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 popular Midtown Irish bar Celtic Crossing was struck by an out-of-control vehicle Monday morning, causing substantial damage to the building’s front exterior along Cooper Street. -
A Tennessee immigrant-led group and other advocates are suing the state over a new law they say unfairly targets people who offer shelter to undocumented immigrants.
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Looking for data on who's getting school vouchers or which cars are illegally driven? Loopholes need fixing first. -
Memphis International Airport will be renamed to honor the late FedEx founder Frederick W. Smith, who died last weekend.
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This week on WKNO/Channel 10’s Behind the Headlines, Linda Phillips, Shelby County Election Commission’s Administrator of Elections, and Mark H. Luttrell Jr., Shelby County Election Commission Chairman, join host Eric Barnes. -
— Tennesseans will have no way of knowing how many school vouchers being issued this year are used by students already enrolled in private schools.
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A group of religious leaders and immigrant advocates is suing to block a new Tennessee law that would impose criminal penalties for housing undocumented immigrants.
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When the five former Memphis police officers charged in Tyré Nichols death will be sentenced for their crimes remains an open question.
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Memphis International Airport could soon be renamed in honor of FedEx founder Frederick W. Smith, who died Saturday after suffering a heart attack in his home.
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As the Shelby County budget nears approval, a few funding issues are raising eyebrows.
