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ABC 13 – WSET Honored with Five Virginias Associated Press Broadcasters Awards

Member News

LYNCHBURG, Va. (WSET) - ABC 13-WSET took home several awards from the 2024 Virginias Associated Press Broadcasters Awards at the Awards Luncheon and Annual Membership Meeting at The Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs, W.Va., on Saturday, April 5th.
ABC 13 was honored with: 

  • First place Mark Spain for Best TV News Anchor
  • First place Alexia Stanbridge and Second place Kelsey Childress for Best Reporter
  • Second place George Flickinger for Best Weathercaster
  • Second place for Best Spot News for "Virginia Tornadoes."
Spain was also honored with The Associated Press Robert Gallimore Distinguished Service Award. The award honors a Virginia broadcaster for outstanding service in the public interest, who exemplifies a commitment to journalism and reflects honorably on the news profession. Mark spent a decade with ABC 13, working as a lead anchor for our evening and late shows, and more than 40 years in the journalism business before passing away due to pancreatic cancer at the age of 64 last December. In 2024, his work won first place for Best Anchor.

“Mark stood out with his variety of stories, engaging reporting and empathy that came across the screen," said VAPB judges.

“Our team is tremendous, consistently working to fight for our viewers,” said George Kayes, Vice President and General Manager of ABC 13-WSET. “I’m very proud to be a part of this great station and all the wonderful work they do every single day.”

Alexia Stanbridge joined ABC 13 in June 2023 as a multimedia journalist. Her stories throughout 2024 won her first place for Best Reporter.

“This entrant showed strong, original reporting on several topics," said VAPB judges. "They're not afraid to ask tough questions and demand answers."

Kelsey Childress joined ABC 13 in June 2021 as a reporter and started working as the weekend news anchor in August 2022. Kelsey took home second place for Best Reporter.

“A solid reporter who gets results," said VAPB judges. "These were original stories that required research and effort to get to a result and/or the truth."

George Flickinger joined ABC 13 in 2015 as Chief Meteorologist. Over the years, George has won 6 AP awards for his weathercasts, now adding another award from 2024 for second place Best Weathercaster.

To read more about the awards, visit WSET.com.

ABC 13 – WSET Honored with Five Virgi...