Christopher Blank
News DirectorTrading his hometown newsroom of the St. Petersburg Times (alligators, beach bars and Florida Men) for the Memphis Commercial Appeal (Elvis, civil rights and barbecue) more than two decades ago, Christopher continues his quest for culturally rich human interest stories as News Director at WKNO.
He is a regular contributor to NPR and moderates conversations about Memphis' arts and culture community through the station's Culture Desk Facebook page. His numerous awards for both print and radio reporting include 2017 and 2020 Green Eyeshade Awards for Public Service Journalism.
He also serves as Senior Producer for the University of Memphis' Institute for Public Service Reporting. WKNO's collaboration with professional and student journalists has resulted in a number of award-winning radio features, including a special report “The Waiting Decade: Rape Victims Still Seek Justice”, which won First Place prizes in Investigative Reporting and Short Documentary from the Public Media Journalists Association in 2020.
Recent extracurricular projects include helping to produce the first full-length recording of the Orpheum Theatre's historic Wurlitzer organ.
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As the Memphis City Council reconsiders a police chief's job or council members' lifetime health benefits, state government puts limits on speech and debate.
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Another year of record homicides creates more urgency for a tough, coordinated response to Memphis' biggest problem.
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From the Tyre Nichols beating to the Gun Shy Tennessee General Assembly, law enforcement and guns dominated the year's news.
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A stadium, a good job, a new bridge are just a few of our favorite things this week in Tennessee Politics.
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A WKNO Radio Documentary on how a group of Memphis music lovers went on a three-year mission to get the Orpheum's Mighty Wurlitzer organ on vinyl for the first time in 95 years.
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The Shelby County suburbs take pride in their public schools. Could vouchers for private school hurt enrollment if they were available to affluent families?
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Scant few criminal cases in Shelby County Courts ever go to trial. Evidence of a "revolving door?"
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Taxpayers picking up the private school tab for rich kids may give even some Republicans pause, says Sanford.
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A kerfuffle at Rhodes College over an unsanctioned seminar on certain sexual practices raises questions of both propriety and outside criticism of campus activities.
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Tennessee's top Republicans say a billion dollars for kids with disabilities and school lunches in poor areas come with strings attached. Missing from the debate: the strings.