WAMC News wins regional Edward R. Murrow Award

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WAMC Northeast Public Radio is a regional winner of the prestigious 2006 Edward R. Murrow Awards for excellent in electronic journalism, The Radio-Television News Directors Association has announced. WAMC's Northeast Report, anchored by Senior Correspondent Brian Shields and airing weekdays at 3:30 and 6 p.m., was cited as Best Newscast. WAMC competes in a regional category comprising all "small market" radio stations in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The association divides the competition into large markets, such as New York City and Philadelphia, and others such as Albany, Rochester, Syracuse, and Harrisburg, Pa. WAMC's 14-station regional network, which includes WAMQ 105.1 FM in Great Barrington, serves an estimated monthly audience of more than a third of a million in portions of seven states. Regional winners, including WAMC, are eligible for the national awards competition, to be judged in early June. The national Edward R. Murrow Awards will be presented Oct. 16 at a dinner in New York City. Alan Chartock, President and CEO of WAMC, Northeast Public Radio, said: "This award is very gratifying. WAMC's members have supported the station in record amounts and their commitment is paying off. This is really their award." "This much sought-after award is a wonderful tribute to the professionalism and dedication of the WAMC News team," said Vice-President of News and Cultural Affairs Clarence Fanto. "All of our news anchors, bureau chiefs, correspondents and producers have much to be proud of. At a time when most news operations are being downsized with dwindling budgets, it is a privilege to be associated with forward-thinking management that has committed increasing resources to expanding and improving WAMC's already formidable news division." Brian Shields, a 16-year veteran of WAMC News, anchored the local portion of NPR's "Morning Edition" for 10 years. He currently anchors "Midday Magazine" in addition to the two daily Northeast Reports and other newscasts during local segments of "All Things Considered." Shields has been a broadcast journalist for 28 years, having worked previously at Albany area stations WGY, WQBK and WGNA. He is a graduate of Empire State College and attended Syracuse University,. Shields cites legendary NBC Nightly News anchors Chet Huntley and David Brinkley as his role models. He lives in Delmar, N.Y., with his wife, Marjorie, and his beloved cat, Buddy. Producer of the WAMC Northeast Report and other local news programming at the station is Katie Britton, who has been with WAMC for three years. WAMC News originates more than three hours a day of live, local news programming, not including the daily news and information program "The Roundtable," airing weekdays from 9 to noon. WAMC's regional network includes WAMC-FM, 90.3 FM, Albany WAMC, 1400 AM, Albany; WAMK 90.9 FM, Kingston; WOSR, 91.7 FM, Middletown; WCEL, 91.9 FM, Plattsburgh; WCAN, 93.3 FM, Canajoharie; WANC, 103.9 FM, Ticonderoga; WRUN, 1150 AM, Utica; WAMQ 105.1 FM, Great Barrington, MA; 93.1 FM, Troy; 88.9 FM, Oneonta; 97.1 FM, Hudson; 107.7 FM, Newburgh, NY; 91.9 Southington, CT; and on-line at www.wamc.org. RTNDA has been honoring outstanding achievement in electronic journalism with the Murrow Awards since 1971. A total of 3,253 regional entries were received this year from 12 regional areas. Judges gave 606 awards to 279 stations in 14 categories ranging from overall excellence to spot news, best newscast, continuing coverage and investigative reporting. RTNDA is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year as the world's largest professional organization devoted to electronic journalism. RTNDA is made up of local and network news professionals in broadcasting, cable and other electronic media in more than 30 nations. WAMC Northeast Public Radio's station network: WAMC-FM 90.3 FM, Albany; WAMC, 1400 AM, Albany; WAMK 90.9 FM, Kingston; WOSR, 91.7 FM, Middletown; WCEL, 91.9 FM, Plattsburgh; WCAN, 93.3 FM, Canajoharie; WANC, 103.9 FM, Ticonderoga; WRUN, 1150 AM, Utica; WAMQ 105.1 FM, Great Barrington, MA; 93.1 FM, Troy; 88.9 FM, Oneonta; 97.1 FM, Hudson; 107.7 FM, Newburgh, NY; 91.9 Southington, CT; and on-line at www.wamc.org
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North Adams Man Indicted on Murder, Arson Charges

Staff Reports
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Darius Hazard was arraigned in Berkshire Superior Court on Thursday on two counts of first-degree murder related to deaths of his parents last November. 
 
Hazard, 44, pleaded not guilty to the charges and to a third charge of arson of a dwelling house.
 
He is being held without bail at the Berkshire County House of Correction, where he has been housed since Nov. 25. 
 
Hazard is accused of assaulting his parents, Donald Hazard, 83, and Venture Hazard, 76, on Nov. 24, 2025, and setting fire to the family on Francis Street. 
 
The bodies of his parents were discovered in the home by firefighters. 
 
North Adams Police said Hazard allegedly confessed to the assaults and the arson when he was taken into custody that day.
 
Hazard was initially arraigned in Northern Berkshire District Court on Nov. 26 and was to appear for a pretrial hearing on March 3. That hearing was postponed but he was indicted March 23 on the felony charges and his case removed to Berkshire Superior Court. 
 
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