MPR News Names New Chief Meteorologist

ST. PAUL, MN — MPR News has named Ben Cathey as its new chief meteorologist following the retirement of longtime meteorologist Paul Huttner.

Cathey, an award-winning meteorologist and science communicator, started in the role Monday. Listeners will hear him regularly on All Things Considered starting May 25, MPR News announced.

Cathey comes to MPR News from the University of Colorado at Boulder, where he was a Ted Scripps Fellow in Environmental Journalism. MPR News said he was the first meteorologist chosen for the program in its 30-year history.

He has meteorology certifications from the American Meteorological Society and National Weather Association, according to MPR News.

Cathey previously worked in television news at WVLT-TV in Knoxville, Tennessee, and WTVG-TV in Toledo, Ohio. His reporting has focused on climate issues including endangered wildlife, heat waves, droughts and extreme weather.

MPR News said Cathey has also reported from disaster zones involving floods, tornadoes, derechos and wildfires. Most recently, he was reporting in Tierra del Fuego for the Pulitzer Center, studying climate impacts on wildfires for a multimedia special.

"Ben's forecasting is first-rate, plus his deep commitment to climate coverage brings depth to a beat that matters so much to Minnesotans," Stephanie Curtis, programming director at MPR News, said in a statement. "We’re thrilled to have Ben on our already stellar weather team."

As chief meteorologist, Cathey will lead daily meteorology coverage at MPR News, including Climate Cast and the Updraft weather blog. He will work with meteorology team Sven Sungaard and Mandy Thalhuber.

Cathey has won four Emmy Awards and seven Edward R. Murrow awards, according to MPR News. He was also named AP’s Weather Anchor of the Year for Tennessee’s large markets in 2020.

He earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Miami in meteorology and broadcast journalism.

"The chief meteorologist job at Minnesota Public Radio is truly a dream role," Cathey said in a statement. "The legacy of MPR — at a hyperlocal and national level — is unmatched."

Cathey added that he is excited to share his interest in science, climate, "weird weather" and space with listeners across Minnesota.

"Folks are so attuned to the changing weather, for ice fishing, farming, and just knowing whether to eat on the porch or have dinner inside," Cathey said. "I’ve got big shoes to fill, and I’m thrilled to get to work."