CENTENNIAL, Colo. March 24, 2015 – Four new hires have joined the Colorado Public Radio News (CPR News) team, helping to expand and enhance in-depth news and information for the Colorado community. They include a general assignment reporter, afternoon news host and “Colorado Matters” producer, while the addition of an energy and environment reporter brings new expertise to explore an issue with growing impact in Colorado.
“The depth of talent is truly exceptional and will be instrumental for CPR as we look to expand our coverage and provide more context on key issues ranging from education, government and health to energy and the environment,” said Kelley Griffin, vice president of news. “We’re excited to add more resources and analysis to examine the interplay happening between Colorado’s energy and environmental landscape as this is a critical relationship that has statewide implications.”
Jo Ann Allen joins CPR as an afternoon host providing hourly updates on news from around the state. She brings over two decades of public radio experience to CPR, including hosting “Morning Edition,” “All Things Considered” and “Weekend Edition” at WNYC for 18 years, and more recently hosting “Morning Edition” at WHYY in Philadelphia. Allen was also a news anchor at Air America Radio and KPBS in San Diego, and taught as an adjunct professor of journalism at Long Island University. She received a bachelor’s degree in public communications and journalism from Edgewood College.
Nathan Heffel joins CPR as a general assignment reporter and backup host. He has five years of local reporting experience, with three years as a reporter and host at KUNC covering an array of topics, including transportation, public infrastructure and LGBT issues. Prior to KUNC, Heffel was at KUVO, where he was a producer and local co-host of the national news program, “The Takeaway.” Heffel’s reporting has been recognized by the Society of Professional Journalists, the Associated Press, the Colorado Broadcasters Association and Public Radio News Directors Incorporated, among others. He has a bachelor’s degree in government from Lawrence University and a certificate in broadcast arts from Colorado Media School.
Grace Hood will launch CPR’s new energy and environment beat. Hood comes to CPR with over a decade of experience, including six years with KUNC where she covered a range of topics from fracking and agriculture to online education, earning her the Daniel Schorr Journalism Prize in 2012. She also has three national Edward R. Murrow awards to her credit for audio investigative and featuring reporting, and The Associated Press named her best radio reporter in Colorado in 2013. Hood received a bachelor’s degree in history from Bryn Mawr College.
Kareem Maddox is a producer for “Colorado Matters,” responsible for researching, writing and booking guests for CPR’s daily interview program. Maddox was formerly an assistant producer for KCRW in Los Angeles where he produced segments for the nationally syndicated show, “To The Point.” He is also the co-founder of the interview website Piqued, which features interviews with expert guests. Maddox received a bachelor’s degree in English literature from Princeton University.
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Colorado Public Radio is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that enriches the Colorado community by providing news, information and music for people who want to be informed, enlightened and entertained. Roughly 95 percent of CPR's funds come from the private support of listeners, businesses and foundations.
News: Denver 90.1 FM, Boulder 1490 AM, Pueblo 1230 AM, Vail 89.9 FM, Grand Junction 89.5 FM, Montrose / Craig / Parachute 88.3 FM, Gunnison 89.9 FM, Ouray 91.5 FM, Meeker / Rangely 91.1 FM, and online at www.cprnews.org.
Classical: Denver 88.1 FM, Boulder 99.9 FM, Pueblo 91.9 FM, Colorado Springs 94.7 FM, Vail 89.1 FM, Glenwood Springs 90.5 FM, Aspen 101.5 FM, Western Slope 103.3 FM, Dove Creek 88.7 FM, Gunnison 89.1 FM, Cortez 102.5 FM, Crystal River Valley / Old Snowmass 93.9 FM, Thomasville 93.7 FM, and online at www.cprclassical.org.
OpenAir: Denver 102.3 FM, 1340 AM and online at www.openaircpr.org.
