The Radio Television Digital News Association announced the national winners of the 2025 Edward R. Murrow Awards.
Here are the Texas winners:
Excellence in Innovation
A Hanging on Backbone Creek: Unraveling Texas' antiquated death investigations
KXAN
Austin, TX
The mysterious death of 13-year-old Daynon Lewis haunts the town of Marble Falls, TX, nearly 60 years after her body was discovered hanging in a shed behind her family’s home. Quickly ruled an accidental strangulation by a local justice of the peace, questions linger about this case and others nearby. KXAN’s reporting exposed an antiquated process still used in most Texas counties that gives certain elected officials the power to determine cause and manner of death with scant training and often without autopsies or forensic expertise.
During KXAN’s reporting, Texas lawmakers resumed their efforts to modernize this dubious system and initiated a fresh review of Miss Lewis’s case.
https://www.kxan.com/backbone-creek/
“The national Edward R. Murrow award won by KXAN-TV highlights the work of our journalists across the company and their commitment to innovation in storytelling, trusted broadcast journalism, exceptional public service, and community involvement,” said Andrew Alford, President of Nexstar’s broadcasting division. “We are honored and grateful to the RTDNA for recognizing KXAN-TV.”
Excellence in Writing
I Need a Last Line
WFAA
Dallas, TX
Jjournalist Jobin Panicker showcases the power of strategic storytelling across diverse narrative formats. Each piece takes a different approach, from in-depth features developed over several days to same-day breaking news that requires tight, clear reporting.
Hard News
Austin airport is getting new runway safety tech that could have prevented near-miss
KUT
Austin, TX
Newscast
Texas Public Radio's Morning Edition
Texas Public Radio
San Antonio, TX
Hard News
In West Texas, rural sheriffs may not enforce state’s controversial new immigration law
Marfa Public Radio
Marfa, TX
Breaking News Coverage
Biden steps down — Harris steps up
The 19th
Austin, TX
