Nebraska Broadcasters Association Honors Five with Hall of Fame Induction
The Nebraska Broadcasters Association (NBA) has inducted four veteran broadcasters into its Hall of Fame. The ceremony took place on August 12, 2025, at the NBA’s annual convention in La Vista, Nebraska.
The inductees for the year 2025 are Dennis and Kathi Brown, Dale Johnson, Mike McKnight, and Dave Wingert.
Dennis and Kathi Brown are a husband-and-wife team and the first such owner/operators to be inducted. They purchased KCSR-AM in Chadron in 1991 and later added KBPY-FM in Hay Springs. The couple has been dedicated to providing local news, weather, sports, and community service. Their focus on local content has helped the stations grow through their loyal employee base.
Dale Johnson has a 51-year career in Nebraska radio, including nearly four decades as news director at KFOR in Lincoln. Known for his trusted reporting, Johnson has received multiple awards from national and regional organizations. In 2023, he joined Nebraska Public Media as a morning host and reporter.
Mike McKnight and Dave Wingert were also inducted, though the search results provide fewer details about their careers in this batch of information.
Dave Wingert has an on-air resume of 60 years and counting, with stops in Kansas City, Seattle, and Omaha. Currently, he is the morning host on 1420 KOBM(AM) in Omaha. Prior to this, he was on 590 WOW(AM), 98.5 KQKQ(FM), and 99.9 KGOR(FM) in Omaha. Wingert is also known for his nationally syndicated show "Dave 'Til Dawn."
Dale Johnson has a 51-year radio career in Nebraska, with stops in Holdredge, Kearney, Omaha, Grand Island, and Lincoln. Johnson served as 1240 KFOR(AM)'s news director in Lincoln for 38 years. He has earned multiple industry awards from the AP, RTDNA, the NBA, and UPI. In 2023, Johnson joined Nebraska Public Media, where he serves as morning host and news reporter.
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. It is the second-oldest state broadcast association in the U.S. The addition of the 2025 inductees brings the NAB Hall of Fame to 123 members.
These inductees have been active on Nebraska’s radio airwaves for decades, with their commitment to local news, weather, and high school sports making them standout figures in the state’s broadcasting scene.
- Dennis and Kathi Brown, through their home-and-garden radio station KCSR-AM in Chadron and KBPY-FM in Hay Springs, have been providing local news, weather, sports, and community service for over three decades.
- Dave Wingert, with a 60-year career in media that includes radio stations in Kansas City, Seattle, and Omaha, is known for hosting "Dave 'Til Dawn" and currently serves as the morning host on 1420 KOBM(AM) in Omaha.
