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 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. -
KBIA's Darren Hellwege visits with Shinyoung Jeon of the MU Department of Human Development and Family Science about her research into the "Co-Caring" relationship in which parents and teachers partner for wellbeing of young children. -
KBIA's Darren Hellwege talks with Dr. Aileen Garcia of the MU School of Human Development and Family Science about recent research to help parents and early childhood educators. -
KBIA's Darren Hellwege talks with Sarah Catlin, the Executive Director of Access Arts School of Service in Columbia, one of the local non-profits that receive support from the Boone County Community Trust. -
KBIA's Darren Hellwege talks with Mike Sykuta of the Financial Research Institute, which is part of the University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources. They discuss the Institute's research into regulated public utility industries to come together to examine, understand, and debate current issues relating to public utility policy. -
KBIA's Darren Hellwege talks to Dr. Robert Myers, Director of the Center for Regenerative Agriculture, which is part of the University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources. Their research explores ways to improve outcomes for Missouri's food producers. -
KBIA's Darren Hellwege talks with Dr. Zachary Leasor, Director of the Missouri Climate Center, part of the MU College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources. Among other work Leasor is researching affects in drought and other weather effects on Missouri agriculture. -
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.
