ATLANTA -- The Georgia Associated Press voted WSB-TV Channel 2 the winner of its 2008 Pacemaker Award for outstanding news operation and Channel Action News at 5:00 p.m. as "Best Newscast" this past Saturday night.

Channel 2 Action News also won seven of the AP’s top television news coverage awards in this year’s judging plus the station received honorable mention in five other categories.

"We’re all proud to receive this recognition by the Associated Press," said Bill Hoffman, vice president and general manager for WSB-TV Channel 2. "It honors an exceptional group of journalists who carry on a long tradition of excellence set by WSB-TV," added Hoffman.

"The Channel 2 Action News team gives its best, every day, every newscast," said Marian Pittman, Channel 2’s news director. "It all comes down to serving the community, keeping our viewers informed and protecting them from harm, particularly in the case of the severe weather like we’ve experienced this year," Pittman added.

The categories released by the Georgia AP include:

* Pacemaker/Outstanding News Operation Award: Winner: WSB-TV/Channel 2

* Best Newscast: Winner: WSB-TV/Channel 2, "Channel 2 Action News at 5:00 p. m.

* Best Investigative Reporting: Winner: WSB-TV/Channel 2, "Seafood Investigation," John Pruitt, Josh Wade, Brad Stone, Jim Strickland, Chris Cantergiani and Tony Light.

* Best Weather Reporting: Winner: WSB-TV/Channel 2, "Metro Atlanta Tornado," David Chandley, Brad Nitz and Ross Cavitt.

* Best Staff Coverage: Winner: WSB-TV/Channel 2, " Georgia's Water Crisis," News Staff.

* Best General: Winner: WSB-TV/Channel 2, " Drop Out Academy," Oscar Carrillo de Albornoz, Fred Blankenship, Dave Darling and Melinda Adams.

* Best Series Reporting: Winner: WSB-TV/Channel 2, " Bible College Police," Dale Cardwell and Josh Wade.

* Best Specialized Reporting: Winner: WSB-TV/Channel 2, "Handbag Knockoffs," Jim Strickland, Chris Cantergiani and Josh Wade.

* Best Use Of Sound: Winner: WSB-TV/Channel 2, "Mussels vs. Man," Oscar Carrillo de Albornoz.

* Best Series Reporting: Honorable Mention: WSB-TV/Channel 2, "Islamic Extremism," Richard Belcher, Brad Store, Chris Cangergiani, Erin Frederickson, Dave Martinez and Mark Winnie.

* General Excellence In Photojournalism: Honorable Mention: WSB-TV/Channel 2, "Mussels vs. Man," Oscar Carrillo de Albornoz.

* Best Anchor/Reporter: Honorable Mention: WSB-TV/Channel 2, Fred Blankenship.

* Best Feature Reporting: Honorable Mention: WSB-TV/Channel 2, "Mussels vs. Men," Jeff Dore and Oscar Carrillo de Albornoz.

* Best Documentary/News Special Programming: Honorable Mention: WSB-TV/Channel 2, " Georgia's Water Crisis: The Next Step," News Staff.