Published by New Jersey Stage
originally published: 06/24/2026
(NEWARK, NJ) -- The Public Media Journalists Association (PMJA) has announced the winners of its 2026 Annual Awards Competition, and WBGO has emerged as a standout, capturing two top honors and two second-place finishes.
WBGO's president & CEO Steven A. Williams could not have been more delighted, "I am enormously proud of our News team for this recognition which underscores Doug Doyle's unwavering commitment to excellence, integrity, and serving our community with impactful, high-quality reporting. These awards reflect not only his talent, but his deep dedication to telling the stories that matter most."
Among the 134 organizations honored nationwide across 36 categories, WBGO shone brightly. The WBGO News Update with Doug Doyle claimed the best Newscast award, while John Kalish's story, "Captioning Glasses Help People with Hearing Loss to Understand Speech," took first place in Science/Technology features.
WBGO Radio earned second place in the Arts Feature category for News Director Doug Doyle's piece, "The Corona Collection at the Louis Armstrong House Museum" which highlighted the Queens community's love, remembrance, and profound pride in having this globally recognized icon as a neighbor and a mentor. The WBGO Journal, specifically the November 8, 2025 edition, hosted by Doug Doyle and featuring highlights of the NJ/NY elections as well as an interview with the legendary goalie Henrik Lundqvist, and Anna Gordon's interview with the creator of "Hey Arnold!" added to the celebration with a second-place finish in the News & Public Affairs category.
"WBGO is thrilled to be recognized again by PMJA. We couldn't provide this kind of in-depth programming without the support of our listeners. To be recognized in newscast, public affairs programming as well as arts and science/technology feature categories, is something we take great pride in producing for our wonderful public radio community," said the station's news director Doug Doyle.
Altogether, the PMJA presented 293 honors, celebrating the excellence and impact of public media journalism and the dedicated journalists and organizations nationwide who deliver the quality, creative reporting our communities rely on.
For 47 years, WBGO has been the pride of Newark, New Jersey, and a global leader in jazz media. The station remains dedicated to excellence, fostering an environment that champions best practices. Its news division stands as a vital cornerstone, delivering accurate coverage of local, national, and international stories.
Since 2020, WBGO has earned more than 20 first- and second-place awards from the PMJA, a testament to its ongoing excellence and a source of well-deserved congratulations.
PMJA will host a virtual ceremony honoring winners from both the Annual Awards Competition and the 2026 Recognition Awards. The event is open to anyone interested in attending. Visit www.pmja.org for more information or to see the complete list of winners.
WBGO is a global leader in jazz media, producing broadcasts, webcasts, podcasts, and on-demand content for millions of listeners worldwide. Founded in 1979, WBGO is a publicly supported cultural arts institution dedicated to curating, preserving, and promoting jazz and blues. The station reaches over 18 million listeners in the New York/New Jersey metro area via 88.3FM, and tens of thousands more across the United States, Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. WBGO is a charter member of National Public Radio and co-produces the NPR-distributed program Jazz Night in America, broadcast on more than 180 radio stations nationwide.
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EVENT PREVIEWS
37th Annual Manayunk Arts Festival to Take Place June 27-28, 2026
(PHILADELPHIA, PA) -- Manayunk Development Corporation is excited to celebrate the 37th Annual Manayunk Arts Festival on Saturday, June 27, 2026 from 11:00am to 7:00pm and Sunday, June 28, 2026 from 11:00am to 5:00pm. The tradition of being the tri-state area's largest outdoor juried art festival - and the largest in Pennsylvania - will continue as Main Street hosts approximately 300 different local and nationally known artists and crafters.
Carteret's Independence Day Festival to feature country star Walker Hayes
(CARTERET, NJ) -- One of New Jersey's most popular Independence Day Festivals will take place in Carteret's Civic Center Park (100 Cooke Avenue) from 6:00pm to midnight on Friday, July 3, 2026 in celebration of America's 250th birthday.
Bergen County presents 3rd Annual Star-Spangled Spectacular
(RIDGEFIELD PARK, NJ) -- County Executive Jim Tedesco, the County Board of Commissioners, and the Bergen 250 Initiative are excited to announce that Bergen County's 3rd Annual Star-Spangled Spectacular will return July 4, 2026 at Overpeck County Park. All are invited to attend this patriotic afternoon of family fun which will include live music, children's activities, over 20 food trucks, a beer and wine garden, carnival attractions, and stunning fireworks to conclude the evening over Overpeck Creek.
Washington Crossing Historic Park Launches Community-Wide Call to Support Expanded Independence Day Celebration in America's 250th Anniversary Year
(WASHINGTON CROSSING, PA) -- Washington Crossing Historic Park (WCHP) in Pennsylvania plans to host an expanded Independence Day Celebration on Saturday, July 4, 2026 from 4:00pm to 9:30pm featuring immersive living history experiences, family-friendly activities, live music, and the return of fireworks over the Delaware River. Designed as a community-wide celebration of America250, the event is intended to create a meaningful space for residents and visitors to commemorate this historic milestone year. Please note: Admission is required; registration is recommended only for the 4:00pm ‐ 8:00pm Living History Program. The evening concert and fireworks are free and open to the public; no registration is required to attend those portions of the event.
Passage Theatre Company presents 3rd Annual Word on Front festival
(TRENTON, NJ) -- Passage Theatre Company's third annual Word on Front event is set to be its biggest yet. In celebration of the United States of America's 250th Anniversary, the company is presenting Word on Front 250, three consecutive weekends of a variety of live arts from June 26 to July 12, 2026. This festival of spoken word, music, and solo performance will celebrate the untold and underrepresented stories of America.
SOPAC presents Stewart Copeland: Have I Said Too Much? on July 16th
(SOUTH ORANGE, NJ) -- Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Stewart Copeland brings his first American spoken-word tour (Have I Said Too Much?) to the South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC) on Thursday, July 16, 2026 at 7:30pm. Copeland is the founding drummer of The Police and one of rock's most inventive forces.
Centenary Stage Company Announces Lineup for SUMMERFEST 2026
(HACKETTSTOWN, NJ) -- Centenary Stage Company's SUMMERFEST 2026 is set to take center stage in the Lackland Performing Arts Center with four productions running through the summer months. SUMMERFEST will feature, A Taste of Ireland presented by Pace Live, The Wedding Singer, Four Sticks: The Music of Led Zeppelin, and Maltby & Shire's Closer Than Ever.
Hallmark Stars Take the Stage at The Carteret PAC on July 22nd during First-Time Multi-City Tour Experience Hallmark Stars Live
(CARTERET, NJ) -- Hallmark and Gershwin Entertainment are proud to announce Hallmark Stars Live presented by Michaels, a new live tour kicking off at URSB Carteret Performing Arts and Events Center on Wednesday, July 22, 2026 at 7:30pm where some of the network's most beloved stars step off screen and onto the stage. Hosted by fan-favorite Nikki DeLoach (A Grand Ole Opry Christmas), the tour will feature Hallmark mainstays for a night where the cameras are off – and the stories keep rolling.
Hallmark Stars Live comes to MPAC on July 26th
(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- Hallmark Stars Live presented by Michaels, is a new live tour kicking off this summer where some of the network's most beloved stars step off screen and onto the stage. Hosted by fan-favorite Nikki DeLoach (A Grand Ole Opry Christmas), the tour will feature Hallmark mainstays for a night where the cameras are off – and the stories keep rolling. The tour comes to Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC) on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at 7:00pm.
