Cincinnati Public Radio Named Costello News Director

The veteran local reporter has transitioned into her new role as the assistant news director for 91.7 WVXU.

Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in City Hall

Cincinnati Public Radio Named Costello News Director

Cincinnati Public Radio has appointed Becca Costello as the new Assistant News Director for 91.7 WVXU. Costello steps into the leadership role after serving as a reporter covering Cincinnati City Hall.

Why it matters

This promotion elevates a journalist with deep institutional knowledge of local government policy to a leadership position within the city's public media landscape.

The appointment became official on October 14, 2026, for the station operating on the 91.7 FM frequency. The broader Cincinnati Public Radio network also includes stations on 88.5 FM and 90.9 FM.

The players

Becca Costello

She is the newly appointed Assistant News Director for 91.7 WVXU who previously covered Cincinnati City Hall.

Cincinnati Public Radio

This is the non-profit media organization that operates 91.7 WVXU along with other regional public radio stations.

The details

Costello previously built her reporting reputation by covering local government for the station since early 2021. During her tenure, she launched the City Government 101 newsletter and co-created the Backed Up podcast, which earned recognition from both NPR and The Atlantic.

Costello began her reporting career at WVXU in early 2021.
The appointment to Assistant News Director took effect on October 14, 2026.

Political Context

This leadership shift aligns with the NPR-affiliated public media local-journalism focus that prioritizes deep community reporting. The promotion follows a broader industry trend of stations selecting reporters with established government beats to lead their editorial strategy.

Residents can expect the newsroom coverage to continue reflecting the specific local government insights Costello developed during her years on the City Hall beat. The shift signifies a commitment to maintaining current reporting standards on municipal policy issues.

The takeaway

Leadership changes at local stations directly influence the style and depth of investigative reporting provided to the public. Listeners should look for continued alignment between the station's editorial priorities and the background of their newly appointed directors.