by Melissa Larsen
Best Local Radio Talk Show Or DJ, Morning Drive: Johnjay & Rich, 104.7 KISS
Every weekday morning, Johnjay and Rich, alongside Kyle and recent- addition Suzette, delight devoted listeners with their stories that will induce some serious LOLs, as well as their celebrity interviews, programs like War of the Roses and much more. Johnjay and Rich are also the founders of the #LoveUp Foundation, which aims to spread love and kindness throughout the community to support children living within the foster care system. johnjayandrich.iheart.com; loveupfoundation.org.
Best Traffic Personality: Heidi Goitia, CBS 5
This Arizona native was born and raised in Flagstaff and feels it is a privilege to have the career she always wanted in the state that means so much to her. Heidi Goitia says that her professional goals this year are to make the CBS 5 morning show the go-to show for Valley families and get out into the community more to meet the people making good things happen in the Valley. azfamily.com. Also a 2017 winner!
Best Weekend Anchor: Linda Williams, FOX 10
Linda Williams co-anchors the weekend editions of FOX 10 News broadcasts on Saturdays and Sundays from 5 to 6 p.m. and 9 to 10:30 p.m. The Arizona State University grad has been with the news station since 1981, when she started as a tape editor. Outside of the office, she enjoys thrift shopping and tracking the real estate market. fox10phoenix.com.
Favorite Male TV Personality, Afternoon or Evening: Steve Irvin, ABC15
Steve Irvin brings more than 25 years of experience to the anchor desk during the ABC15 News at 6 and 10 p.m. The Emmy Award winner joined ABC15 in 2002, and his reputable work has taken him around the globe—from Los Angeles to Bosnia. In his time away from the anchor desk, Irvin enjoys working out, reading, golfing and speaking to school groups and organizations. abc15.com.
Best Local Radio Talk Show or DJ, Evening: Natasha Castles, LIVE 101.5
From 3 to 7 p.m., Natasha Castles eases listeners into their evening routines at LIVE 101.5. When not tuning into the radio, fans have logged thousands of views of Castles’ celebrity interviews on YouTube. live1015phoenix.radio.com.
News Anchor of The Year: Jaime Cerreta, 3 TV
Arizona native Jaime Cerreta starts the weekends off on the right foot as the anchor of Good Morning Arizona on Saturdays and Sundays. Fans can also catch her reporting for 3 TV and CBS 5 on everything from breaking news to community events and during her weekly local business spotlight, “Jaime’s Local Love,” on Wednesdays. Does the Emmy Award winner’s name sound familiar? Her beloved family has been making chocolate and confections at the Cerreta Candy Company in Arizona for nearly 50 years. azfamily.com. Also a 2017 winner!
FavoriteFemale TV Personality, Afternoon or Evening and Most Fashionable News Anchor: Kari Lake, FOX 10
Fans recognize Emmy Award-winning Kari Lake as the anchor of FOX 10 News at 5 and 9 p.m. and half of the dynamic duo of “Hook and Lake,” the longest-running news team in Arizona. While her favorite stories spotlight regular people doing extraordinary things, some of Lake’s most memorable stories have taken her to the landmine fields of Cambodia and to The White House to interview President Obama. In addition to her journalistic talent, Lake also impresses viewers with her sharp fashion sense, which she describes as classic. Her go-to outfit is a form-fitting dress in a solid color, namely navy. And she always adds great pumps and gold accessories to every outfit, which she finds on sale at department stores or at budget-conscious shops like Target and WalMart. fox10phoenix.com.
Favorite Anchor Team: Good Morning Arizona, 3 TV and Arizona’s Family
Locals tune in bright and early each weekday morning from 4:30 to 10 a.m. to see their favorite anchor team of Scott Pasmore, Olivia Fierro, Javier Soto, Tess Rafols, April Warnecke and Gina Maravilla give you the news, traffic and weather for the day. The team offers info on local hot spots and must-know happenings and heroes daily to help viewers start their day with a smile. azfamily.com.
