When TBD laid off a whole cadre of talented reporters and editors after a mere six months in existence, most people appeared to agree that it was a hasty move. A move which seems even more foolish now, since the site was recently awarded the Edward R. Murrow Award for the best Online News Operation in Delaware, Maryland, Virginia or the District of Columbia.

The Murrow Awards, which recognizes “outstanding achievements in electronic journalism” in honor of the legendary newsman’s “pursuit of excellence in journalism,” are awarded annually. Though, based on WJLA’s plans to retool the site, TBD’s reign sounds like it’ll be a one-year affair. [Emphasis ours.]

At TBD.com, we have listened to your feedback and will launch a redesigned site that makes it even easier to navigate our local news and lifestyle coverage. TBD.com combs through information from hundreds of news sources across the area, packaging it alongside a feast of original reporting on the area’s arts and entertainment scene, news, crime, sex and gender, groceries and transportation. By combining the unique reporting of its own journalists, the resources of the entire ABC7/NewsChannel 8 newsroom, the regional expertise of the TBD Community Network and an expertly filtered set of stories from other outlets, the site offers unmatched breadth and immediacy.

“A feast of original reporting,” eh? On the other hand, perhaps I’m being a little too hard on the site. After all, there are a couple talented folks who still ply their trade there, and I do remember Murrow often producing hard-hitting reports on the cost of bananas at the local organic market. A redesigned WJLA.com, meanwhile, will be getting all the breaking news stories and the weather coverage.