Nebraska Broadcasters Association Inducts Five Individuals into its Honored Hall
In a celebration of the state's rich broadcasting history, the Nebraska Broadcasters Association (NBA) has announced its 2025 Hall of Fame inductees. This esteemed group includes five individuals who have made significant contributions to the world of broadcasting in Nebraska.
The inductees for this year are Dennis & Kathi Brown, Dale Johnson, Mike McKnight, and Dave Wingert. These five individuals have spent decades serving the Nebraskan community through local news, weather, and high school sports.
Dennis and Kathi Brown, husband and wife owner/operators, first met while working at a Colorado radio station. They later returned to Nebraska and grew KCSR through its local employees, eventually purchasing 107.7 KBPY(FM). The couple's dedication to community radio is evident in their efforts to prevent 610 KCSR(AM) in Chadron, Nebraska, from going silent in 1991.
Dale Johnson, with a 51-year radio career in Nebraska, has spent 38 years as 1240 KFOR(AM)'s news director in Lincoln. Johnson's commitment to journalistic excellence has earned him multiple industry awards from the AP, RTDNA, the NBA, and UPI. In 2023, Johnson joined Nebraska Public Media, where he now serves as morning host and news reporter.
Mike McKnight, an investigative reporter for Omaha's WOWT(TV) since 1977, is also among the 2025 inductees. McKnight's tireless work in uncovering the truth has made him a respected figure in Nebraska journalism.
Dave Wingert, with an on-air resume of 60 years and counting, has made Omaha his radio home. Wingert's career includes stops at 590 WOW(AM), 98.5 KQKQ(FM), and 99.9 KGOR(FM) before becoming morning host on 1420 KOBM(AM) in 2016.
The NBA Hall of Fame, established in 1972, now stands at 123 members. As the second-oldest state broadcast association in the U.S., the NBA continues to honour individuals who have made significant contributions to the broadcasting industry in Nebraska.
The Nebraska Broadcasters Association is a nonprofit organization, established in 1934, supporting the interests of FCC-licensed AM, FM, and TV member stations in the state. This year's inductees are a testament to the NBA's commitment to recognising and celebrating the achievements of its members.
[1] Source for the list of inductees: https://www.nebraskabroadcasters.org/ [3] Source for the establishment year of the NBA: https://www.nebraskabroadcasters.org/about-us/ [4] Source for the number of NBA Hall of Fame members: https://www.nebraskabroadcasters.org/hall-of-fame/ [5] Source for the NBA being the second-oldest state broadcast association in the U.S.: https://www.nebraskabroadcasters.org/about-us/
- The Nebraska Broadcasters Association (NBA) has chosen individuals from various media platforms as its 2025 Hall of Fame inductees, such as Dennis and Kathi Brown from community radio, Dale Johnson from news radio, Mike McKnight from television, and Dave Wingert from radio.
- Among the inductees is Dennis and Kathi Brown, who met at a Colorado radio station, returned to Nebraska, and grew KCSR through local employees, preventing one of their stations from going silent in 1991.
- Dale Johnson, with over 51 years of radio career in Nebraska, has served as the news director at 1240 KFOR(AM) for 38 years and is currently the morning host and news reporter at Nebraska Public Media.
- Mike McKnight, an investigative reporter for Omaha's WOWT(TV) since 1977, will also be inducted for his tireless work in uncovering the truth, making him a respected figure in Nebraska journalism.
- Dave Wingert, with a 60-year radio career, has made Omaha his radio home, working at various stations before becoming the morning host on 1420 KOBM(AM) in 2016.
- With the inductees of this year, the NBA Hall of Fame, established in 1972, now stands at 123 members, making it a testament to the organization's commitment to recognizing and celebrating the achievements of its members.
