The 60th annual
celebration of
the standard bearers
for excellence
in the television
broadcasting industry
The 2018 Chicago/Midwest Emmy Ceremony
will be held on Saturday, November 10, 2018
at the Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile,
Chicago Ballroom, 540 N. Michigan.
The Nominees
Outstanding Achievement for News Programming – Evening Newscast:
Larger Markets (1-50) (Award to the Team of Reporters, Meteorologists, Anchors, Producers, Photographers, Editors, Writers, Directors, and Assignment Editors)
• WGN Evening News 5pm Saturday February 17, 2018: WGN
• Live at 10:00 – May 15, 2018: WTMJ
• Campus Bus Crash, Historic Church Fire: WISN
• July Flooding: WMAQ
• 10pm Newscast — 2/13/18: WLS
• Telemundo Chicago News at 10pm – So Far Away, Yet So Close: Deadly Mexico Earthquake and Hurricane Maria: WSNS
• Blimp Crash, Lakefront Shooting: WISN
Outstanding Achievement for News Programming Evening Newscast:
Smaller Markets (51+) (Award to the Team of Reporters, Meteorologists, Anchors, Producers, Photographers, Editors, Writers, Directors, and Assignment Editors)
• Plant Explosion – WKOW 27 News at 5: WKOW
• Tornado Hits Wisconsin – WKOW 5pm: WKOW
• 13Newsat6-May3,2018:WREX
Outstanding Achievement for News Programming – Morning Newscast:
Larger Markets (1-50) (Award to the Team of Reporters, Meteorologists, Anchors, Producers, Photographers, Editors, Writers, Directors, and Assignment Editors)
• Live at Daybreak: Burlington Floods: WTMJ
• 6:30am Newscast — 4/25/18: WLS
• FOX6 WakeUp News – June 1, 2017: WITI
• Busy February Morning: WMAQ
• Freeway Inferno: WISN
Outstanding Achievement for News Programming – Morning Newscast:
Smaller Markets (51+) (Award to the Team of Reporters, Meteorologists, Anchors, Producers, Photographers, Editors, Writers, Directors, and Assignment Editors)
• Storm of the Century: WGBA
• 16 Morning News WNDU-TV: WNDU
Outstanding Achievement for News Gathering – Spot News
(Award to the Team of Reporters, Meteorologists, Anchors, Producers, Photographers, Editors, Writers, Directors, and Assignment Editors)
• Historic Church Fire: WISN
• The Shooting of Commander Paul Bauer: WMAQ
• CPD Commander Killed: WLS
• Flooding Disaster: WISN
• Historic Church Fire: WITI
• Commander Bauer Killed: WGN
• Summer Flooding: WGBO
Outstanding Achievement for News Gathering – Investigative Single Story
(Award to the Reporter/Producer)
• Unintended Consequences: Sex Offenders in Motels: WMAQ/WSNS
• Ladies of the Daylight: WITI
• Violence Against Nurses: WGN
• What Happened to the Background Check?: WGN
• I-Team: A Mystery at U of I: WLS
Outstanding Achievement for News Gathering – Investigative Series
(Award to the Reporter/Producer)
• Dirty Deeds: WITI
• Pastor Behind Bars: WDJT
• Deadly Pursuit: The Mysterious Flight of Taylor Clark: WMAQ/WSNS
• I-Team: Opioid Crisis Coverage: WLS
• Dangerous Bus Drivers: WBBM
Outstanding Achievement for News Gathering – Serious News
(Hard) Feature (Award to the Reporter/Producer)
• Cameras Watching You: WDJT
• Puerto Rico 5 Months After Hurricane Maria: WGBO
• Laurie Dann: WGN
• The Art of Detainment: Guantnamo Bay, Cuba: The Medill Justice Project
• Lights On In Puerto Rico!: WGN
• Deadly Impulse: The Surge in Preteen Suicide: WNDU
Outstanding Achievement for News Gathering – Serious News (Hard) Series
(Award to the Reporter/Producer)
• Voices of Domestic Violence: WGN
• Locked Up but NO Trial: WGN
• In a New York Minute: WITI
• The Time Drain at Train Crossings: WMAQ
• Where’s The Ambulance?: WBBM
Outstanding Achievement for News Gathering – Light News Feature/Series
