^[1] BJ Austin has more than 25 years of broadcast journalism experience, anchoring and reporting in Atlanta, New York, New Orleans and Dallas. She covered Atlanta City Hall, the Georgia Legislature and the corruption trials of Louisiana Governor Edwin Edwards. More recently, BJ has reported on events at Dallas City Hall for more than a decade, including the American Airlines Arena vote, the FBI’s corruption investigation and arrests of public officials and the fight to save the historic Dr. Pepper building, as well as many mayoral races. BJ was named the 2003 KRLD Programmer of the Year for her contributions to the news department.

At KERA she has earned a 2009 Texas Associated Press Broadcasters Honorable Mention for best specialty/beat reporting for her city government reporting, and a 2010 Honorable Mention for best general assignment for a story called Zoo Poo,. She has also shared several awards, such as a 2009 Texas Associated Press Broadcasters second place award for best continuing coverage for Family Values: What Voters Want; a 2010 Texas Associated Press Broadcasters First Place Award for KERA’s radio series Living with the Trinity: Thirsty; and, a 2010 Regional Edward R. Murrow Award from the Radio Television Digital News Association, First Place, Best Continuing Coverage – The Economy Project.

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