Comings and goings: Chicago Public Media hires editor-in-chief, Louisville Public Media promotes staff …

Kimbriell Kelly was named editor-in-chief of Chicago Public Media.

Kelly will have editorial oversight of the Chicago Sun-Times newspaper, the WBEZ public radio station and the Vocalo music station, according to a news release. She succeeds Jennifer Kho, who joined the Sun-Times in 2022 after its sale to Chicago Public Media. Kho will leave the position Sept. 12.

Kelly most recently worked as an investigations editor for the Investigative Project on Race and Equity, based in Chicago. She has also been an investigative reporter for the Washington Post and assistant managing editor and Washington, D.C., bureau chief for the Los Angeles Times.

Kelly started her journalism career in Chicago. She has worked as publisher, editor and reporter for the Chicago Reporter, staff writer for the Daily Herald, host for Chicago Fox affiliate WFLD and producer for WBEZ.

“I’m honored to return to the city that shaped me and to lead a newsroom with such a vital role in informing and engaging our communities,” Kelly said in the news release. “This is an extraordinary opportunity to build on Chicago Public Media’s strengths and to help reimagine public media for the future.”

Louisville Public Media announced several promotions as part of a restructuring of its newsroom, music services and digital platforms.

Bec Feldhaus Adams was named executive editor of news. Adams joined the station in 2021 and most recently worked as news director. She has also been news director for WHRO Public Media in Norfolk, Va.; an editor for WAMU in Washington, D.C.; a part-time editor and reporter for NPR; and talent director for the Association of Independents in Radio.

Amina Elahi became managing editor of LPM News. She joined the station in 2017 as a city reporter and most recently worked as city editor.

Giselle Rhoden was promoted to arts and culture reporter. She joined LPM in 2023 as a breaking news and general assignment reporter and most recently worked as an engagement reporter and producer.

Daniel Gilliam was promoted to director of programming. He joined WUOL, LPM’s classical music station, in 2005, then worked as PD for YourClassical at Minnesota Public Radio from 2010–12. He returned to WUOL as PD and has also been director of radio. In his new role, he will continue overseeing WUOL while coordinating programming strategy across the classical station, the WFPK Triple A music station and LPM News.

Laura Ellis was appointed director of on-demand and digital strategy. Ellis joined the station in 2004 as senior producer and podcast editor and was also director of podcasts and special projects.

KMUW in Wichita, Kan., announced editorial changes.

Tom Shine will retire from his position as news director in December but will continue his work as an adjunct instructor at the station’s owner, Wichita State University. Shine joined KMUW in 2017. Before that, he held several roles at The Wichita Eagle over 37 years, including police reporter, sports reporter, sports editor, news editor and deputy editor.

KMUW GM Debra Fraser praised Shine’s tenure at the station in a news release. “Wichita has benefitted from Tom’s superb editing, reporting, teaching and shaping public discourse for a long time, and he’s finally taking time to pursue hobbies, spend time with family and whatever makes him happy,” Fraser said.

Suzanne Perez, assistant news director, will succeed Shine next year. Perez joined the station in 2021 as an education reporter and started her current job last year. Before joining KMUW, she worked for The Wichita Eagle for 31 years as an education reporter, columnist and opinion editor.

“I’ve had the pleasure of working with Tom and learning from him for more than three decades,” Perez said in the release. “At KMUW, he has built a news team committed to the tenets of local journalism and the mission of public radio. I wish him all the best in retirement and look forward to continuing his work.”

Engineering

Larry Stratton, chief engineer for Northern California Public Media in Rohnert Park, retired from the station. Stratton joined NorCal Public Media in 1989 and also worked as COO. “During the hardest times, with no budget, and many worries, Larry found ways to create the most robust TV and radio technical operation possible,” said CEO Darren LaShelle on LinkedIn. “⁠Despite having increased resources and new equipment, we know that doing things well and doing them with care was always Larry’s first priority and we hope to continue his legacy.⁠”

Marketing

Tiffany Head left her position as marketing and communications manager for Arkansas PBS to become media relations director for the University of Central Arkansas. Head joined the station in 2004 as a publicist and was also promotions supervisor before moving into her latest role in 2019. She was also an education editor for The Times Dispatch in Walnut Ridge, Ark. “I have enjoyed working with journalists throughout the state for the past two decades,” she wrote in an outgoing message. “May you always find programming you love on Arkansas PBS, and go Bears!”

Content

Kavahn Mansouri was hired as an economic development reporter for St. Louis Public Radio. Mansouri most recently worked as an investigative reporter for the Midwest Newsroom, the regional collaborative of NPR and four public media stations, including STLPR. Before that, he was the government accountability reporter for the Belleville News-Democrat in Illinois and a reporter for the Washington Missourian. In a news release, he said, “I want to look deeply at the sort of systematic things that happen in our city, our region, and look at how it impacts the people who live here, and who wins and who loses. Really tell the stories of the people who are struggling under decisions that are made by the people at the top.”

Fellowships

Michael Olson, deputy managing editor for Minnesota Public Radio, was selected to participate in the executive program in news innovation and leadership at the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at the City University of New York. Olson is one of 21 journalists selected for the sixth cohort, which will run online from September to June next year with some in-person residencies scheduled. Olson joined MPR in 2011 as editor of Minnesota Today and has also been a senior editor. Before that, he worked as an editor on NPR’s elections unit and editor for KUT in Austin, Texas.

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