(Award to the Reporter/Producer)
• Milton House Parts 1 & 2: WITI
• School Bus Deer Stand: Wisconsin Public Television
• Staying Alive with Chicago Footwork: Chicago Tribune
• From Games to Art: WTMJ
• In Search of Albert: WITI
• 1 Car, 60 Years: WISN
Outstanding Achievement for News Specialty Report/Series – Arts/Culture/Entertainment
(Award to the Reporter/Producer)
• Nyckelharpa: Wisconsin Public Television
• Preserving the Conservator – Jim DeYoung: WMVS, Milwaukee PBS
• Picture Perfect: WITI
• A Disney Director’s Animated Life: WGN
• Bucky on Parade Series: WMTV
• Public Art from All the Angles: Chicago Tribune
Outstanding Achievement for News Specialty Report/Series – Business/Consumer
(Award to the Reporter/Producer)
• Inside Foxconn: WITI
• IRS Scammer Fights Back: WDJT
• Hidden Hazards: Dangerous Toys: WITI
• I-Team: PIN Slamming: WLS
• A Crash Course: Bad Car Sales: WITI
• Chambelanes Dejan Plantada a Quinceaera el da de su Fiesta: WSNS
• Michiana 2027: Elkhart County’s Resurgence: WBND
Outstanding Achievement for News Specialty Report/Series – Crime
(Award to the Reporter/Producer)
• Surviving the Summer: WGN
• No Face, No Case: WITI
• Free Matt Sopron: WBBM
• The Daniel Green Interview: WMAQ
• Hispanics Framed by Detective Guevara: WGBO
Outstanding Achievement for News Specialty Report/Series – Education/Schools
(Award to the Reporter/Producer)
• Teaching Kids To Fly: WGN
• Grandpa Fred: WMTV
• Teacher of the Month Delia’s Story: WGN
• Experience is the Best Teacher: WGN
• No License? No Problem: WITI
Outstanding Achievement for News Specialty Report/Series – Environment
(Award to the Reporter/Producer)
• Here Comes the Sun: The Draw and Awe of ‘Chicagohenge’: WGN
• Contaminated: A Family’s Loss and their Fight for Answers: WREX
Outstanding Achievement for News Specialty Report/Series – Health/Science
(Award to the Reporter/Producer)
• Black Women & Infertility: WGN
• Life At Lambeau: WITI
• Uncharted territory: Kelly and Meagyn’s Journey: WISC
• New Hope Through Tragedy: The Silver Lining to the Opioid Epidemic: WITI
• Nail Through the Heart: WBAY
• Alexya’s Story: WTMJ
Outstanding Achievement for News Specialty Report/Series – Human Interest
(Award to the Reporter/Producer)
• More Than Words: WITI
• Sculpting a Shamrock: WITI
• The Whole Milwaukee: WITI
• Crash Victim Reunion: WGN
• Wos Art: Wisconsin Public Television
• The Widow’s Ring: WMTV
• @ThatBigGuy700 Lucha Contra la Obesidad: WSNS
Outstanding Achievement for News Specialty Report/Series – Politics/Government
(Award to the Reporter/Producer)
• Clipped Wings: The Kestrel Aircraft Story: WITI
• Rev. Jesse Jackson Remembers MLK Assassination: WGN
• Fleeing Illinois: WGN
• Political Dollars and Sense: WMAQ
Outstanding Achievement for News Specialty Report/Series – Military
(Award to the Reporter/Producer)
• Brothers of the Bunker Hill: WGN
• Soaring the High Seas: A Navy Series: WITI
• Weko Beach Taps: WNDU
• J.R. Salzman: Wisconsin Public Television
• The Woman in the Picture: WMTV
Outstanding Achievement for News Specialty Report/Series – Religion
(Award to the Reporter/Producer)
• From a Gang to God: WSNS
• Tahera’s American Hijab: Voice of America TV
• Dad of Eight, Father to All: WITI
• Angel at the Border: WGN
Outstanding Achievement for News Specialty Report/Series – Sports
(Award to the Reporter/Producer)
• Just One of the Guys: WISN
• A Shot In The Dark: WITI
• Marcell’s Moment: Wisconsin Public Television
• Jaxon’s Wish: Wisconsin Public Television
• The Game Changers: WGN
