The Radio Television Digital News Association announced the national winners of the 2026 Edward R. Murrow Awards.
Here are the Texas winners:
Large Market Television
Continuing Coverage
Unlicensed and Unchecked
WFAA
Dallas, TX
“Unlicensed and Unchecked.” What started as breaking news grew into something much bigger. This investigation exposed a hidden network of unlicensed facilities operating with little oversight, and the largely unregulated system of placement agents who helped fill them with elderly and disabled residents. WFAA’s reporting led Texas Governor Greg Abbott to sign two new bills into law aimed at protecting elderly and disabled residents from exploitation and neglect (description provided to me by TEGNA).
"Our journalists tell stories that make a difference and enrich the lives of the people we serve," said Raquel Amparo, senior vice president of content at TEGNA. "Every day, our news teams show up for their communities: holding power accountable, asking the questions that matter most, and celebrating the people and places that make a community special. If there's a meaningful and relevant story to be told, our teams bring it to our viewers."
KXAN Investigates | kxan.com
KXAN
Austin, TX
KXAN’s winning entry was a collection of investigative projects that combined reporting with digital storytelling, video, and other multimedia elements to hold the powerful accountable and give viewers a deeper understanding of important issues across Texas (descriptions provided by Nexstar Media Group, Inc.)
The projects included:
- “Human Trafficking: Barriers to Justice”
- “Code 98: Texas’ Dropout Problem”
- “Texas Energy Crossroads”
- “Undocumented: Texas’ Immigration Impact in a New Trump Era”
- “Sold Out: SXSW Musician Pay Highlights Industry Struggle”
“We are grateful to the Radio Television Digital News Association for recognizing the outstanding work of our newsrooms,” said Andrew Alford, President of Nexstar’s broadcasting division. “Nexstar remains committed to investing in strong local journalism and providing the free, trusted news and information that viewers across America rely on and deserve. We are steadfast in our support of local news and the vital role it plays in informing, connecting, and strengthening communities. Thank you again to RTDNA for the national Edward R. Murrow Awards.”
Large Market Radio
Excellence in Sound
‘El más dulce recuerdo’: 30 years later, Selena’s presence still felt in Corpus Christi
Texas Standard
Austin, TX
Three Black Texans were lynched 130 years ago. How can Austin preserve their memory?
KUT
Austin, TX
Small Market Television
Feature Reporting
The Bladesmith
KWTX
Waco, TX
KWTX in Waco, Texas, earned the Feature Reporting award for “Master Knife-maker Bill Smith Makes the Knives the Old-fashioned Way” in the Small Market category. The feature profiles retired art teacher Bill Smith, now in his early 80s, who handcrafts knives in Salado, Texas, and teaches the trade to veterans to help them find peace of mind.
“At Gray, our mission is to deliver exceptional, high-impact journalism that informs, protects, and strengthens the communities we serve,” said Gray Chief Executive Officer Hilton H. Howell Jr. “These nine National Murrow Awards, including the prestigious Overall Excellence honor for WANF, represent the very best of broadcasting. We are very proud of our dedicated journalists who work tirelessly to bring this vital coverage to light.”
“Receiving a National Murrow Award is one of the highest honors in journalism, and it reflects the deep trust our stations build with their audiences every day,” said Gray Chief Operating Officer Sandy Breland. “These teams have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to excellence, and we congratulate all of our winners on this well-deserved recognition.”
Small Market Radio
News Series
A Whole Other Country
Marfa Public Radio
Marfa, TX
Small Digital Organization
Continuing Coverage
Uninsured in America
Public Health Watch and Stateline
Austin, TX
Fumed
Public Health Watch and N+ Univision 45
Austin, TX
The RTDNA will honor the 2026 national winners at the annual Edward R. Murrow Awards Gala on October 12, 2026, at Gotham Hall in New York City.
