Christopher Blank
News DirectorMemphis' cultural and historical influences — from Elvis to civil rights to soul music — have been Christopher Blank's favorite subjects since moving here from Florida in the early aughts to be the Commercial Appeal's arts and culture reporter.
As WKNO's News Director for more than a decade, he's been a frequent contributor of news and features to NPR. His numerous awards for both print and radio reporting include 2020 and 2021 Green Eyeshade Awards for Public Service Journalism.
He also serves as Senior Producer for the University of Memphis' Institute for Public Service Reporting. This collaboration with professional and student journalists has resulted in multiple award-winning radio features, most recently for various stories related to immigration and civil rights by the Public Media Journalists Association.
Recent extracurricular projects include co-producing the first full-length recording of the Orpheum Theatre's historic Wurlitzer organ, serving as a production assistant with Company d, which promotes Down syndrome awareness, and writing a popular blog of local theater and arts criticism called The Memphis Review.
Tune in Fridays for his regular Tennessee Politics conversations with political analyst Otis Sanford. Or check out our ongoing Civil Wrongs series for insightful stories about restorative justice.
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Memphis City Councilwoman Jerri Green won the Democratic nomination for Tennessee Governor and US. Senator Marsha Blackburn won the Republican nomination. -
TN Politics: Election cements new county leadership and sets up congressional match-ups for MidtermsMickell Lowery is the new county mayor; Democrats have to increase voter turnout to win in new gerrymandered districts. -
Shelby County Commissioner Mickell Lowery will be the next mayor of Shelby County and Anthony Buckner will be Shelby County Sheriff.
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This week on WKNO/Channel 10’s “Behind the Headlines,” outgoing Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris joins host Eric Barnes and Daily Memphian reporter Bill Dries. -
It’s Election Day in Shelby County as voters take to the polls for the Shelby County General Election and the state and federal primaries.
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Trolleys could return to Main Street this fall.
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Tennessee is one of five Republican-led states now under consideration to store the nation’s nuclear waste.
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While a criminal investigation continues into the death of Nolan Wells, civil litigation could be coming. -
The Aug. 6 election may be just the beginning of an issue-filled drive to November's midterms. -
Saturday is the last day of early voting ahead of the August 6 election next week.