Outstanding Achievement for News Specialty Report/Series – Weather
(Award to the Reporter/Producer)
• Inside the Storm: WBND
• Anniversary of the Barneveld Tornado: WMTV
• Puerto Rico After Hurricane Maria: WGN
• Weathering the Storm after Hurricane Harvey: WISC
Outstanding Achievement for News Specialty Report/Series – Societal Concerns
(Award to the Reporter/Producer)
• Common Grounds: WGN
• Homelessness in Chicago: WGN
• Constitutional Controversy: WITI
• Underage Ridesharing – Too Young to Ride: WMAQ/WSNS
• Everyday Racism: WGN
• The Faces of the Opioid Epidemic: WREX
• Deadly Distraction: WMTV
• Changing Spaces: WITI
Outstanding Achievement for Sports Programs – Program Feature/Segment
(Award to the Producer/Reporter)
• Battle Tested: Cubs Advance To NLCS: Cubs Productions
• Inside The Mind – Josh Adams: Fighting Irish Media
• Sam Bush – A Forever Moment: Fighting Irish Media
• Rizzo Wins Roberto Clemente Award: Cubs Productions
• Into Focus: Nic Weishar: Fighting Irish Media
• Fighting Irish Media Presents: Lee Kiefer: Fighting Irish Media
Outstanding Achievement for Sports Programs – Program Series
(Award to the Producer/Host/Reporter)
• Cubs Off-Season In Florida: Cubs Productions
• Onward Notre Dame: Fighting Irish Media
• Packers Life: Packers Portraits: Green Bay Packers
• Boondock Nation: Blower Pow in British Columbia: Discover Mediaworks, Inc.
• On The Clock: Inside the Chicago Blackhawks 2017 Draft: Banner Collective/Chicago Blackhawks
Outstanding Achievement for Sports Programs – One Time Special
(Award to the Producer/Host/Reporter)
• Echoes 2017: Notre Dame Football Award Show: Fighting Irish Media
• Signing Sikura: Banner Collective/Chicago Blackhawks
• Chicago Bears-Meet The Rookies 2017: Chicago Bears Network
• Three of a Kind: Audlank Media
• Scout Story: Cubs Productions
• Spotlight: Vin Baker: Fox Sports Wisconsin
Outstanding Achievement for Sports Programs – Sporting Event/Game – Live/Unedited Program/Special
(Award to the Producer/Reporter/Host)
• Chicago White Sox 1917 Game Versus Cleveland: NBC Sports Chicago
• The Game of The Week – Evanston’s Winning Shot: WCIU
• NBC 5 Presents the Bank of America Chicago Marathon: WMAQ
• Notre Dame Hockey vs. Minnesota: Fighting Irish Media
• Milwaukee Bucks Basketball: Fox Sports Wisconsin
Outstanding Achievement for Sports Programs – Interview/Discussion Programming
(Award to the Producer/Reporter)
• Sports Edition – Black History Month Special: WCIU
• Inside The Friendly Confines: Cubs Productions
• Hometown Managers: Fox Sports Wisconsin
Outstanding Achievement for Documentary Programs – Cultural
(Award to Producer)
• Mas Que La Playa: StoryScreen, LLC
• Making A New American Nutcracker: WTTW
• Talk of the Town: Architects Marc and Nada Breitman: WTTW
Outstanding Achievement for Documentary Programs – Historical
(Award to Producer)
• A Golden Cross to Bear: A Story of the 33rd Division in World War 1: KaneStar Productions/WTVP
• A City At War: Chicago: Chicago Marine Heritage Society/Brian Kallies Productions
• 20: Cubs Productions
• Fighting on Both Fronts: The Story of the 370th: WTTW
• A Call for Freedom: TLN/Four:2 Media
• Our House: The Wisconsin Capitol: Wisconsin Public Television
Outstanding Achievement for Documentary Programs – Topical
(Award to Producer)
• Everyday Heroes: Grace in the Eye of the Storm: Spirit Juice Studios
• Violence: The New Plague: WGN
• Secrets of an Entrepreneur (Secretos De Una Emprendedora): WGBO
• Searching For Sustainability: Discover Mediaworks, Inc./LandsandLives.org
