Skip to main content

Independent Voice

iHeartmedia Sacramento's Sam Shane Wins Murrow Award For Best Podcast

Jun 04, 2020 12:00AM ● By By John Nelson, iHeartMedia Sacramento

Sam Shane of News 93.1 KFBK received the Murrow Award for "Best Podcast". Photo: iHeartmedia

SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) – News 93.1 KFBK, Sacramento’s News, Weather and Traffic Station, is excited to announce that top on-air personality Sam Shane’s podcast, “The New Angle: Jim Jones and The People’s Temple,” has received a Large Market Radio Television Digital News Association (RTNDA) Murrow Award for “Best Podcast.” The Murrow Awards recognize local and national news stories that uphold the RTDNA Code of Ethics, demonstrate technical expertise and exemplify the importance and impact of journalism as a service to the community.

Hosted by Shane and produced by Zac Foster, “The New Angle: Jim Jones and The People’s Temple” tells the story of how San Francisco detective David Reuben uncovered the disturbing allegations against Jim Jones, a man who led a cult in a South American jungle and convinced his followers to take their own lives in November 1978. As detailed in the podcast, Reuben tried to warn top city officials with allegations against Jones including theft, sexual misconduct and even murder, and he still wonders to this day if the Jonestown massacre could have been avoided.

“A good podcast doesn’t just inform, it takes you along an emotional ride,” said Curtiss Johnson, Vice President of Programming for iHeartMedia Sacramento. “It makes you feel and think many times, long after you’ve finished listening. Sam Shane certainly did that with his provocative ‘The New Angle: Jim Jones and the People’s Temple.’”

“The story of Jim Jones and The People’s Temple has been told many times, but never how David Reuben told it to me,” said Shane. “He described in riveting detail how top political leaders in San Francisco and California ignored warnings about Jim Jones. This podcast wouldn’t have been possible had it not been for Reuben’s courage and honesty in telling this sad yet remarkable tale. Editor Zac Foster and I are honored and thankful to win this award.”

Shane joined co-host Cristina Mendonsa on ‘The KFBK Morning News” in March of 2019 and delivers the latest local, national, and breaking news and analysis. In addition to reporting on-air, Shane is featured on the station’s website, KFBK.com, social media channels and “The New Angle: Jim Jones and The People’s Temple.”  A University of Minnesota alum, Shane has more than 30 years of experience in broadcast journalism and investigative reporting. His career includes stints at KCRA-TV, CBS 13 Sacramento, KGO-TV San Francisco, FOX-TV Seattle and as a national anchor at MSNBC.

The award-winning podcast can be heard on the station’s website and the full list of Murrow Award winners can be viewed at iHeartMedia.com.

iHeartMedia is the leading media outlet in the Sacramento market with multiple platforms, including its broadcast stations; live events; data; and its digital businesses and platforms, including mobile, social and its own iHeartRadio, iHeartMedia’s free all-in-one digital music, podcasting and live streaming radio service – with more than 2 billion app downloads and more than 135 million registered users.