BLOOMSBURG - News-Item columnist Walter Brasch has recently won several state and national awards for work published in 2012.
The Pennsylvania Press Club honored him with first place awards for his column, special series (for articles about problems with the state's new law on gas exploration) and religion. Also, Brasch was awarded first place in radio commentary by the Pennsylvania Associated Press Broadcasters Association.
The National Federation of Press Women awarded him third place for his column, third for social issues reporting and honorable mention in special series. The National Society of Newspaper Columnists awarded him honorable mention for his column.
Brasch is the author of 17 books. The latest is "Fracking Pennsylvania." Combining scientific evidence and extensive interviews with those affected by fracking throughout the country, the book studies the effects upon public health and the environment, as well as problems from fracking that he says affect agriculture, wildlife and livestock. And, Brasch said, the book explores "collusion between Big Energy and Pennsylvania's politicians."