Diane Thompson
Diane Thompson has been a storyteller her whole life, beginning as a 10-year old child publishing a neighborhood newspaper to her current position as anchor of the weekday afternoon news for KNX 1070 NEWSRADIO. She also hosts and produces the popular KNX Heroes feature.
Ms. Thompson brings 31 years or experience as a professional broadcaster to KNX, joining the staff in 1985 following news director duties at KHJ-AM in Los Angeles and anchor/reporter duties at KBBC-FM and KJJJ-AM in Phoenix, Arizona. While earning her journalism degree at the University of Texas-Austin, Ms. Thompson handled the duties of weekend news producer for KVUE-TV in Austin and state Capitol stringer for KTRH radio in Houston.
Ms. Thompson has been honored for her reporting, writing, and anchoring skills with 21 Golden Mikes from the Radio and TV News Association of Southern California. In 2009, she won the award for ‘Best Radio Entertainment Reporting’ (A Night At the Oscars) while the KNX Hero feature earned her Golden Mikes for ‘Best Radio Feature News Series Reporting’ in both 2006 and 2008. An hour-long live special following the devastating 2007 wildfires (Heroes Out of the Ashes) was honored with an AP Mark Twain award for ‘Best Special Program’. She’s also been honored over the years with numerous awards from the Los Angeles Press Club, Valley Press Club, Radio Festival of New York, The California Bar Association, UPI, and the California State Fair.
In 2001, Ms. Thompson received the prestigious Bill Stout Memorial Award for ‘Outstanding Spot News’ for her coverage of the near-fatal KABC-TV news van explosion. The award is given by the Associated Press Television and Radio Association.
Ms. Thompson’s news journey has taken her to 22 Academy Awards ceremonies, 14 Rose Parades, the 1984 Summer Olympics, opening ceremonies at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, and Pope John Paul’s visit to Southern California. Along the way, she has covered countless major news stories firsthand, including the Los Angeles riots, the North Hollywood bank shootout, the Loma Prieta and Northridge earthquakes, the Cerritos mid-air plane crash, the First Interstate Bank high-rise fire, the Simpson/Goldman murders and the Quartz Hill kidnapping case.
Ms. Thompson enjoys singing in her church choir and hiking, snow skiing and biking with her husband and two sons.
Follow Ms. Thompson on Twitter: @KNXDiane
‘A Miracle’: OC Doctor Revives Boy, 11
It was New Year’s Eve, and Irvine doctor Amir Yazdan had just bought a new Porsche back east.
‘Bike Angel’ Turns Old Bikes Into Christmas Cheer For Burbank Kids
“Bike Angel” Elaine Pease is behind an effort to turning old bikes into a holiday blessing.
Singing Nurse Leads Santa Clarita Patients To ‘Smile’
For Jared Axen, who’s known by his patients as “The Singing Nurse”, carrying a tune is almost as important as caring for his patients.
Animal Control Officer Takes Bite From 80-Pound Pit Bull To Protect Kids
One county animal control officer knows what it means to take a bite for the community.
Air Force Vet Praises 24-Year-Old For ‘Integrity’ After Losing ID
A Marina del Rey woman springs into action when an Army Air Force veteran loses her wallet.
Mom-Daughter Duo Scare Up Help With ‘Haunted’ Santa Clarita Shelter
Theresa and MacKenna Basore of Stevenson Ranch hosted a “haunted house” to benefit those less fortunate families in need of a real home.
Harvard-Westlake Teen’s Efforts Behind ‘Elephant Awareness Day’
A Pacific Palisades teenager is trying to herd the world toward better awareness of elephant abuse.
Former POWs Recall Escape From Bataan Death March
Harry Corre, Richard Peterson and Bill Sanchez are among those veterans who have suffered greatly after their service.
Arcadia Brothers Harvest Fruit For San Gabriel Valley Families
When most kids their age are hanging out with their friends, Zach and Jackson Selby spend many of their weekends picking fruit.
Beverly Hills Holocaust Survivor: Auschwitz Horrors ‘Impossible To Explain’
On this Holocaust Remembrance Day, Max Webb still struggles to describe the events he endured nearly 70 years ago.
Lancaster Girl Calls 911, Saves Grandfather’s Life
An 11-year old Lancaster girl who dialed the right number to save her ailing grandfather is officially a hero in the eyes of L.A. County.
‘My Family Escaped Death’: Sri Lankan Refugee Builds Hope Through Hip-Hop
A Sri Lankan refugee who gave up his chance to become a lawyer has used rap music to give back to those he left behind.
Father’s Day Reflections: Diane Thompson of KNX
My Dad was an extraordinary man… a loving husband and father, Harvard educated cardio-vascular surgeon…
Sergeant Recruits Abandoned Horses Into LA County Sheriff’s Unit
Two horses left for dead will become deputized members of the sheriff department’s Mounted Enforcement Detail, thanks to the care of a sergeant in the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
Most Memorable Moments From The 2011 Oscars
Oscar winners took home a nice, heavy statuette, but what will we, the viewers, take home from this year’s Oscarcast? Herewith, some moments to remember, marvel at, cry at, frown at or simply scratch our heads at…
