KARE may have taken a hit by having Jay Leno as a lead-in, but it didn't hurt the quality of their work, at least accoriding to the National Press Photographers Assocation. The NBC affiliate took home its seventh Station of the Year award in 25 years. The judging was conducted by the esteemed Poynter Institute based on Florida.

Among the judges' comments:

"The KARE tape was the clear winner"

"I laughed and cried and admired the wonderful humanity that shone through on every story on this tape."

Stations were judged on spot news, features, sports and solo video journalist.