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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The TBI is adding two employees at its Jackson crime lab to test Memphis Rape Kits. -
Nashville's mayor doesn't like ICE crackdowns. State lawmakers want him — and other pro-immigration politicians — kicked out of office. -
This week on WKNO/Channel 10’s Behind the Headlines, Shelby County Commissioner Erika Sugarmon and Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris join host Eric Barnes and Daily Memphian reporter Bill Dries. -
Memphis City Council members added a 3% raise for all city employees as it approved a city operating budget and property-tax rate.
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The Memphis Music Hall of Fame has announced six new inductees.
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Attorneys for Tyré Nichols’ family and estate want a federal judge to remove a stay that has protected five former officers from parts of the civil lawsuit over Nichols’ death.
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FedEx founder Fred Smith says he is concerned about the economy due to tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump.
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While legislators ultimately were transparent about it, their actions raise ethical concerns.
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This week on WKNO/Channel 10’s Behind the Headlines, Memphis City Council member Rhonda Logan and Hospitality Hub of Memphis Executive Director Kelcey Johnson join host Eric Barnes and Daily Memphian reporter Bill Dries. -
While civic leaders say they support the rebuilding project, the funding to replace the fire-destroyed landmark may not come from the city or county until it has a role to play.
