Weather chief Chris Allen named to 2025 KBA Kentucky Mic Hall of Fame

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – WNKY News 40 weather chief Chris Allen has been named to the 2025 Kentucky Broadcasters Association Kentucky Mic Hall of Fame.

The award honors individuals who have made outstanding personal contributions to the broadcasting profession in Kentucky.

In his early life, Allen’s dedication for meteorology was inspired by a childhood fear of storms. Rather than continue to have fear, Allen used it to fuel a lifelong pursuit of understanding and communicating weather information to help keep others safe.

According to WNKY News 40 general manager/GSM Julie Milam, Allen’s broadcasting experience began in the 1980s at WNAZ Radio in Nashville, Tennessee, followed by WCAY Television. He later moved to WBKO Television in Bowling Green, where he dedicated 31 years of weather coverage to south-central Kentucky and became weather chief. He later revisited his radio roots with Commonwealth Broadcasting and joined the WNKY team two years ago, where he continues to serve as weather chief for the region.

Allen has collaborated with the director of Warren County Emergency Management to secure funding for the outdoor warning system, known as the Community Outdoor Warning Sirens, or COWS. He also worked with Kentucky representatives to establish statewide tornado drill declarations for schools and served for years on a committee with the Kentucky National Weather Service in Paducah.

Allen also partnered with Midland Weather Radios in Kansas City, Missouri to launch a local weather preparedness campaign.

Allen’s dedication extends to educating the community, including children at schools, about weather safety. He also shares his knowledge as a valued mentor of meteorology students at Western Kentucky University and provides daily weather updates through the 270 Weather page and the WNKY Weather App.

Here’s to 45 years and many more, Chris! Congratulations from the News 40 team.