Former Virginian-Pilot reporter named WHRO news director

Former Virginian-Pilot reporter Mechelle Hankerson has been named news director at WHRO Public Media.

Hankerson, a Virginia Beach native, joined the station in 2019 as a reporter, producing local news reports and features on inequity and justice, the pandemic and education. Her reports were broadcast nationwide on NPR, in addition to locally on WHRV (89.5 FM).

As news director, Hankerson will oversee the editorial direction of the newsroom, journalists and public affairs programs.

“I’m so excited to lead a newsroom here in my home, Hampton Roads,” Hankerson said in a news release. “We have a talented, eager team that’s ready to highlight the many voices and experiences in our region while tackling important stories that need to be told. I’m looking forward to giving our listeners and readers information that helps them better understand the world.”

Before joining WHRO, Hankerson was a reporter at Richmond-based The Virginia Mercury, a nonprofit news site covering state politics. At the Pilot, Hankerson covered Virginia Beach from 2016 to 2018 and focused on storm water systems and how the city handled recurrent flooding.

“We couldn’t be more thrilled to have Mechelle in this new role,” said Heather Mazzoni, chief content officer at WHRO Public Media. “She is thorough, dynamic and continues to bring innovation to our newsroom.”

Amy Poulter, 757-446-2705, amy.poulter@pilotonline.com