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.
-
From the Ten Commandments to Charlie Kirk talking points, lawmakers appeal to religious conservatives. -
Three East High School students -- Paytn Gibson, Carter Holmes, and Ty Miller -- are being nationally recognized for their documentary about immigration reform. -
This week on WKNO/Channel 10’s "Behind the Headlines," President and CEO of the Downtown Memphis Commission Chandell Ryan joins host Eric Barnes and Daily Memphian reporter Bill Dries. -
Memphis-Shelby County Schools Superintendent Roderick Richmond has announced plans to update certain internal controls and processes in the next three months.
-
Elon Musk's xAI received a key approval by the Mississippi Environmental Quality Permit board Tuesday to expand construction on a power plant in Southaven.
-
Regional One Health officials say they’ve received state approval to start construction on a new hospital in Downtown Memphis.
-
Saturday’s stormy weather didn’t deter local activists from demanding AT&T cut ties with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
-
Recent crime statistics show major Memphis crime has been nearly halved since a year ago. Is it sustainable? -
This week on WKNO/Channel 10’s "Behind the Headlines," Eric Barnes hosts a journalist roundtable with Memphis Flyer reporter Toby Sells, and Daily Memphian reporters Bill Dries and Laura Testino. -
Opera Memphis and the Orpheum were among Memphis arts organizations forced to cancel performances in January. They're counting on audiences to get back in the "spring" of things.
