CBS 21 News Won Mid-Atlantic Regional Emmy
The local news team received an award for its coverage of a funeral for three fallen police officers.
Updated on Sept. 27, 2026 in Awards
CBS 21 News received a 2026 Mid-Atlantic Regional Emmy Award for their newscast covering the funeral of three Northern York County Regional Police officers. Anchor Joel D. Smith was also honored with an individual award for best news anchor.
Why it matters
Regional Emmy Awards recognize excellence in local television broadcasting, highlighting the importance of coverage regarding significant community events and tragedies.
The winning newscast focused on the funeral of 3 Northern York County Regional Police officers. The station additionally secured nominations in 4 other award categories.
The players
CBS 21 News
This is a local television news station based in the Harrisburg area that provides regional coverage.
Joel D. Smith
He is a news anchor for CBS 21 News who was honored with an Emmy Award for best news anchor.
Northern York County Regional Police
This is a law enforcement agency that serves various communities within Northern York County.
The details
The award-winning team included anchors Candace Scalese and Joel D. Smith, along with photojournalists Michael Collins, Ashley Crowther, and Jonathan Gutenkunst. Reporters Sarah Burns, Grace Rufalo, Maxine Rose, and Alex Thill, as well as directors Megan Carpenter and Daniel Kilderry and producer Austin Winkler, were also recognized for their work.
Timeline
The 2026 Mid-Atlantic Regional Emmy Awards were held on the night of September 26, 2026.
Culture Shift
The ceremony serves as an annual benchmark for local television excellence within the Mid-Atlantic region. This event mirrors a broader trend of celebrating local newsrooms that dedicate significant resources to covering high-impact community events and local tragedies.
This recognition highlights the high level of journalistic standards maintained by the local news station serving Harrisburg residents. Viewers may see an increase in the station's emphasis on in-depth reporting for sensitive community events.
The takeaway
Recognized journalism like this serves as a record of community history during times of crisis. Supporting local news outlets ensures that regional events continue to receive professional and respectful coverage.
Further reading
For more on industry accolades and local media achievements, visit the Awards section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WHP.