Outstanding Achievement for Informational/Instructional Programming – Program/Special/Series/Feature/Segment
(Award to Producer/Host/Reporter)
• Family Travel with Colleen Kelly: Wisconsin Public Television/Kelly Media Productions
• Chicago’s Best: Best Chicago Originals: Oak Brook Productions
• 1942: UChicago’s Race to the First Nuclear Reaction: University of Chicago
• Nuclear Reactions: A Complex Legacy: University of Chicago
• UW-Waukesha Field Station: WMVS, Milwaukee PBS
Outstanding Achievement for Interview/Discussion Programming – Program/Special/Series/Segment
(Award to Producer/Host/Reporter)
• Black History Month: The Movement: WCIU
• Windy City LIVE! – Turning Point Chicago: WLS
• Windy City LIVE! – Sc-Avenger Hunt: WLS
• Windy City LIVE! – March for Our Lives Town Hall: WLS
• Chicago Tonight: The Week in Review 40th Anniversary Special: WTTW
• Backstage Chicago: Blue Man Group: Comcast
Outstanding Achievement for Magazine Programming – Program/Special/Series/Segment
(Award to Producer/Host/Reporter)
• See It Chicago – The Catcade: Chicago’s Most Unique Animal Rescue: See It Media, LLC
• Built To Last: Hammers, Hearts and Magic: Answers Media
• Wisconsin Foodie – Heritage Tavern, J. Henry Bourbon, & Outstanding in the Field: Wisconsin Foodie LLC
• Wisconsin Foodie – Anarchy Acres: Wisconsin Foodie LLC
Outstanding Achievement for Public Affairs/Current Affairs Programming – Program/Special
(Award to Producer/Host/Reporter)
• 33rd Annual Golden Apple Awards: WTTW
• Crossing the Bridge: A Black Nouveau Special: WMVS, Milwaukee PBS
• Rostros 2017 (Faces of 2017): WGBO
• Cristo Rey St. Martin: One Last Tour: Cristo Rey St. Martin and Bitter Jester Studios
Outstanding Achievement for Public Affairs/Current Affairs Programming – Series
(Award to Producer/Host/Reporter)
• FOX6 Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month: WITI
• Heart and Soul: WLS
• The Ñ Beat: WLS
• In Harm’s Way: WNDU
Outstanding Achievement for Public Affairs/Current Affairs Programming – Segment
(Award to Producer/Host/Reporter)
• Encounter: Bicycle Tattoo:. Grotto Network
• Sonia Manzano is Maria in Sesame Street: WMVS, Milwaukee PBS
• End of DACA?: WGBO
• Everyday Heroes: Warrior for Christ: Spirit Juice Studios
• What Remains: WMVS, Milwaukee PBS
Outstanding Achievement for Special Event Coverage – Live/Edited (other than News or Sports)
(Award to the Producer/Host/Reporter)
• 2017 State Honors Concerts: Wisconsin Public Television
• Total Eclipse 2017: WGN
• The Magnificent Mile Lights Festival: WLS
• Chicago Auto Show: Inside Track: WBBM
Outstanding Achievement for Arts/Entertainment Programming –Program/Special/Series
(Award to the Producer/Host/Performer)
• Fox 6 Presents 50 Years Of Summerfest: WITI
• The Chicago River Tour with Geoffrey Baer: WTTW
• The Experience with Dedry Jones:. WTTW
• WISN 12 Season to Celebrate: WISN
Outstanding Achievement for Arts/Entertainment Programming – Segment
(Award to the Producer/Host/Performer)
• Conoce a Chicago desde lo Alto (Despierta con Zoe): WGBO/Vida Mujer International LLC
• The Logan Center for the Arts: 5th Anniversary: University of Chicago
• Catholic Arts Today – Sean Beeson: Spirit Juice Studios
• The Autograph Collection: Cubs Productions
• My Shot: Rocket Productions
• Trailblazers: The Bergamot: Grotto Network
Outstanding Achievement for Children/Youth/Teen Programming – Program/Special/Series
(Award to the Producer/Host/Reporter)
• Mr. B’s Brain Episode 2 “2D & 3D Shapes”: Tallo Filmworks Ltd.
• Gettin’ Families Fishin’: Discover Mediaworks, Inc.
• America’s Hunter Legacy: Discover Mediaworks, Inc.
