Catching the audience's attention is key when it comes to journalism, but holding their attention throughout the story is even tougher - especially when there is no visual involved.

Two reporters at KUNR did just that and won three awards from the Associated Press Television-Radio Association for excellent storytelling in their audio narratives.

News Director Michelle Bliss won for best use of sound in a feature story on how horse therapy can help adults with depression and anxiety. She also won the award for sports writing for her profile of a snowboarder on his road to recovery from a traumatic brain injury.

"I think these two won awards because they are uplifting, positive and have a healing quality to them," Bliss said.

Will Stone, a former KUNR reporter who is now working at KJZZ-FM in Phoenix, won the other award for best use of sound in a hard news story for his reporting on Lake Tahoe's declining clarity.

"Public radio allows the reporter to tell these hard news stories in a way that's lively," Stone said. "They can take the listener to the place of the story."

Bliss felt that with her and Stone's special attention to sound, their stories stood out to win the awards.

"Telling stories through sound, having audio scenes to open up our stories and to move us through the narrative - that's what radio should be, but reporters don't always give the time or effort to that."

Although KUNR won in AP's small market station division, the competition included entries from 13 Western states. The station serves roughly 50,000 listeners across 100,000 square miles of northern Nevada and northeastern California.

With the awards bringing additional visibility and credibility to Reno Public Radio, the station hopes to expand and grow.

"We are starting to grow our news staff and we want to grow our local news coverage," Bliss said. "These awards are a part of that transition."

To listen live or learn more about KUNR, located on the University campus, visit kunr.org.