Favorite Local Website: dealsinaz.com
Alicia Markham of Alicia’s Deals has remained devoted to her long-successful site because she simply is passionate about helping people “live life better for less.” She recently started speaking to women’s groups about the benefit of a money- saving mindset and, this year, Markham even has an exclusive relationship to sell Disneyland, Legoland, Sea World, and Universal Studios tickets—for less, of course. Also a 2017 winner!
Favorite Meteorologist or Weather Personality: Kristy Siefkin, FOX 10
Kristy Siefkin showcases her unique ability to both educate and entertain as FOX 10’s weeknight weather anchor. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Duke University as well as a master’s in Multimedia Communications from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. When the studio lights are off, Siefkin loves to volunteer with youth and animal charities, try recipes from Bon Appétit, and cheer on her Duke Blue Devils. fox10phoenix.com. Also a 2017 Winner!
Favorite Sportscaster: Jason Snavely, ABC 15
ASU grad and California native Jason Snavely has been the sports anchor/reporter with ABC15 since 2015. He is enthusiastic about the great outdoors (his newest series at ABC15, “Adventure Arizona,” explores this passion) and has a professional mission to show viewers a side of well-known sports figures they’ve never seen before. Snavely’s personal life is just as booming as his broadcast career; he recently got engaged to a nurse, Kendra, and they will be getting married later this year in the foothills of Northern California. abc15.com.
Best Local Radio Talk Show or DJ, Afternoon Drive: Mac and Gaydos, 92.3 KTAR
Starting at 2 p.m. and continuing on through the afternoon drive, Mac & Gaydos focus their popular talk radio show on topics that affect the everyday lives of local listeners. ktar.com.
Best Local Radio Talk Show or DJ, Midday: Lady Stephanie, 101.1 The Beat
Lady Stephanie got her start in radio nearly 20 years ago in San Francisco and became a member of 101.1 The Beat in 2011. Fans tune into her show Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. to hear Lady Stephanie’s sarcastic wit and banter— rounded out with today’s hits, of course. azthebeat.com. Also a 2017 winner!
Favorite Female TV Personality, Morning or Daytime: Courtney Griffin, FOX 10
While attending the University of Arizona (where she earned her degree in journalism and communications), Courtney Griffin discovered her love of the newsroom as an intern at several stations. When she’s not working, Griffin enjoys baking, yoga, time with family and friends and volunteering with Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA). fox10phoenix.com.
Favorite Male TV Personality, Morning or Daytime: Javier Soto, 3 TV and Arizona’s Family
This California native made Arizona his homebase for the past 13 years. Javier Soto kicked off his career with 3 TV as the Bureau Chief of Northern Arizona in Flagstaff before being promoted to the main station to be a part of Good Morning Arizona. He has covered many of the major local stories in recent years, including the Jodi Arias murder trial, the Yarnell Hill Wildfire and the Phoenix serial shooter. azfamily.com.
Fast Favorites
Best Country Radio Station: TIE between 107.9 KMLE, kmle1079.radio.com and 102.5 KNIX, knixcountry.iheart.com. Also 2017 winner!
Best News Station: FOX 10, fox10phoenix.com.
Best Radio Station: 101.1 The Beat, azthebeat.com.
Best Rock Radio Station: 98 KUPD, 98kupd.com.
Best Talk News Radio Station: 550 KFYI, kfyi.iheart.com.
Best Today Hits Radio Station: 104.7 KISS, 1047kissfm.iheart.com.
Favorite Local Daytime Show: Sonoran Living Live, ABC 15,abc15.com/sonoranliving.
Best Local News Web Site: azfamily.com. Also 2017 winner!
Best Variety Station: 99.9 KEZ, kez999.iheart.com. Also a 2017 winner!
Favorite Local Morning Show, Favorite Afternoon or Evening Show and Favorite Nightly Newscast: Fox 10 News, fox10phoenix.com. Also a 2017 winner!
