Deneen Smith’s passion for journalism runs deep, dating back to her time at Northern Illinois University.
“I was fascinated by journalism, and worked at the college newspaper,” Deneen said.
Before being hired as WPR’s first Daily News Editor in 2021, Deneen spent her career working as a reporter for newspapers in the Chicago area and the Kenosha News, where she covered the courts, including many high-profile cases like the Kyle Rittenhouse homicide trial.
Deneen has long been a WPR sustaining member and said she’s always admired public radio’s mission of making news and cultural content available to all through multiple formats.
“That we can help people know what’s happening in their state and in their communities and how it impacts their lives, or even people in their communities that they should know about, is really important for a functioning society,” Deneen said.
As a daily news editor, Deneen is a driving force behind the news department’s radio newscasts and web articles.
Deneen lives on her family’s small horse farm in Kenosha County — joined by a plethora of animals including a pet cow named Marcie. Outside of work she enjoys hiking, gardening, reading and volunteering with the Wisconsin Humane Society.
– Rich Kremer, Political Reporter
