15 Journalism Alumni Nominated for 2026 Rocky Mountain Emmy Awards
University of Arizona School of Journalism alumni were nominated for 2026 Rocky Mountain Southwest Regional Emmy Awards across 17 categories.
rockymountainemmy.org
Fifteen University of Arizona School of Journalism alumni have been nominated for 2026 Rocky Mountain Southwest Regional Emmy Awards.
The Rocky Mountain Southwest Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, which serves Arizona, New Mexico, Utah and southeastern California, announced this year's nominees on Sept. 15.
School of Journalism alumni were nominated across 17 categories for their work as reporters, producers, editors and anchors. Their nominated works ranged from documentaries on environmental issues in the U.S.-Mexico borderlands to feature stories on World War II veterans and adaptive sports teams.
2026 alumni nominees:
Daytime/Evening Newscast (Large Markets)
Mar Ruiz Barraza ('23 M.A.), Reporter, Univision Arizona
Daytime/Evening Newscast (Medium/Small Markets)
Mary Coleman ('13), Anchor, KOLD-TV
James Parisi ('20), Producer, KOLD-TV
Breaking/Spot News (Single Report)
Nicole Crites ('00), Anchor, Arizona’s Family
Live News Producer
Kylie Warren ('17), Producer, Fox10 Phoenix
Investigative (Single Report)
Nicole Crites ('00), Anchor, Arizona’s Family
Environment/Science (News)
Morgan Loew ('96), Reporter, Arizona’s Family
Historical/Cultural (News)
Carsyn Currier ('19), Reporter, KOLD-TV
Sports Story (Short Form Content)
Laura Holánszky ('25 M.A.), Producer, Arizona Public Media
Arts/Entertainment (Short Form Content)
Laura Holánszky ('25 M.A.), Producer, Arizona Public Media
Historical/Cultural (Short Form Content)
Czarina Nafarrate ('14), Producer, Visit Tucson
Alan Scott Davis ('15), Producer, Davis de Dios Media
John de Dios ('05), Producer, Davis de Dios Media
Diversity/Equity/Inclusion Content
Laura Holánszky ('25 M.A.), Producer, Arizona Public Media
Environment/Science (Long Form Content)
Katya Mendoza ('22 M.A.), Producer, Arizona Public Media
Danyelle Khmara ('17), Producer, Arizona Public Media
Human Interest (Short Form Content)
Danyelle Khmara ('17), Producer, Arizona Public Media
Societal Concerns Content
Hannah Cree ('23), Producer, Arizona Public Media
Content Shorts
Marissa Orr ('25), Editor, KVOA
Topical News Promotion (Single Spot)
Mary Coleman ('13), Talent, KOLD-TV
Writer News/Short Form Content
Mary Coleman ('13), Writer, KOLD-TV
Cathie Batbie, a member of the School’s Journalism Advisory Council was also nominated in two categories: Diversity/Equity/Inclusion (News), as a producer for KVOA, and Daytime/Evening Newscast (Medium/Small Markets), as KVOA's assignment desk editor.
Batbie is the news director and senior director of content and creative services at KVOA in Tucson. She has served on the Journalism Advisory Council since 2024.
The Rocky Mountain Southwest Chapter of NATAS will also honor School of Journalism alumna April Warnecke ('00), Good Morning Arizona meteorologist, this fall as a 2026 Silver Circle inductee.
The winners will be announced at the 2026 Rocky Mountain Emmy Awards ceremony in Phoenix on Nov. 7.