Outstanding Achievement for Human Interest Programming – Program/Special/Series/Segment
(Award to the Producer/Host/Reporter)
• Seeing Brave: Freeheart Creative LLC
• First Time Fans – Armando Sanchez: Grotto Network
• Ties Between Puerto Ricans in the Island and Chicago 3 Months after Maria: WGBO
• reIMAGINE: DaShaun Curtis: Grotto Network
• Honoring Our Hero: Police Canine BRIX: The Chicago Police Department Communications Office
• Perry’s People: WITI
• My Friend Linkin: WMVS, Milwaukee PBS
Outstanding Achievement for Interactivity
• Chicago’s Best: Taco Crawl: Oak Brook Productions
• Stollies: High Speed Impact: WTMJ
• Survivors Project: WMAQ
• Melinda Davenport: Daily Interactivity: WISN
Outstanding Achievement for Community/Public Service (PSAs) – Single Spot/Campaign
(Award to Producer)
• Community: KemperLesnik
• Secretary of State: Donate Life: Banner Collective
• What Are You Running From?: Daily Planet Productions
• Neighborhood Heroes:. WMAQ
Outstanding Achievement for News Promo Single Spot/Campaign
(Award to the Producer)
• NBC 5 Investigates & NBC 5 Responds: “Relentless”: WMAQ
• Chicago’s Very Own: WGN
• Milwaukee’s New Leader at 10: WISN
• Edicion Digital Launch Promo: WGBO
• The Jam Promos: WCIU
Outstanding Achievement for Programming Promos (Non-News) Single Spot/Campaign
(Award to the Producer)
• Documentary Series Promos: WGBO
• Cubs: “Putting the Art back into the Game”: NBC Sports Chicago
• Cubs: Headlines: NBC Sports Chicago
• 20: Cubs Productions
• WGN-TV Go Cubs Go: WGN
• Orgullo Chicago 2018: WGBO
Outstanding Achievement for Commercials – Single Spot
(Award to the Producer)
• Big Shoulders Fund – Circle of Impact: p3 mediaworks
• Ways We Watch: CI Design
• Raising Voices — The Chicago Children’s Choir: The Specialists
• The Night Before SoxMas: Chicago White Sox
Outstanding Achievement for Commercials – Campaign
(Award to the Producer)
• Wintrust: Numbers: Banner Collective
• This Is My Crew:. CI Design
Outstanding Crafts Achievement for On-Camera Talent – News Anchor
• Brad Hicks – WITI
• Larry Potash – WGN
• Terrell Brown – WLS
• Irene Sanchez – WSNS
• Melinda Davenport – WISN
Outstanding Crafts Achievement for On-Camera Talent – Weather Anchor
• Jon Hansen – WCIU
• Larry Mowry – WLS
• Cameron Moreland – WGBA
• Drew Burgoyne – WDJT
• Maria Elena Ponticiello – WSNS
Outstanding Crafts Achievement for On-Camera Talent – Sports Anchor/Reporter/Play-by-Play
• Sophia Minnaert – Fox Sports Wisconsin
• Scott Grodsky – WDJT
• Charlie Sokaitis –WGBA
Outstanding Crafts Achievement for On-Camera Talent – Program Host/Moderator
• Elliott Bambrough – Oak Brook Productions
• Sandy Maxx – WMVS, Milwaukee PBS
• Ryan Chiaverini – WLS
• John McGivern – WMVS, Milwaukee PBS
• Jane Monzures –Oak Brook Productions
• Jovanny Evans – WGBO
Outstanding Crafts Achievement for On-Camera Talent – Program Correspondent/Narrator/Performer
• Roger Amm – KaneStar Productions/WTVP
• Angela Ingersoll – HMS Media
• Carl Deffenbaugh – WITI
Outstanding Crafts Achievement for On-Camera Talent –General Assignment Reporter
• Jonathon Gregg – WITI
• Amy DuPont – WITI
• Jeremy Ross – WBBM
Outstanding Crafts Achievement for On-Camera Talent – Investigative Reporter
• Jason Knowles – WLS
• Ben Bradley – WGN
• Bryan Polcyn – WITI
• Dave Savini – WBBM
