In August, the Cincinnati, Cleveland and Columbus Pro chapters of the Society for Professional Journalists announced that WHIO-TV received nine awards for its news coverage during 2011.

The winners were announced in the five categories of the annual “Best of the Ohio Journalism Awards” competition. The categories include broadcast, college, online, print and trade.

WHIO-TV took home nine awards:
1. Best News Operation - "WHIO-TV"/ WHIO-TV staff

2. Best Anchor - James Brown

3. Best Web Site - "whiotv.com" / Steve Mehaffie & WHIO-TV staff

4. Best Spot News 1st place - "The Killing of Deputy Hopper" / Eric Higgenbotham & James Brown

5. Best Continuing Coverage 1st place - "The Killing of Deputy Hopper/ Eric Higgenbotham & WHIO-TV Staff

6. Best Investigative Reporting 1st place - "Who's Violating The Smoking Ban?" / James Brown & Byron Stirsman

7. Best Education Reporting 1st place - "Knowing Your Facebook Friends"/ Caryn Golden & Byron Stirsman

8. Best Feature Reporting 1st place - "Taps" / James Brown & Trey Back

9. Best Criminal Justice Reporting 2nd place - "Four Women Dead In Springfield/ Cheryl McHenry & Byron Stirsman