UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — An award-winning newscast produced by Penn State students was honored as the nation’s Best Newscast, according to College Broadcasters Inc. and the organization’s annual CBI Awards.
“Centre County Report,” produced weekly during the academic year by journalism students in the Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications, has aired on WPSU-TV in State College since its launch in 2005. The newscast streams live on YouTube and is available to viewers across Pennsylvania and beyond as part of partnerships with news channels in Johnstown-Altoona-State College (WTAJ), Philadelphia (KYW), Pittsburgh (KDKA), Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (WNEP) and Baltimore (WJZ).
The CBI Awards have recognized “Centre County Report” as the nation’s best newscast three years in a row.
This year’s award-winning episode was from April 4, 2025. Another episode of the newscast, from Dec. 13, 2024, placed third in the competition.
A newscast story about the teacher crisis in Pennsylvania won first place for Best Hard News Reporting. In addition, Penn State entries placed third in Best Sport Reporting and fourth in Best Feature News Reporting.
CBI is a member-driven organization serving students and advisers of student media. Through evets, programs and a network of expertise, CBI fosters experiential learning, professional opportunities and advocacy for the success of student media programs.