“Engulfed,” The Maroon’s environmental podcast focused on the impacts of the petrochemical industry in Southeast Louisiana, was awarded a National Edward R. Murrow Award in podcast excellency for its episode “St. John’s Fight: From Battling Cancer to Covid.” The episode investigates the St. John parish community fight against a petrochemical company polluting predominantly Black neighborhoods in Cancer Alley.

The 4-episode investigative podcast illuminated environmental injustice and its impact on communities of color, specifically the indigenous communities in Louisiana. The project was created by Maroon staff members: Brendan Heffernan, Domonique Tolliver, and Rae Walberg.

The Radio Television Digital News Association has been honoring outstanding achievements in electronic journalism with the Edward R. Murrow Awards since 1971. Of the awards given to journalists, the Murrow Awards are among the most respected journalism awards in the world.