Outstanding Crafts Achievement for On-Camera Talent – Traffic/Transportation Reporter
• Roz Varon – WLS
• Andy Brovelli – WDJT
• Jennifer Milkowski – WFLD
Outstanding Crafts Achievement Off-Air – Graphics Arts/Animation/Art Direction/Set Design
• Philip Ashby, Rodney Lambright, Brian Lorbiecki, Brandon Ribordy – Wisconsin Public Television
• Ross Gerbasi, Jessica Plummer – Bitter Jester Studios and Threaded Films
• Steve Bailey, James Cartner, Brady Hyde, Christopher Kemnic, Mack McLaughlin – WCIU
• Tim Saunders – Broadcast Design International, Inc./WBBM
Outstanding Crafts Achievement Off-Air – Audio
• Cody Baker – Fighting Irish Media
• Masaki Araya, Andrew Twiss -. HMS Media
Outstanding Crafts Achievement Off-Air – Lighting• Thomas Godar – WTTW
• Jeff De Vries – TLN/Four:2 Media
• Cody Baker, Jonathan Cotton, Zach Dudka, Takato Mizutani, Randy Orak – Fighting Irish Media
Outstanding Crafts Achievement Off-Air – Directing• Pat Gostele – Cubs Productions
• Adam Donaldson – Fighting Irish Media
• Joel Mains – TLN/Four:2 Media
• Nicolas DeGrazia – Bitter Jester Studios
• Steven Novak – WGN
• Ivan Garcia, Alessandra Martin -. WGBO
• Jodain Massad – Fighting Irish Media
Outstanding Crafts Achievement Off-Air: Editor – News• Andrew Konkle – WITI
• Morgan Wolfe – WMTV
• Dave Michuda – WITI
Outstanding Crafts Achievement Off-Air: Editor – Program (Non-News)• Darin Malkowski – WMVS, Milwaukee PBS
• Jordan Arseneau – Oak Brook Productions
• Tad Hathaway – 312 Media/CollegeInsider.com
• Brian Kallies – Chicago Marine Heritage Society/Brian Kallies Productions
• Jordan Arseneau – WLS
• Joel Mains – TLN/Four:2 Media
• Kane Farabaugh – KaneStar Productions/WTVP
• Mike Janowski – Jaz & Company Electronic Post/Oak Brook Productions
Outstanding Crafts Achievement Off-Air: Editor – Promotions/PSAs/Commercials• Cody Baker – Fighting Irish Media
• Karen Kulovitz Shimek – WCIU
• Kane Farabaugh – KaneStar Productions/WTVP
Category #27-a Outstanding Crafts Achievement Off-Air: Photographer – News
• Ryan Ward – Wisconsin Public Television
• Kevin Doellman, Reed Nolan – WGN
• Andrew Konkle – WITI
Outstanding Crafts Achievement Off-Air: Photographer – Program (Non-News)• Brian Ewig – WMVS, Milwaukee PBS
• Ross Gerbasi, Max Wilson -. Chicago Timelapse
• Marc Gerke – J7 Pictures, Inc.
• Samuel Peltz – Cubs Productions
• Alfredo Roman – WGBO
• Nicholas Alyinovich, Dennis J. Burgin, Jeff De Vries, Clayton Horsfall, Joel Mains, Scott Parker –
TLN/Four:2 Media
Outstanding Crafts Achievement Off-Air: Writer – News• Trevor Keller – Wisconsin Public Television
• Michael Lowe – WGN
• Brad Hicks – WITI
• LeeAnn Watson – WITI
• Jeremy Ross – WBBM
• John Stofflet – WMTV
Outstanding Crafts Achievement Off-Air: Writer – Program (Non-News)• Jovanny Evans – WGBO
• Daniel Andries, Geoffrey Baer, Elizabeth Reeves – WTTW
• John Davies – Chicago Marine Heritage Society/Brian Kallies Productions
• Nicolas DeGrazia, Alex Hoy, Daira Rodriguez, Candice Tonon – Cristo Rey St. Martin and Bitter Jester Studios
• Tom Desch – Lakeshore Public Media/House Painter Media, LLC
• Jodain Massad – Fighting Irish Media
Outstanding Crafts Achievement Off-Air: Writer – Short Form (Promos, PSAs, Commercials, etc.)• Kane Farabaugh – KaneStar Productions/WTVP
• Jason Polevoi – Oak Brook Productions
• Ryan Johnson, Andrew Lennie, Pat Tomasulo, Thomas Vodick – WGN
