NCNN’s Bruce Ferrell	NCNN’s Clayton Henkel
NCNN’s David Horn	NCNN’s Matt Willoughby

The Society of Professional Journalists has announced that the North Carolina News Network is one of the winners of the 2006 Green Eyeshade Awards.

NCNN was recognized for its series “Racing to the Future.” The multi-part program examined the impact of North Carolina’s racing industry which contributes more than 24,000 jobs and $5 billion to the state’s economy. The series also explored efforts by the state to protect the industry from other states that are aggressively recruiting the sport.

NCNN’s Clayton Henkel, David Horn, Bruce Ferrell, and Matt Willoughby were all a part of the series that aired on the NCNN and WRAL-FM in October 2006.

The Green Eyeshade Awards have honored the best in professional journalism in 11 southeastern states for 57 years. The states included in the contest are Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and West Virginia.

This year’s awards were presented at the Green Eyeshade Awards Banquet in Nashville, TN on May 5.

The Society of Professional Journalists works to improve and protect journalism. The organization is the nation’s most broad-based journalism organization, dedicated to encouraging the free practice of journalism and stimulating high standards of ethical behavior.

Founded in 1909 as Sigma Delta Chi, SPJ promotes the free flow of information vital to a well-informed citizenry; works to inspire and educate the next generations of journalists; and protects First Amendment guarantees of freedom of speech and press.

Thanks to NCNN’s Clayton Henkel for this capcom story.