The Connecticut Broadcasters Association has announced its 2026 Hall of Fame class and annual award winners.

The 2026 Hall of Fame inductees are:

Keith Kountz: Keith Kountz has been one of Connecticut television’s most familiar and respected news personalities for more than three decades. A longtime anchor at WTNH News 8, his career has been defined by journalistic professionalism, credibility and a strong connection with Connecticut viewers. Kountz joined WTNH in 1987 as a general assignment reporter before moving into anchoring. After a brief period anchoring in Jacksonville, Florida, he returned to WTNH in 2000 and has remained a fixture at News 8 ever since. In 1999, Kountz made Connecticut broadcasting history when he became the first Black person to serve as the primary anchor of an evening newscast at a Connecticut television station—an important milestone for diversity and representation in Connecticut television. A recipient of numerous professional and community honors, Kountz received the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Silver Circle Award in 2010, recognizing his more than 25 years of contribution to television.

Mike Lapitino: Mike Lapitino has been one of Connecticut radio’s most recognizable and enduring voices for more than four decades. Celebrating 40 years at 99.1 WPLR in 2026, Mike’s connection to listeners and his impact on Connecticut broadcasting have made him synonymous with the station—truly the voice of PLR. Born in New York City, Mike moved to Connecticut in 1964 and has proudly called the state home ever since. He began his radio career during Memorial Day weekend in 1976 and joined WPLR in 1986, where he quickly became a fixture of Connecticut afternoons. For more than 45 years, his authenticity, humor, and unmistakable personality have earned the loyalty of generations of listeners and made him one of the state’s most respected on-air personalities. Mike’s commitment extends well beyond the microphone. For the past 29 years , he has hosted the Mike Lapitino Golf Tournament, raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for women’s health care including breast cancer awareness throughout Connecticut. Proud to call Connecticut home, Mike remains grateful for the opportunity to entertain and serve the communities he loves.

Bob Maxon: Bob Maxon has been a trusted and familiar voice of weather in Connecticut for more than three decades. He joined NBC Connecticut in 1995 and has become a fixture of the station’s morning news, helping generations of viewers prepare for everything from everyday weather to major New England storms. A Cornell University graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Meteorology, Maxon began his broadcasting career in Ithaca and Binghamton, New York, before spending six years at WMUR-TV in Manchester, New Hampshire. He brought that experience to Connecticut, where he has spent more than 30 years forecasting the state’s ever-changing weather. Throughout his career, Maxon has covered some of the region’s most memorable weather events, including Hurricane Bob, the Blizzard of 1996, the President’s Day Blizzard of 2003, Tropical Storm Irene, Superstorm Sandy and the Blizzard of 2013. He has earned the American Meteorological Society’s Seal of Approval for weather forecasting and broadcasting. Beyond the forecast, Maxon has demonstrated a strong commitment to Connecticut communities through his support of organizations including the American Cancer Society, Connecticut Brain Tumor Alliance, CJR, FAVARH, Special Olympics, Healing Meals, Gifts of Love, and the American Heart Association. With his exceptional longevity, professionalism, warmth and dedication to his viewers and community, Bob Maxon has become one of the most recognizable and trusted meteorologists in Connecticut broadcasting.

Courtney Nadeau: Courtney Nadeau is one of Connecticut radio’s most recognizable and enduring personalities, having spent decades entertaining and connecting with listeners across the state. Her career at KISS 95.7 (WKSS-FM) stretches back more 30 years, including her early years as part of the station’s morning team with Ross Brittain. Today, Nadeau is the longtime host of Courtney & KISS in the Morning, heard weekday mornings on KISS 95.7 in Hartford. The show has become a signature part of the station’s programming, combining pop culture, entertainment, humor, listener interaction and features that have made Courtney a familiar part of Connecticut mornings. Beyond her on-air work, Nadeau has demonstrated the versatility and staying power that define a successful radio career. Her ability to remain relevant through dramatic changes in the media landscape, while maintaining a genuine connection with her audience, has made her a distinctive voice in Connecticut broadcasting. For the last 30 years, Courtney Nadeau has brought personality, energy and authenticity to Connecticut radio. Her longevity and enduring relationship with listeners have made her an important part of the state’s broadcasting history.

Mike Rice: Mike Rice is a longtime Connecticut broadcasting leader whose career spans decades of service to radio, the broadcasting industry, and his community. As President of Nutmeg Broadcasting Company, Rice carried on his family’s legacy of ownership of WILI-AM and WILI-FM in Willimantic. The Rice family owned the stations for 46 years before selling them to Hall Communications in 2005.A broadcast engineer and experienced radio station owner, Rice was also active in national industry efforts addressing FCC technical and regulatory issues. His commitment to broadcasting extended well beyond his own stations. Rice served the Connecticut Broadcasters Association in leadership for many years, including as CBA Chair in 2000–2001 and as President through 2013. He provided steady leadership during a period of tremendous change in radio and television, representing Connecticut broadcasters on legislative, regulatory, technical and public-service issues. Rice remained an important voice for Connecticut broadcasters during major challenges, including Hurricane Sandy in 2012, helping provide statewide updates on stations’ efforts to remain on the air and serve their communities. Mike Rice’s legacy is defined by his dedication to local radio, his family’s broadcasting business, and the Connecticut broadcasting industry. His leadership helped strengthen and preserve independent broadcasting in Connecticut through decades of technological, regulatory and ownership changes.

CBA President Jennifer Parsons said, “The CBAs and Hall of Fame Induction evening give us a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the incredible talent and dedication of Connecticut’s radio and television professionals. It’s exciting to see our stations come together, enjoy a little friendly competition, and celebrate each other’s accomplishments. We don’t often have the chance to bring so many people from across our industry together in one room, and that makes this evening especially meaningful. It’s a night to recognize the work we do, the people who make Connecticut broadcasting so special, and the strong sense of community that connects us all.

The award winners were:

Broadcast Engineering Excellence
Victor Zarilli, WFSB-TV

Best Anchor (TV)
Kathryn Hauser, WTNH-TV

Best Use of Digital Media
NBC CT Digital

Best Air Personality (Radio)
Adam Rivers, WKSS/WKCI

Best Non-Commercial Station (Radio)
WNPR-CT Public

Best Photojournalist (TV)
Eric Budney, WFSB

Best Meteorologist
Mike Slifer, WFSB-TV

Best Investigative Story (TV)
Charmed by a Contractor: An NBC Connecticut Responds Investigation, NBC CT Investigative Team

Best News Reporter (Radio)
Daniela Doncel, CT Public/WNPR

Best Breaking News Coverage (TV)
Winter Storm/Blizzard Benjamin, WFSB

Best Reporter (TV)
Cassidy Williams, WFSB

Best Local Sports
WFSB Sports, WFSB-TV

Best Local Show (TV)
Capitol Report, WTNH-TV

Best Morning Show (Radio)
Anna & Raven, WEZN-FM

Best Talk Show (Radio)
Nighttime Neighbors, WTIC AM

College Radio Excellence Award
WWUH, University of Hartford

Best Community Initiative or Station Promotion
Holiday Stores, WTIC AM

Station of the Year (Radio)
92.5 WWYZ

CT’s Rising Star
Katie Coen, WFSB-TV

Station of the Year (TV)
WTNH-TV