Monarch Butterfly Report Earns Patricia Martellotti Regional Emmy Award

LA JOLLA, Calif. (KEYT) News Channel reporter Patricia Martellotti's coverage of a monarch butterfly research project that tracks them with tiny transmitters received a regional Emmy Award.

"I hope this new technology will help improve the chances of survival for endangered monarch butterflies," said Martellotti.

Martellotti appeared speechless as she accepted the award, but she soon recovered and had the audience in stitches when she thanked her father for picking up the $500 tab for the hotel room at the Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines.

This is her first Emmy Award, and she congratulated her fellow nominees in the Environment & Science News category.

Martellotti's report entitled "Echoes of Flight" can be watched on: https://keyt.com/lifestyle/2025/12/17/butterflies-go-high-tech-in-a-race-to-save-their-species/

"This is a dream come true. I thank my family and friends for their support. Beyond the award, my focus is always on getting better at what I'm doing," said Martellotti.

News Channel's Tracy Lehr co-chaired the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Pacific Southwest 52nd Annual Emmy Awards Show.

Some of KEYT's News Press Gazette (NPG) affiliates also earned regional Emmys. 

Congratulations!

For more information visit https://natas.psw.org