WMAL is proud to nominate its 5 pm newscast of November 5, 2015 as Outstanding Newscast in the 2016 Chesapeake Associated Press Awards competition.
The news on this “AP Contest Hit Day” was fairly representative of an average news day in Washington, with breaking news leading off our newscast, followed by local and national stories presented by our own staff as well as correspondents from our news partners at Westwood One.
In this newscast, anchor Maria Leaf brings us the following:
• Breaking news of a serious car crash that injured seven people – including four children – in Takoma Park, MD. Traffic reporter Matt DiFazio offers drivers alternate routes to avoid the crash scene.
• A wrap by reporter Heather Curtis on the hiring of a new general manager for the region’s beleaguered Metrorail system
• A wrap by reporter John Matthews on the hiring of a new manager for the Washington Nationals
• A wrap by morning anchor Bill Thompson on efforts to force a local Virginia gun shop to move from its location next to an elementary school
• A report on U.S. intelligence suggesting the crash of a Russian passenger jet in Egypt was caused by terrorists, featuring response by Maryland Congressman Elijah Cummings.
• A report on the progress being made to train Iraqi troops to respond to ISIS.
• A quick check on Wall Street, with closing numbers for the Dow and NASDAQ.
• WMAL Traffic and Weather, featuring traffic reporter Matt DiFazio.
