(Johnston, Iowa) The KSOM/KS95 News team took home eight awards during the Iowa Broadcast News Association Annual Awards Banquet held on Saturday night at the Stoney Creek Hotel in Johnston.
Team members Mandy Billings, Chris Varney, and Tom Robinson were honored across categories in Large and Small Market Radio combined, including Spot News Coverage, Farm and Agribusiness, Political Coverage, Feature, Best Newscast, Best Sportscast, and the esteemed “Overall Excellence” category.
Mandy Billings received three individual awards, earning second place in Spot News Coverage, Feature, and Best Newscast.
Chris Varney received two individual awards, first in Best Sportscast and third place in sports coverage.
Tom Robinson secured third-place awards in both Political Coverage and Farm and Agribusiness.
Together, all three team members contributed to the second-place award in the Overall Excellence Category. Additionally, Mandy Billings, who was elected President-elect of the IBNA Board last year, will officially take on the role of President in 2026.
The awards portion of the banquet wrapped with the Coveted “Jack Shelley Award.” This year’s recipient is Jack Coleman, Sports Director for KWWL-TV in Waterloo.
Rick began his journey at KWWL in 1979. At just 16-years-old, while a student at Waterloo West High School. While working at a local grocery store, Rick helped carry groceries to Grant Price’s car, the 1975 Jack Shelley Award winner. That encounter led to Rick landing a part-time position in the KWWL-TV Sports Department, which set the stage for his successful career. Congratulations to Rick Coleman. IBNA Executive Director Dar Danielson has the full story on Rick Coleman’s career posted at ibna.org.
