Connecticut Broadcasters Honor Radio's Best for 2026

RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, October 8, 2026 | 11:09am CT

Connecticut Broadcasters Association (CBA)

The Connecticut Broadcasters Association (CBA) honored three longtime radio professionals among its five Hall of Fame inductees and recognized the state's top radio outlets, personalities and programs during its 2026 awards ceremony Wednesday, October 7, at the Aqua Turf Club in Plantsville, CT.

The radio inductees include Mike Lapitino of WPLR (99.1) New Haven, Courtney Nadeau of WKSS (KISS 95.7) Hartford and former Nutmeg Broadcasting President Mike Rice.

Lapitino is celebrating his 40th anniversary at WPLR, where he has been a fixture in afternoon drive since joining the station in 1986. His radio career began in 1976. Beyond broadcasting, he has hosted the annual Mike Lapitino Golf Tournament for 29 years, raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for women's health care and breast cancer awareness.

Nadeau has spent more than three decades at WKSS, beginning as part of the station's morning team with Ross Brittain. She currently hosts "Courtney & KISS in the Morning," combining entertainment, pop culture and listener interaction.

Rice, a former broadcast engineer and station owner, served as President of Nutmeg Broadcasting, which owned WILI-AM and WILI-FM in Willimantic for 46 years before selling the stations to Hall Communications in 2005. He also held leadership positions with the CBA, serving as Chairman in 2000-2001 and President through 2013.

The association also inducted television broadcasters Keith Kountz of WTNH and Bob Maxon of NBC Connecticut.

In the annual CBA station awards, iHeartMedia's Country WWYZ (92.5) was named Radio Station of the Year, while Connecticut Public's WNPR received Best Non-Commercial Radio Station honors.

Other radio winners included Adam Rivers of WKSS/WKCI for Best Air Personality, Daniela Doncel of Connecticut Public/WNPR for Best News Reporter and "Anna & Raven" on WEZN-FM for Best Morning Show.

WTIC-AM earned two awards, with "Nighttime Neighbors" recognized as Best Talk Show and the station's "Holiday Stores" initiative winning Best Community Initiative or Station Promotion. WWUH at the University of Hartford received the College Radio Excellence Award.

"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," said CBA President Jennifer Parsons. "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."