The Nebraska Broadcasters Association will add five familiar names to its Hall of Fame when members gather for the group’s annual convention on Tuesday, August 12, in La Vista.
This year’s class includes Dennis and Kathi Brown, Dale Johnson, Mike McKnight, and Dave Wingert. Bringing the Hall’s roster, launched in 1972, to 123 members.
Dennis and Kathi Brown are making history as the first husband-and-wife owner/operator team to be inducted. Their story starts at a Colorado radio station, where they first met. In 1991, they bought KCSR-AM in Chadron, keeping the station from shutting down. They added KBPY-FM in 2011 and built both stations on a foundation of community service, local news, weather coverage, and high school sports. Kathi has been a champion for local businesses, using radio to help them grow. Dennis has been an outspoken advocate for the medium on Capitol Hill and led the NBA Board for three terms.
Dale Johnson’s voice has been part of Nebraska radio for 51 years—most of it as news director at Lincoln’s KFOR. In 2023, he moved to Nebraska Public Media. Bringing with him the trusted interviews and award-winning reporting that have been his hallmark. Johnson has covered some of the state’s biggest stories and even traveled with then-Governor Dave Heineman to Cuba on a trade mission.
Dave Wingert’s broadcasting journey spans six decades. Including stops in Kansas City, Seattle, and a stint in national syndication before making Omaha his home base. Today, he’s the morning voice on KOBM-FM “Boomer Radio,” mixing humor, energy, and a genuine connection with his audience. Away from the studio, Wingert is a regular presence at community events and fundraisers.
Mike McKnight has been at WOWT-TV in Omaha since 1977, carving out a reputation as one of Nebraska’s most respected investigative reporters. His work has held both government and private industry accountable, earning him a long list of honors, including Murrow and Sevareid awards. McKnight also helped open Nebraska courtrooms to television cameras, pushing transparency forward in the state’s legal system.
The NBA will honor all five inductees during its convention, recognizing careers that have shaped Nebraska broadcasting.
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