AUSTIN, Texas — The Austin Chronicle has named the winners of its 2023 "Best of Austin" poll – and among them are two KVUE journalists!
Best of Austin's "Politics & Media" category is separated into 26 subcategories, ranging from best radio program to best columnist to best online personality.
This year, KVUE anchors dominated the "TV Anchor/Reporter" category, with Quita Culpepper, Bryan Mays and Ashley Goudeau all nominated. The category only featured two non-KVUE finalists.
Culpepper came away with the win -- and not for the first time. Culpepper first landed on the "Best of Austin" list in 1999 and has made the list many times since.
"She has a good heart, and it shows in the way she presents the news," Suzanne LaPinta said of Culpepper.
Culpepper has been a reporter and anchor with KVUE for more than 20 years.
In addition to Culpepper, Senior Reporter Tony Plohetski – who also reports for KVUE's news partners at the Austin American-Statesman – was named the winner for best "News Reporter."
"Easy. His hard work on Uvalde is his most defining work, and I'm excited to work with him," KVUE Meteorologist Jordan Darensbourg said of Plohetski.
Plohetski has been with KVUE since 2013 and has worked for the Statesman since 2000. He has received more than two dozen national and state journalism honors, including being named a Pulitzer Prize Gold Medal finalist for his coverage of the Robb Elementary School shooting in Uvalde.
In addition to this year's winners and our Anchor/Reporter finalists, KVUE Sports Director Jeff Jones was a finalist in the "Sportscaster" category and Chief Meteorologist Hunter Williams and Daybreak Meteorologist Shane Hinton were both finalists for best "Weatherperson." KVUE was also nominated as a station in the "TV News" category, alongside the other news stations that serve our community.
KVUE is among the Austin Chronicle's top 10 for all-time "Best of Austin" winners.
The Austin Chronicle's "Best of Austin: Restaurants" nominations will kick off in August.