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General Manager’s Notes: Tune in for Bree & Danna

Michelle Matus

No, it’s not still morning and you’re not imagining things. That’s Danna O’Connor on KUNR in the afternoon! Danna’s familiar voice now accompanies you on your afternoon drive, while new Reno Public Radio Morning Edition host Bree Zender gets you up and on your way weekday mornings.

 

After nearly a decade as KUNR’s Morning Edition host—a noteworthy feat—we would all agree that Danna could use a break with a new daytime role. And, with more than 9,000 hours of solo morning hosting under her belt, Danna has earned the chance to catch a few more ZZZs before heading to the station. She now handles daily operational duties at KUNR before taking to the airwaves at 3 p.m. to host an afternoon of Marketplace and All Things Considered.

Meanwhile, in December we welcomed Bree Zender to KUNR and to our community, the newest rising talent joining our exceptionally talented team. Bree comes to Reno most recently from California’s Central Coast, at KCBX in San Luis Obispo. Before that, she spent some time in Missoula, Montana while earning her bachelor’s degree in journalism and studying theater at the University of Montana. She’s originally from a small town close to the Canadian border, Deming, Washington—where she is related to the majority of the people who live there!

Bree is a fan of hiking and backpacking, so Reno is ideal for her lifestyle. She loves the casino lights downtown and how friendly everybody is here. Bree lives close to downtown and plans to get a cat in a few weeks. She’s also into sketch and improv comedy and performs on occasion.

With KUNR in its 55th year, this change comes at a key point in our history and our future. Reno Public Radio’s focus on expanded local stories creates opportunities to broaden our team of journalists and blend a widening variety of perspectives, generations and approaches to reflect our increasingly diverse audiences.

As General Manager orchestrating this transition, it’s been gratifying to watch Danna mentoring Bree as she takes the busy, challenging reigns of Morning Edition. What I love about this moment is that it’s not so much passing the torch as it is sharing it, for the benefit of our listeners. Danna represents the enduring and endearing spirit of public radio, the warm and calm presence of KUNR’s 20-year veteran and former jazz host who steadily steered the Morning Edition ship since 2008. Bree brings her own sensibility, personality and an innate curiosity to befriend and engage our listeners both on Morning Edition and in her upcoming news stories.

With Danna’s move to daytime operations point person and afternoon host, and Bree settling into her new morning role and her new community, the continuity of the veteran and the newcomer working together, along with the rest of the team, leads to a bright and hopeful 2018 and beyond for Reno Public Radio.

Happy New Year to You and Yours,

David Stipech

PS: Bree could use your help learning the local pronunciations, names and oddities! Email her at feedback@kunr.org to share your tips and idiosyncrasies from our region.

David Stipech is a former general manager at KUNR Public Radio.