RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- 8News received three first-place and two second-place Virginias Associated Press (AP) Broadcasters awards on Saturday. These awards recognized our coverage of a Richmond pro-Palestinian protest and our revival of 8Sports programming. On Saturday, April 5, 8News attended the 2025 Virginias AP Broadcasters Awards Luncheon, which is held annually to honor quality news operations throughout both Virginia and West Virginia. 8News celebrates its five Virginia AP Broadcasters awards for 2024. From left to right: 8News photojournalist Brad Vassar, anchor/reporter Rolynn Wilson, news director Bernie Ritter, sports director Nolan Knight and anchor/reporter Madison Moore. (Photo: 8News) During this luncheon, across the five categories 8News was named a finalist in, our staff received three first-place awards and two second-place awards for our coverage in 2024. Three of the five awards were given to 8News for its sports-related news, with the other two stemming from 8News' coverage of the April 2024 pro-Palestinian protests at Virginia Commonwealth University's (VCU) campus. 8News' sports director Nolan Knight celebrates his two Virginia AP Broadcasters awards for his 2024 coverage. (Photo: 8News) In June 2024, 8News revived 8Sports with its new Sports Director, Nolan Knight. Less than a year after joining 8News, Knight has been recognized as Virginias AP Broadcasters' "Best TV Sports Anchor" of the year. He was also presented with a first-place award in the "Outstanding Sports Operation of the Virginias" category. LAST YEAR: WRIC ABC 8News wins 8 Virginia’s Associated Press Broadcasters awards, including 3 first-place honors Additionally, 8News anchor Madison Moore and photojournalist Brad Vassar received second-place in the "Best Sports Feature" category for their profile on Olympic hurdler Queen Harrison Claye. 8News anchor/reporter Madison Moore [left] and anchor/reporter Rolynn Wilson [right] celebrates their Virginia AP Broadcasters awards for 2024. (Photo: 8News) 8News celebrates its Virginia AP Broadcasters awards for 2024. From left to right: 8News anchor/reporter Rolynn Wilson, news director Bernie Ritter and anchor/reporter Madison Moore. (Photo: 8News) While many of our reporters were involved in covering the pro-Palestinian protest at VCU, photojournalist Vassar and reporter Rolynn Wilson were there the moment protesters clashed with police on April 29, 2024. 8News won second-place in the "Best Spot Photography" category for on-the-spot coverage like that. Finally, for 8News' coverage of the aftermath of that protest, our staff received the honor of "Best Newscast." ...read more read less