KARE pair beats networks to win national Emmy

A pair of KARE 11's very own went to the national Emmy awards for news Monday and left with the first place trophy.

Photojournalist John Drilling and reporter Boyd Huppert beat two network-produced stories from CBS Sunday Morning and an ABC World News Tonight segment with their story called "Portrait of Compassion." The pair introduced us to Kaziah Hancock, a Utah artist who paints portraits of soldiers killed in action. Huppert and Drilling followed Kaziah as she made a portrait for a Minnesota family.

"I'm kind of speechless and shellshocked today," Drilling said about the win. "I just had always said to myself 'at least we got fourth place, and I'm good with that. At least we did good work and we're nominated and I'm happy with that.'"

The Kaziah story first aired on KARE 11, but its eventual airing on NBC's Today show made it eligible for the national award. It was the only NBC Today Show story nominated for an Emmy. "Nightly News with Brian Williams" was honored with two Emmy statues. Tom Brokaw's in-depth reporting on Global Warming for the Discovery Channel, and was honored in the long-form documentary category.

"We both about fell off of our chairs. I don't think either one of us expected to actually win," Huppert said, noting the network competition. "We were just happy to be invited to their party.

"One of the first calls I made last night was to Kaziah, the artist. She called me back this morning and she was crying on the phone she was so happy with the news. It made us feel really good, too, to know that this means something to her."

Huppert called the national award" a nice affirmation for what we believe to be important."

"It is a recognition of what KARE holds important, I think, and that is devoting our precious time and resources to telling stories that go beyond arson fires and drive-by shootings.

"If we don't open our eyes to the stories that uplift, we can get mired in the bad and the social ill. It is important that we tell those stories, too but we have to remind ourselves that there is also good in our communities and good in the world. John and I are proud to be at a television station that recognizes that."

You can view the entire award winning Extra .

Project Compassion

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