STLPR wins 10 INBA Crystal Mic Awards

The St. Louis Public Radio newsroom received 10 recognitions from the Illinois News Broadcasters Association (INBA) 2026 Crystal Mic Awards, including first place for Use of Sound, Writing, Investigative Reports, Podcasting and Digital Presence.

"These awards are a reflection of the important work our journalists do day in and day out on multiple platforms to serve our audience," said Rob Edwards, Managing Editor of News.

The INBA awards are decided by a voting membership of active and retired news professionals and educators in Illinois and other media markets serving Illinois. STLPR competed among large market radio stations in Chicago and St. Louis.

In addition to the first place awards, STLPR received second place recognitions for News Writing, Political Reporting and Use of Sound, and placed second for Best Station and Best Newscast.

You can hear and read many of the winning entries below.

Best Overall

First Place Digital Presence

Second Place Best Station

Second Place Best Newscast

Other honors

First Place Use of Sound: Marissanne Lewis-Thompson

How Foley artists transform watermelons into a chorus of feasting zombies in horror films

First Place Writing: Jeremy D. Goodwin

St. Louis Shakespeare celebrates its 25th year with a 1950s-inspired 'Hamlet'

First Place Investigative Report - Brian Munoz, Chad Davis, Kavahn Mansouri

A mother and son fled Colombia for a better life. He died in St. Louis on ICE's watch

First Place Podcasting: "We Live Here"

Second Place Use of Sound: Jeremy D. Goodwin

St. Louis composer uses sounds of nature in an urgent warning about climate change

Second Place News Writing: Will Bauer

Second Place Political Reporting: Will Bauer