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.
-
Taxpayers picking up the private school tab for rich kids may give even some Republicans pause, says Sanford. -
A kerfuffle at Rhodes College over an unsanctioned seminar on certain sexual practices raises questions of both propriety and outside criticism of campus activities.
-
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.
-
One of the five former MPD officers facing trial in the Tyre Nichols beating has pleaded guilty. More pleas could follow, says Otis Sanford.
-
Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton is floating the idea of impeaching Shelby County's District Attorney General for the high crime rate. Is it justified?
-
Six billboards with messages supporting abortion rights have been placed along Interstate 55, a highway traveled by many women from the South who seek abortion care in Illinois.
-
In his first time running for office, Paul Young pulled ahead of three other long-time Memphis politicians to win the Mayor's race.
-
In this audio postcard, Memphis music producer Matt Ross-Spang hosts the grand opening of Southern Grooves, a recording studio in Crosstown Concourse.
-
Political analyst Otis Sanford says strong early voting in East Memphis could indicate support for candidates Floyd Bonner or Paul Young.
-
Daily Memphian Reporter Bill Dries' series on the 50th Anniversary of court-ordered busing explores how noble intentions met with social realities.
