Becca Costello, WVXU
Local Government ReporterExpertise: Local politics, housing policy
Education: Cincinnati Christian University, Indiana University, UC Clermont
Contact: bcostello@wvxu.org
Favorite Tri-State Neighborhood: Covington (just don't tell anyone at Cincinnati City Hall).
Highlights
- Reports on all things local government with a particular focus on Cincinnati
- Experienced reporter in public radio and television across the Midwest
- Winner of awards at the local, regional and national level
- Lifelong listener of Cincinnati Public Radio
Experience
Before joining the WVXU newsroom, Becca worked in public radio and TV journalism in Bloomington, Indiana, and Lincoln, Nebraska. Becca has earned numerous awards for her reporting, including from the Heartland Emmys, local chapters of the Associated Press and Society of Professional Journalists, and contributed to regional and national Murrow Award winners. She grew up in Clermont County listening to WVXU and considers public radio journalism her "dream job."
Education
Becca has a bachelor's degree from Cincinnati Christian University, where she studied Biblical studies and communications, and a master's degree in journalism from Indiana University. She also proudly studied at UC Clermont, of the University of Cincinnati's community colleges, for two years.
About WVXU
The central pillar of Cincinnati Public Radio’s local network — accounting for the lion’s share of its 211,000 listeners each week — 91.7 WVXU is among the most reliable media institutions in the Tri-State region. Our mission is to always be a trusted, independent source of journalism, music and culture, empowering a vibrant, engaged and informed community.
Why trust us
Our team of reporters and editors have decades of experience writing and reporting the news. Our first responsibility is to our listeners and readers. There is no connection between our funding and editorial decisions. When we do cover a funding partner, a disclosure will be mentioned on-air and online. We take pride in our work, editing and fact-checking every story. If an article warrants a correction, we will immediately correct it and explain the correction for complete transparency.
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The idea was prompted by a series of street takeovers in Cincinnati in March involving about a hundred vehicles. -
About $500,000 earmarked for wall stabilization and landslide correction will now go toward HVAC improvements at the police academy and roof repairs at the fleet garage. -
Three candidates are on the ballot for Hamilton County Commission in the Democratic primary, including an incumbent. -
Despite initial plans to ask voters for a income tax increase in 2026, Cincinnati's mayor now says it may not happen this year. -
The commission asked the city's Department of Planning and Engagement to conduct at least one more public meeting for resident feedback. -
The regulations do not ban data centers. Instead, permit applications for new data centers or to expand an existing data center will go through additional approvals. -
The report describes Police Chief Teresa Theetge's leadership as "rigid and authoritarian," criticizes her communication, and says she struggles to accept accountability. -
While all general fund departments have been asked to estimate a 5.1% cut to address a nearly $30 million deficit in the next city budget, that level of cuts is not likely for public safety. -
Cincinnati residents can drop off large waste items like furniture, construction debris, and tires, at nine events this year. -
Cincinnati City Council voted Wednesday to approve 12 members of a new LGBTQIA+ Commission, which will advise city officials on policies relevant to the community.
