Kate Ryan
Kate Ryan’s experience in journalism goes back to the first time she interviewed a clown.
No, that’s not an editorial comment—Ringling Bros. Circus had come to NYC and her father, Bill Ryan, a former NBC correspondent, put a mic in his 5th grade daughter’s hand and set her to work. He used to say of broadcasting, “It sure beats working!” Kate’s come to agree, though she’s still coming to terms with her coulrophobia (that fear of clowns thing.)
As a member of the award-winning WTOP News Team, Kate’s focused on state and local government from Rockville to Richmond. Her focus has always been on how decisions made in a council chamber or state house affect your house. She’s also covered breaking news ranging from the arrest of then-D.C. Mayor Marion Barry to the deadliest crash in Metro’s history to the 2010 hostage-taking at Discovery Headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland. Kate’s also chased hurricanes, tracked tornadoes, waded through the snow drifts of “Snowmageddon” and covered the many protracted power outages that have followed those storms.
Kate also worked as News Director and morning anchor at WTOP’s then-sister station, WASH-FM. She produced a weekly public affairs show and interviewed authors, politicians and Pulitzer prize-winners. Interviewees include David Simon, creator of HBO’s “The Wire,” two-time Pulitzer prize winner David McCullogh, and one of the central figures of the Iran Contra Affair, Lt. Colonel Oliver North.
Kate’s been recognized for her series and features: from the aggravation of trying to find a parking space in a crowded downtown “Can I Park Here?” to whether letter writing has become a lost art “Don’t Forget to Write.” Working with her colleague Darci Marchese, she won a regional Murrow Award for an examination of mental illness, “The Loneliest Disease.” Most recently, she produced a series on bullying “No Bully Left Behind.”
Kate’s also enjoyed the chance to produce features on people whose stories capture the imagination; a teenage violin virtuoso whose work was played at the Holocaust Memorial Museum, the street vendors known as the Arabbers of Baltimore, and veterans who take part in physical therapy using the horses of “The Old Guard”, the US Army’s Caisson platoon.
Kate has an MA in teaching from Johns Hopkins University. She’s taught U.S. History and AP Government to high school students in Montgomery County Maryland, one of the nation’s consistently top-rated school systems. She’s attended Street Law’s Supreme Court Summer Institute,which allowed her to sit in on oral arguments before the Supreme Court.
Thanks in part to WTOP’s support for creating a staff with depth and breadth, she was chosen as the 1000th fellow in the RTDNA/RIAS fellowship program in which journalists from the U.S. get a chance to explore issues of common interest in Berlin, Germany. While there she examined an issue of global and local importance: traffic.
Kate speaks Spanish, makes a good effort in French, and struggles in Dutch. Kate lives in Washington, D.C. and blogs about getting around by bike on her website: Lane Change, Kate Ryan Reports. Kate is honored to work in a newsroom with colleagues whose commitment to news is second to none.
You can email Kate at kryan@wtop.com or follow her on Twitter.
Latest Articles by Kate Ryan
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Owners deny dogs involved in attack are ‘dangerous’ as case goes to hearing board
The owners of the five pit bull mix dogs involved in an attack on another dog who died from her injuries are appealing a county decision that labelled the pit bulls as “dangerous.” If the board determines the dogs are dangerous, they could be euthanized.
24 hours ago -
Cell tower vote in Montgomery Co. set for Tuesday
The Montgomery County Council will vote on a zoning text amendment that would change the rules on the size and location of telecommunications towers in the county — and opposition hasn’t waned leading up to Tuesday’s vote.
24 hours ago -
VOTER VOICES: Frederick Co. residents talk health care, transportation — and guns
As Marylanders prepare to head to the polls, WTOP headed to Frederick County, Maryland, to find out what’s at stake for residents and local party leaders with under a month left until the 2018 elections.
2 days ago -
Census Bureau phone calls? They’re probably legit
Typically, field representatives will call after a form has been sent to your home and the bureau didn’t get a response, Edwards said. The calls are done year round and collect information used in a variety of ways.
4 days ago -
VOTER VOICES: What Baltimore residents want to hear from the candidates for governor
While Republican Gov. Larry Hogan and his Democratic challenger Ben Jealous crisscross Maryland and trade barbs ahead of the upcoming election, the residents of Baltimore City go about their lives with a steady drumbeat of grim news reports in the background. As part of the series, “Voter Voices,” WTOP talked to voters at Baltimore’s famed Lexington Market about what they want to hear the candidates discuss on the campaign trail.
1 week ago -
Recovering population of endangered Md. birds set to fly south — by plane
The breeding and research program at Patuxent Wildlife Research Center — a partnership between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Geological Survey — is coming to an end. The 75 whooping cranes raised and cared for there will be sent to wildlife centers and zoos. See photos.
2 weeks ago -
Nearly 3 years after fire, Annapolis Yacht Club reopens (Photos)
The club was consumed in huge fire caused by a decorated Christmas tree in December 2015. Damages came to $9 million.
2 weeks ago -
Miss the bus on purpose: Wednesday is walk (and bike) to school day
The event encourages communities to make walking to school safer and more appealing to kids and their families. And while many parents like the idea, they still have concerns about safety.
2 weeks ago -
VOTER VOICES: Sizing up Hogan, Jealous in ‘bellwether’ Howard Co.
In the second chapter of WTOP’s Voter Voices series, Howard County voters speak about their concerns, priorities and what’s on their mind as the governor’s race fast approaches.
2 weeks ago -
Md. students can report threats through statewide school safety tip line
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan unveiled the “Safe Schools Maryland” tip line Wednesday, where students across the state can report possible threats anonymously. There’s also a smartphone app.
3 weeks ago -
Facial-recognition technology at Dulles catches 3 impostors entering US
Three times in a 40-day span, people trying to enter the U.S. at Dulles Airport have been declared impostors by Customs and Border Protection officials.
3 weeks ago -
Montgomery Co. expands carbon monoxide detector rule for homes
The change in Montgomery County means homes that had building permits issued before January 2008 must have detectors if they have a gas-operated appliance or an attached garage.
3 weeks ago -
Montgomery Co. Council reshapes rules for farm-based businesses
The regulations are intended to promote agricultural businesses in the county while relieving development pressure on farmers.
3 weeks ago -
‘Red flag’ law goes into effect in Maryland: Supporters say it does more than just prevent mass shootings
Maryland’s new “red flag law” has gone into effect and supporters predict that it will save lives.
3 weeks ago -
VOTER VOICES: Montgomery Co. voters sound off on Hogan, Jealous and the issues that matter to them
In the series, “Voter Voices,” WTOP asked registered voters across Maryland what issues concerned them, and who would be getting their vote in the upcoming election for governor. From the crowds checking out the parade of horses at the Frederick County Fairgrounds to the shoppers looking for the freshest fish at Lexington Market in Baltimore City, Maryland residents were asked about what matters to them as they get set to vote in the general election on Nov. 6. First stop: Montgomery County.
3 weeks ago
