The Raccoon Valley Radio network received recognition from the Iowa Broadcast News Association during their annual convention this past weekend in Cedar Rapids.

Station staff received awards for best newscast, overall excellence in anchoring, overall excellence in reporting and overall excellence in weather coverage.

The network’s political coverage, feature stories and public affairs programs were also recognized for excellence.

In addition, News Director Samantha Smith was elected and sworn in as the organization’s President for 2014-2015.

The IBNA is a nonprofit corporation of radio and television news directors, reporters, producers and public relations professionals from Iowa and its adjacent states, working together to improve electronic media news for local stations and the public.

This year’s convention featured several educational sessions along with a Republican U.S. Senate candidate debate moderated by Judy Woodruff, co-anchor and managing editor of the PBS Newshour.  Woodruff, whose career also includes positions at CNN and NBC news, also served as the event’s keynote speaker.