WBUR secures two first-place National Headliner Awards for coverage of public housing and supervised consumption

Collaborative projects produced by WBUR with partners ProPublica and NPR have earned the media organizations first-place wins across National Headliner Awards radio categories this year.

"Empty public housing"
WBUR, ProPublica

WBUR's Todd Wallack and Christine Willmsen have been recognized as first-place winners in the "radio stations news series" category for their investigation in collaboration with ProPublica titled "Empty public housing." ProPublica is an independent, nonprofit newsroom that produces investigative journalism headquartered in New York City.

The three-part series explored how Massachusetts is grappling with a housing crisis. At the time of the reporting, 184,000 people had applied for a home in the state's public housing system. Yet WBUR's investigation revealed there were 2,300 vacant units, due to a range of problems including the state's inefficient central waitlist and a lack of funding to repair aging properties. Massachusetts is one of four states with its own housing system — and twice as many units as the other three states combined. Massachusetts is the third most expensive state in the country for renters.

"We're thankful the judges decided to recognize this work," said Wallack, the lead reporter on the project. "We have heard from so many people who are desperate to find affordable housing and stunned to learn about the vacancies."

Headliner judges called the WBUR, ProPublica report "a thorough examination of a completely broken system for placing Massachusetts residents in public housing… [This is] clear-headed reporting about a process that really should work better."

Willmsen is the managing editor of WBUR's investigations team and has led the team's reporting since joining WBUR in 2019. The investigative unit produces in-depth stories on multiple platforms that are unique, relevant and impactful. Wallack is a correspondent on WBUR's investigative team. He was previously the deputy managing editor in WBUR's newsroom, overseeing a team of reporters who cover politics, criminal justice and general news.

"This type of reporting — of government mismanagement and profound human hardship at a huge scale — exemplifies the critical role public service journalism organizations hold in their communities," said Dan Mauzy, executive editor for news. "WBUR is fortunate to have such a powerhouse investigative team to pursue this type of accountability journalism at the local level, particularly at a time when local journalism is under threat."

The series was also a semifinalist for the Goldsmith Prize for Investigative Reporting.

"'I ain't found it yet.' No line this mother won't cross to save her addicted daughter"
WBUR, NPR

WBUR's Martha Bebinger and Elisabeth Harrison, with NPR's Andrea de Leon, have been recognized by the National Headliner Awards as first place winners in the category of "broadcast radio networks and syndicators news series" for their piece titled "'I ain't found it yet.' No line this mother won't cross to save her addicted daughter."

The story, which aired on NPR's Morning Edition nationally in December 2023, follows one mother as she monitors illegal drug use at home, first to save her daughter from fatally overdosing, and later others in her community who are addicted to opioids.

Bebinger is a veteran health reporter at WBUR who has covered addiction for over a decade. Harrison is managing editor for news content with a focus on business, health and science coverage.

For "'I ain't found it yet,'" Bebinger spoke with Renae, her daughter Brooke and others that Renae monitors for their safety at her home. It's an underground version of what are known as supervised consumption sites — clinics with trained staff where people are allowed to use drugs, a practice endorsed by The American Medical Association. In the piece, Bebinger explains, "some lawmakers, police and prosecutors pushed to ban these sites, saying they increase violence and property crimes, although studies show this has not occurred at the two sites in the U.S. Opponents also argue that people with an addiction should be sent to treatment, not a place that enables drug use. Renae says people will use, safe space or not."

"In the depths of every crisis lies untold bravery, and Martha's unwavering reporting unveiled just that," said Victor Hernandez, chief content officer. "Through tireless dedication, she illuminated the hidden narratives of parents like Renae, whose sacrifices in the face of relentless adversity often remain unseen. Martha's pursuit of this narrative spanned years, a testament to her profound belief in its importance. Now, thanks to this award, her unyielding reporting may be further amplified as it is most certainly recognized."

National Headliner Awards

The National Headliner Awards annual program was founded in 1934 by the Press Club of Atlantic City and recognizes the best journalism in the United States by magazines, newspapers, news syndicates, radio and television stations and networks across categories.

WBUR's Walter Wuthmann, state politics reporter, was also recognized with a third-place win in the "radio stations breaking news or continuing coverage of a single news event" category this year.