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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Today is the last day to register to vote ahead of the November 3 election. -
US Senator and Tennessee gubernatorial candidate Marsha Blackburn is suing former Special Counsel Jack Smith over his subpoenas for her phone records while his office was investigating her involvement in the Jan. 6 capitol insurrection.
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Otis Sanford discusses the Memphis Safe Task Force, Marsha Blackburn's campaign and botched executions. -
This week on WKNO/Channel 10’s “Behind the Headlines,” Democratic Candidate for US House District 9 Justin J. Pearson joins host Eric Barnes and Daily Memphian reporter Bill Dries. -
Four DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office deputies have been cleared of wrongdoing in a fatal shooting.
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Shelby County’s new Assessor of Property says the number of vacant office buildings in Downtown Memphis are creating problems for future government budgets.
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A federal appeals court has struck down part of a Tennessee anti-abortion law that made it a crime to counsel someone under age 18 about abortion access, even if the abortion would happen in another state where it is legal.
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A Tennessee judge granted Dolly Parton’s estate a temporary restraining order last week against the late singer’s nephew Bryan Seaver and his private security company.
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An online spat with a local attorney reveals Mayor Young's sensitivity on his handling of major issues. -
A federal class action lawsuit was filed this week on behalf of residents affected by noise generated by SpaceXAI’s power plant and data centers in South Memphis and Southaven.
