WAND named "Best Station" at INBA Crystal Mic Awards

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WAND) - WAND was named "Best Station" at the Illinois News Broadcasters Associations annual awards Saturday in Champaign.

The Crystal Mic Awards recognize the best in journalism in media markets that serve Illinois.

Anchors Deron Molen and Caroline Reese, Sports Anchor Jake Bedell, and Photojournalist Erika Ahola were also recognized for individual achievements.

The "Best Station" category recognizes journalism and storytelling in various newscasts, station and community events, special news programming, sports coverage, and weather.

WAND was recognized in the small market category.

Molen won first place in the Best Reporter and Writing categories. Reese placed second in the Writing category. Molen, Bedell, and Ahola placed first in the Videography category.

The INBA is a collection of individuals across Illinois mainly in television and radio. In addition to providing various resources to journalists the INBA also awards scholarships to students pursuing media careers.

Shaquille Brewster of NBC News was this year's keynote speaker at the Crystal Mic Awards.