Award-Winning Journalist Karen Hendricks Announced as New Host of “Morning Edition” on WITF FM
WITF, a Pennon Organization and the NPR member station for south Central Pennsylvania, is pleased to announce Karen Hendricks as the new on-air host of “Morning Edition,” NPR’s morning news program that airs on WITF 89.5 & 93.3 every weekday from 5 – 9 a.m.
“It’s an incredible honor, responsibility, and my greatest joy, to be named the trusted morning voice of WITF,” said Hendricks. “Fact-based news is as essential as oxygen, and in this role, I’m honored to weave together WITF’s compelling local and regional coverage with NPR’s hallmark, unbiased reporting from around the globe—while simultaneously being that steady, friendly voice our listeners can rely on as their morning companion.”
Hendricks is an award-winning, lifelong journalist whose work spans radio, television, podcasts, newspapers and magazines. She has earned more than 20 statewide and national journalism awards, working for media outlets throughout the Mid-Atlantic Region and Central Pennsylvania, from WGAL and the York Daily Record to Baltimore Style, Susquehanna Style, Celebrate Gettysburg and TheBurg magazine, plus TheBurg Podcast, among others.
Although she has interviewed many noted leaders and experts, Hendricks’ true passion is discovering and bringing stories of everyday heroes to light. Her story about a weekend warrior pulling trash out of the Susquehanna River, for the York Daily Record, earned a national first-place award from the Society for Features Journalism in 2024.
Hendricks has served as a frequent guest host for NPR’s daily radio shows, “Morning Edition” and “All Things Considered,” and WITF’s daily news podcast, “The Morning Agenda.”
“Karen has been a steadfast fill-in host for over a year and a half, so when she expressed interest in the ‘Morning Edition’ position, I knew she would be a strong contender,” said WITF Programming Manager John Kinzer. “After interviewing experienced candidates from across the country, it became clear that the on-air presence Karen has demonstrated, as well as her deep roots in the area, made her the best choice to greet WITF’s listeners each morning.”
“In addition to being the new voice of ‘Morning Edition’ here in Central Pennsylvania, I’m excited for Karen to develop and launch a new podcast with a special tie to our region,” Kinzer added.
Hendricks fills the role after the departure of long-time host Tim Lambert in February. Her first day as “Morning Edition” host is April 14. “Morning Edition” is the most listened-to news radio program in the country; listen weekdays from 5 – 9 a.m. on WITF 89.5 & 93.3 and witf.org/stream.
