Nebraska Public Media Receives 2026 Pinnacle Awards from NBA

For Immediate Release

Nebraska Public Media Receives 2026 Pinnacle Awards from NBA

LINCOLN, Neb. (Aug. 18, 2026) – The Nebraska Broadcasters Association recently honored Nebraska Public Media with seven Pinnacle Awards recognizing the network’s excellence in radio.

These included a gold for “Nebraska Utilities Dealing with Energy Growth” by senior reporter/producer Fred Knapp in the Service to Business, Industry, Government or Education category.

In the Best Spot News Reporting category, Nebraska Public Media earned silver for its special Nebraska Update report of “Nebraska Wildfires.” Contributors were Jackie Ourada, Andy Hermann, Scott Koperski and Macy Byars. It also received a bronze for “Omaha ICE Raid” by senior reporter Kassidy Arena, reporter Molly Ashford and Knapp.

The network earned three additional silver awards for “Murder-Suicides Surge in Nebraska” by Ashford in the Best In-Depth or Investigative Story category, “UNL Proposes Academic Program Eliminations” by reporter Jolie Peal in the Best Continuing Coverage of a News Story category and “Grand Island Middle Schools Football Rivalry” by reporter/producer Aaron Bonderson and Peal in the Best Multiplatform Journalism category.

“Online Learning on Snow Days; Others Sled Away” by Peal received bronze in the Service to Children category.

The 2026 Nebraska Broadcasters Association Pinnacle Awards program was held Aug. 12 in Lincoln. The program was established in 1958 to recognize and encourage excellence in broadcasting and service to the community by Nebraska radio and television stations.

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About Nebraska Public Media

Nebraska Public Media has connected people with news, sports, education and entertainment since 1954. Providing global and compelling stories from PBS and NPR, the statewide public media network also produces award-winning local content. Its programs and services reach Nebraskans through television, radio, podcasts, digital platforms, social media and mobile apps. Visit NebraskaPublicMedia.org for more information.