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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Wednesday's shock at trial of MPD officers accused of beating Tyre Nichols to death could have long-term reverberations, says Otis Sanford. -
At a rally in Memphis Thursday, organizers shared disappointment with not guilty verdict. -
This week on WKNO/Channel 10’s Behind the Headlines, Eric Barnes hosts a journalist roundtable with MLK50’s Katherine Burgess, the Daily Memphian’s Laura Testino, and the Memphis Flyer’s Kailynn Johnson. -
Three former Memphis Police Officers were found not guilty of all charges in the beating death of Tyre Nichols. -
Protections for animals, inmates and "Voyeurism" victims all had nearly unanimous approval in the General Assembly. -
On this week's WKNO/Channel 10 Behind the Headlines, Shelby County District Attorney General Steve Mulroy joins host Eric Barnes and Daily Memphian reporter Aarron Fleming. -
State Sen. Brent Taylor "bit off a lot" in his efforts to intervene in Shelby County government, says Otis Sanford. -
On this week's WKNO/Channel 10 Behind the Headlines, Just City’s Executive Director Josh Spickler and Program and People Experience Manager Yonée Gibson join host Eric Barnes and Daily Memphian reporter Aarron Fleming. -
Slightly different plans for managing MSCS School Board are being hashed out, though optics concern analyst Otis Sanford. -
A recent report from the Tennessee State Comptroller has been released, examining the criminal justice system in Shelby County. On this week’s WKNO/Channel 10 Behind the Headlines, University of Memphis Public Safety Institute Executive Director Bill Gibbons and Center for Community Research and Evaluation Associate Director Jonathan Bennett join host Eric Barnes and The Daily Memphian reporter Bill Dries.
