June 1, 2026 — Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB) received nine Northwest Regional Emmy® Awards for excellence in television and media arts, following a record 32 nominations earlier this year.
OPB executive producers, producers, videographers, editors, reporters and photographers were recognized during the 63rd Annual Northwest Regional Emmy® Awards Gala on May 30 in Seattle, hosted by the Northwest Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS).
Winners are selected by a peer judging panel composed of volunteer media professionals from NATAS chapters from around the country, who evaluate entries based on creativity, content and creation.
“To be recognized by our peers in the television and media industry is one of the greatest honors,” said Jason Potts, OPB chief content officer. “I am incredibly proud of the talented content creators on our team who have received 2026 Northwest Regional Emmy® Awards for their extraordinary work.”
“These Northwest Regional Emmy® Award wins demonstrate the power of public media. We are grateful to OPB members, whose unwavering support allows us to create award-winning programming that is freely accessible to all,” said Rachel Smolkin, OPB president and CEO.
OPB’s 2026 Northwest Emmy Awards include:
2026 Community Outreach Award, Large Market
“Uncovering Boarding Schools” (Kami Horton, producer; Bruce Barrow, editor; Arya Surowidjojo, executive producer; Robyn El Kay, director of strategic engagement and events; Jennifer McCormick, director of audience development and marketing; Jenn Chavez, podcast producer; Christopher Hedge, composer; Jessie Sears, cinematographer; LaRonn Katchia, cinematographer; in partnership with the Oregon Historical Society)
Documentary, Topical
“First Descent: Kayaking the Klamath” (Jessie Sears, producer; Brandon Swanson, photographer/editor; Steven Vaughn Kray, audio; Evan Rodriguez, photographer; Aaron Scott, executive producer)
Director
LaRonn Katchia, “Guardian of the Land,” an “Oregon Experience” production
Photographer, Short or Long Form Content
Cameron Nielsen, “Guardian of the Land,” an “Oregon Experience” production
Public Affairs Program
“Sage Grouse vs. Lithium Mine” (Cassandra Profita, producer; Cameron Nielsen, photographer/editor)
Environmental Science, Long Form Content
“Klamath: After the Dams” (Cassandra Profita, producer; Danika Sandoz, editor; Brandon Swanson, photographer; Lisa Suinn Kallem, editor; Stephani Gordon, photographer)
Business/Consumer, Short or Long Form Content
“Your Freeze-Dried Meals Likely Came from Oregon” (Meagan Cuthill, producer; Christie Goshe, editor)
Historical/Cultural, Long Form Content
“Guardian of the Land,” an “Oregon Experience” production (LaRonn Katchia, producer; Cameron Nielsen, editor; Daniel Smith, audio)
Informational/Instructional, Short Form Content
“Now You See It, Now You Don’t. Wood Carver - Uli Kirchler’s Telescoping Castles” (Geneva Chin, producer)