Darren Hellwege
Announcer/Producer"The Voice Of Columbia," Darren Hellwege has hosted NPR's “Morning Edition” for over 35 years on KBIA, and serves as host/producer of the “Thinking Out Loud” programs. The series has won a Missouri Broadcasters Association award and gives Darren the chance to "sit and visit" with interesting people from throughout Mid-Missouri and beyond. He also hosts programs on Classical 90.5 FM.
An avid Tiger sports fan, Darren serves as the P.A. announcer for Mizzou Wrestling, Softball and Gymnastics. As former KBIA Sports Director, Darren reported on Tiger athletics for more than 10 years. His reports from the 2009 NCAA Women’s Final Four basketball tournament were heard nationwide on NPR, he appeared on ESPN’s “Outside the Lines,” and was a regular guest with Chris Gervino on KOMU-TV’s Sunday night sports program and on sports talk programs in Kansas City.
Darren has served as president of the Board of Directors for ACT Services of Columbia. Also, he’s been a member of the Columbia/Boone County Board of Health and the Boone County Mental Health Board of Trustees, the University of Missouri Campus Safety Committee, and he was a board member for the Central Missouri Humane Society and Rock Bridge Christian Church. Darren coached youth sports for several years with Boys/Girls Club of Columbia, Columbia Diamond Council and Columbia Youth Basketball Association. He’s also been active in community theatre, performing with Maplewood Barn Community Theatre, Theatre NXS, and MoHip. A Columbia Tribune review of a Maplewood production of "Oklahoma!" included the line "Darren Hellwege is no Fred Astaire."
Darren was born in Stillwater, Oklahoma and grew up in Edmond, Oklahoma where he attended the University of Central Oklahoma. Darren and his wife Bonnie have two grown children. Their son Kristian lives in Columbia and daughter Janie Lavelock lives in Kansas City with her husband Jake, and Darren’s three awesome grandchildren.
Prior to coming to KBIA, Darren worked for public radio station KCSC (now KUCO) in Edmond and at Oklahoma City radio stations WKY and WWLS. He’s also worked for KFRU and KFMZ in Columbia and KWRT in Boonville.
Darren is an avid genealogist, and enjoys playing guitar, listening to all kinds of music, and - of course - sports. He remains a loyal Rams fan, is a 4th generation St. Louis Cardinals supporter, and follows English soccer club Liverpool F.C.
Darren is on X at @kbiamorning where he shares news stories, selfies, and dad jokes.
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KBIA's Darren Hellwege visits with Joe Knight of Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries and Coyote Hill Children's Home about their work and the assistance they've received over the years from the Boone County Community Trust, -
KBIA's Darren Hellwege talks with Stefan Freund about this week's Mizzou International Composers Festival, including the big concert Saturday night. -
KBIA's Darren Hellwege talks with Jill Stedem and Michael Burbank of OATS Transit about their mission of providing transportation services for people around Mid-Missouri and the support they've received from the Boone County Community Trust. -
KBIA's Darren Hellwege talks with Dr. Rachel Thibodeau-Nielsen of the University of Missouri Dept. of Human Development and Family Science about why play isn't just fun for kids, but is a big part of their learning and development. -
KBIA's Darren Hellwege talks with Dr. Melissa Herzog about her work and teaching in Positive Youth Development and how it helps young people find interests that can motivate them. -
KBIA's Darren Hellwege talks with Dr. Steven Krauss of the University of Missouri Dept. of Human Development and Family Science about his work with 4-H Clubs of Missouri and his teaching in Volunteerism and Youth-Adult Parnerships. -
KBIA's Darren Hellwege talks with Dr. Clay Hurdle of the MU School of Human Development and Family Science. Dr. Hurdle discusses teaching leadership to Mizzou students and working with young people through MU Extension and 4-H Clubs of Missouri. -
KBIA's Darren Hellwege talks with author Kimberly Harper of "Men Of No Reputation: Robert Boatright, The Buckfoot Gang, and the Fleecing of Middle America." The book discusses a group of men who scammed Midwesterners with fake athletic events and gambling cons.Harper will be at the State Historical Society of Missouri Tuesday, June 9th at noon as part of their "History on Elm" series. -
KBIA's Darren Hellwege visits with Katie Adkins of the Food Bank of Central and Northeast Missouri. They discuss the Food Bank's work and the crucial role of support from the Boone County Community Trust. -
KBIA's Darren Hellwege talks with Chris Campbell, Executive Director of the Boone County History and Culture Center about the support the Center and Boone County Historical Society have received through the Boone County Community Trust.
