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.
-
Republican candidates avoid debates and the as challengers poke holes in the MAGA narrative that things are going great. -
Senator Marsha Blackburn has stirred controversy by posting a video of her dancing to Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us.” Political candidates respond. -
This week on WKNO/Channel 10’s “Behind the Headlines,” outgoing Germantown Mayor Mike Pazzolo joins host Eric Barnes and Daily Memphian reporter Abigail Warren. -
Two state legislators from Memphis are vying for Congress based partially on their track record on sensitive environmental issues.
-
In a divided vote on Tuesday, the Memphis City Council rejected an indefinite moratorium on new data centers. -
A Shelby County Chancery Court Judge has put another halt to the state takeover of Memphis-Shelby County Schools.
-
Last week’s opening day turnout of early voting for the November 3rd elections rivaled the 2018 midterms.
-
Three amendments touching on crime and taxes top the ballot. What are people voting for? -
A judge has ruled that the state takeover of Memphis-Shelby County Schools can finally proceed.
-
This week on WKNO/Channel 10’s “Behind the Headlines,” Eric Barnes hosts a journalist roundtable with the Memphis Flyer’s Kailynn Johnson and Daily Memphian reporters Mary Cashiola and Bill Dries.
