8News named finalist in 7 AP Broadcasters awards

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — The 8News team has been named a finalist across seven categories with the 2025 Virginias Associated Press Broadcasters Contest.

The Associated Press on Thursday, Feb. 19, announced a list of finalists for its 2025 Broadcasters Contest from 37 news organizations and nearly 600 entries in Virginia and West Virginia.

Among them, 8News earned a finalist spot in several categories, including "Best Continuing News," "Best Daily Stream," "Best Special Stream," "Best Multi-Platform Story," "Best News Promo," "Best TV Sports Anchor" and "Excellence in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion."

A story spanning decades about two men who were found not guilty yet were still sentenced to life, 8News' coverage of "Waverly Two Finally Free" is a finalist for "Best Continuing News."

"Homeowner Horrors" -- a result of 8News Taking Action and getting answers -- strives to prevent homeowners and residents from becoming the next victims when home improvements go wrong. The investigative series is a finalist for "Best Multi-Platform Story."

When the 8News team uncovered that the city of Richmond owed more than $32 million in overdue real estate taxes last year, we took action once again. The "Richmond Tax Delinquency" series is a finalist for "Best News Promo."

Two of 8News' special programming -- "The Rundown" and "Riverfront Rhythms" -- were named finalists for "Best Daily Stream" and "Best Special Stream," respectively. "The Rundown" takes 8News viewers inside the newsroom and shows the story behind the stories, while "Riverfront Rhythms" takes viewers on a tour of Richmond's Allianz Amphitheater.

In honor of Black History Month, 8News last year featured a panel discussing the rich and varied African diaspora within America's melting pot. 8News asked our viewers who identify as Black whether this identity shapes them, and how.

"What is Black?" is a finalist for "Excellence in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion."

Lastly, 8News sports director Nolan Knight is one of the finalists for "Best TV Sports Anchor."

Knight is no stranger to the recognition. After joining 8News in June 2024, within less than a year, he brought home the gold and became AP Broadcasters’ "Best TV Sports Anchor" of 2024.