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 Nora Hager of MU's Department of Human Development and Family Science. A visit to the doctor or hospital can very frightening for young children, Hager's research looks at ways to reduce anxiety about encounters with the health care settings so kids will understand better why they're there. -
KBIA's Darren Hellwege talks with Dr. Kale Monk of the MU Department of Human Development and Family Science, who offers tips for year-round relationship maintenance, things that don't need to wait for Valentine's Day or anniversaries. -
KBIA's Darren Hellwege talks with Dr. Francisco Palermo about family stressors and how that can affect parenting for preschool kids. -
KBIA's Darren Hellwege talks with Tina Marso, Director of Tax Services at Accounting Plus, about some new laws from the federal government and Missouri that may affect your filing this year. -
KBIA's Darren Hellwege talks with Dr. Kale Monk of the MU Department of Human Development and Family Science. Dr. Monk has relationship advice and research that's useful for every day, not just Valentine's Day. -
Taxes for businesses are different from your personal taxes, and due sooner. Samantha Dent of Accounting Plus joins KBIA's Darren Hellwege to discuss business taxes and the assistance they offer business operators.
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KBIA's Darren Hellwege talks with Dr. Sarah Killoren about research on the subject of family stress during the holidays, including how siblings can help one another in dealing with holiday anxiety. -
November is Family Caregiver Month, Darren Hellwege talks with Dr. Megan Gilligan of Mizzou's Department of Human Development and Family Sciences about the latest research on the subject of caregivers, particularly caring for older adults.
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In this Talking Politics Dr. Terry Smith looks back over an incredible eventful year in American politics, and some predictions that did, and did not, come true. -
KBIA's Darren Hellwege talks with Samantha Dent of Accounting Plus, Inc about the advice they give for legal compliance, bringing in a successor for your business, and other topics that they can assist with.
