KJRH-TV Channel 2 Honored with Governor Disability Employment Award of Excellence in Media Coverage

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OKLAHOMA CITY -- Sixteen individuals from across the state, five employers and two prominent media outlets were honored during the annual “Governor’s Disability Employment Awards of Excellence” recently held at the Phillips Pavilion on the grounds of the Governor’s Mansion in Oklahoma City.

Originally created by former Governor and First Lady George and Donna Nigh 29 years ago, the awards recognize individuals with disabilities, the employers who hire them and outstanding media coverage about people with disabilities with a Governor’s commendation. One of this year’s winners included Tulsa’s KJRH-TV Channel 2. An “Award of Excellence in Media Coverage” was presented to KJRH-TV Channel 2’s Executive Producer Julie Weindel, who accepted the honor on behalf of the news station from Secretary of State Chris Benge and Department of Human Services Director Ed Lake.

KOCO-TV Channel 5 Anchor Paul Folger emceed the event and said under the direction and leadership of KJRH-TV’s News Director Susan D’Astoli, the news station had an outstanding year in covering issues of importance to individuals with disabilities — both inside and outside of the local workforce.

“Whether the station covered its communities’ Special Olympics athletes, the Bridges Foundation’s Barkery (a dog food bakery) or 2News Anchor Karen Larsen’s coverage of how a community raised money to help Brett Gray restore his eyesight, KJRH-TV did a great job in bringing important information to a broad audience in Oklahoma,” Folger said. “Our compliments and thanks to KJRH-TV Channel 2 for its excellent news coverage and for promoting awareness about people with disabilities, the agencies and programs that support them and employment opportunities in Oklahoma.”

The Governor’s Disability Employment Awards of Excellence competition and program is co-sponsored by the Governor’s Office, the Oklahoma DHS Developmental Disabilities Services, the Oklahoma DRS and the Oklahoma Association of People Supporting EmploymentFirst. Award winners are annually selected by a panel of public servants and volunteers who either serve people with disabilities or represent organizations that provide direct care for them daily.

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Julie Weindel receives an Oklahoma Governor’s Disability Employment Award of Excellence.