Craig Kopp Named WNKU-FM News Director

Former WEBN-FM newsman Craig Kopp has impressed WNKU-FM folks in his three-month stint as "Morning Edition" anchor that he's been named news director. Smart move.The position had been vacant for 2-1/2 yeas, since Maryanne Zeleznik left WNKU-FM for WVXU-FM, after Cincinnati Public Radio/WGUC-FM bought the Xavier station.

Kopp moves from part-time to full-time status. He'll oversee two reporters, Steve Hirschberg and Matthew Kelly. It's the first personnel move by Chuck Miller, the general manager hired from New Orleans in December.

Kopp did news for WEBN-FM 1976-96, then moved over to sister Clear Channel station WKRC-AM. He lost his job as WKRC-AM morning co-host when Jerry Thomas retired in December 2006.

"My first professional passion is radio news," he says in the NKU announcement today. "To be given this chance to head up the news department at such a special radio station is a real blessing. WNKU is probably the coolest station in town with the most unique and hip music you'll ever hear. If WNKU News is as clued in as the rest of the radio station, we'll do very well."

Says Miller in the statement: "We’re thrilled to have Craig on board. He has long been a respected asset to our region. We look forward to our news department's growth and service to the community at large as we all join Craig in the creation of local service with a difference."

It's good news for NKU, and for Kopp.