn. “It reflects the talent and dedication of the journalists who produce the podcast and the trust they’ve built with our community. More than anything, this award is a reminder that Little Rock is producing some of the best journalism in the country.”
Track One is the brainchild of LRPR’s Politics and Government Reporter, Josie Lenora, who hosts and writes the show. Lenora says the award builds upon years of listening, reporting and learning how to tell compelling stories.
“Since I was a child listening to This American Life on KUAR, I've dreamed of making documentary radio. I’m still processing the win. It's surreal,” Lenora said. “My chest felt warm when I first saw my newsroom next to other outlets I admire: NBC, ABC, Reveal, ProPublica, WBUR and LAist also won national Murrow awards.”
“Shelved, Episode 1: Patty” is part of a two-episode series looking at book bans in Arkansas libraries. The episode tells the story of Patty Hector, the former director of the Saline County Library, her clashes with residents seeking to remove books featuring LGBTQ+ themes and characters, and the public fallout from the dispute.
“‘Shelved, Episode 1: Patty’ is an important story about one small community at war with the First Amendment,” Lenora said. “I am especially grateful to Patty Hector for sharing her story with me.”
Lenora also credits her colleagues’ work on the podcast, in particular LRPR Contributing Editor Maggie Ryan, who serves as the show’s executive producer and fact checker. Seaborn, News Director Daniel Breen, Morning Edition Host Nathan Treece and Operations Coordinator Sarah Buford also contributed to the episode.
Lenora also shouts out the LRPR fundraising team which continues to support the station’s newsroom amid a loss in federal funding, as well as one external advisor: her mother.
“[She] suggested five years ago I apply to work at Little Rock Public Radio as an intern. I knew then I wanted to be a radio reporter, but I didn't think I would do a good job. I am so glad she convinced me I was wrong.
“I love my job. I love my colleagues. Little Rock Public Radio is a hardworking and supportive environment. I am so happy to have earned this award for the same station I listened to my whole life. The station that sparked my dream of being a radio reporter,” Lenora said.
National winners will be honored at the annual Murrow Awards Gala in New York on October 12.
