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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The staff of the Shelby County Jail say inmates and jailers are facing inhumane and cruel conditions due to a broken air conditioning system. -
Type O blood is in short supply in the Memphis area, and collection groups are encouraging people to donate.
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Public transit advocates say more funding is needed for the Memphis Area Transit Authority.
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Otis Sanford remembers the 1976 anniversary of the Declaration of Independence as a time when the nation came together around history and patriotism. -
The University of Memphis athletic department has set a fundraising record for the second straight year.
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A federal judge has ordered the State of Tennessee to temporarily halt its takeover of the Memphis-Shelby County Schools District.
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As SpaceX continues to face local controversy over its data centers, it announced on its website that Memphis area residents, including those in North Mississippi, can get half-off monthly discounts on its satellite internet service named Starlink.
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Memphis Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant is being traded to the Portland Trail Blazers.
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Memphis Mayor Paul Young made personnel changes in his administration last week, replacing his Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and the city’s Chief Engineer all in the same day.
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Memphis Mayor Paul Young made personnel changes in his administration last week, replacing his Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and the city’s Chief Engineer all in the same day.
