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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This week on WKNO/Channel 10's Behind the Headlines, Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris and Juvenile Court Judge Tarik Sugarmon join host Eric Barnes and Bill Dries of the Daily Memphian. -
Education reporter Laura Testino says the school board's decision has brought the scrutiny of state lawmakers. -
This week on WKNO/Channel 10's Behind the Headlines, Shelby County Commissioners David Bradford, Brandon Morrison, and Amber Mills join host Eric Barnes and Bill Dries to discuss the Memphis-Shelby County Schools Board's upcoming vote to terminate Superintendent Marie Feagins, the Commissioners' 'no confidence' resolution, criminal justice, budget season and more. -
Volunteer Odyssey offers a way to connect with community organizations needing time and energy. -
MLGW is working to restore residential confidence as Memphis is hit with a snowstorm. MSCS officials have a similar goal after last month's attempt to oust the superintendent. -
This week on WKNO/Channel 10’s Behind the Headlines, Memphis City Council member JB Smiley, Jr., and City Council Chair J. Ford Canale join host Eric Barnes and The Daily Memphian reporter Bill Dries. -
This week on WKNO/Channel 10’s Behind the Headlines, Memphis Mayor Paul Young joins host Eric Barnes and Daily Memphian reporter Bill Dries. -
As Memphis politicians react to a report from the Biden Administration's DOJ, changes to policing may ultimately come from local efforts, not the federal government. -
This week on WKNO/Channel 10’s Behind the Headlines, Eric Barnes hosts a journalist roundtable with The Memphis Flyer’s Toby Sells and The Daily Memphian reporters Bill Dries and Laura Testino. -
This week on WKNO/Channel 10's Behind the Headlines, host Eric Barnes discusses access to legal services with Claudia Williams Hyman, Pro Bono Staff Attorney with West Tennessee Legal Services, and Constance Brown, Access to Justice Chair at the Memphis Bar Association.
