The regional award for excellence was given for a compilation of work by KCSN's team, which is made up of only one full-time employee, news director Keith Goldstein, and students majoring in broadcast journalism.

"I think the award recognizes that we are consistent in assembling a relevant, well-written newscast for our audience," Goldstein said. "Our news philosophy is to cover issues like housing, education and transportation as opposed to routine crime and that sort of thing. I think the judges recognized the thoroughness and in-depth quality of the work we do."

In addition to the station's award for overall excellence, it also won a Murrow Award for best newscast for the station's 30-minute news show, "The Evening Update," broadcast on Sept. 21, 2004. Contributors to that show were Goldstein, anchor/writer Kaitlyn Van Diepen, reporter Malik Lee, writer Mike Sizemore, writer Queenie Conner, health reporter Moe Joseph, sports reporter Devin Saint Albin and reporter Ayan Murtaza.

Senior Kaitlyn Van Diepen also received a Murrow Award in feature reporting for her story "Operation Read: The Road to Literacy," which was broadcast last fall. This is the third professional broadcast journalism honor Van Diepen has won for "Operation Read." The story also garnered a Golden Mike from the Radio and Television News Association of Southern California and a first place award from the Associated Press Television-Radio Association.

Van Diepen credited the people she interviewed for "Operation Read" with much of her success. "Everyone I talked to was so passionate about the project and eager to get the word out that they helped create a multifaceted story that just sparkled in the end," she said.

She was flattered to have won top awards in three competitions that included seasoned broadcast journalists. "It's been absolutely fantastic to have been recognized for this story," she said.

Van Diepen, who still works for KCSN, said she is already fielding calls from other radio stations interested in hiring her after she graduates in December.

The recent honors by the Radio and Television News Directors Association bring to 15 the total number of Edward R. Murrow Awards won by KCSN and its staff over the years.

The Radio and Television News Directors Association has been honoring outstanding achievements in electronic journalism with the Edward R. Murrow Awards since 1971. Murrow's pursuit of excellence in journalism embodies the spirit of the awards that carry his name. Murrow Award recipients demonstrate the excellence that Edward R. Murrow made a standard for the electronic news profession.

Earlier this year, the station won three first place, statewide awards from the Associated Press Television-Radio Association and two "Golden Mike" awards from the Radio and Television News Association of Southern California.