Gordy Young returns to Michiana on ABC57 News

Weigel Broadcasting and ABC57 News has named longtime veteran Michiana broadcast personality Gordy Young as news anchor for
ABC57’s Saturday and Sunday morning newscasts beginning this June.

“I’m thrilled and excited to return to the television airwaves in Michiana!” Gordy Young said. “This is such an excellent news operation and a terrific opportunity for me to come back to my home away from home in South Bend!”

“I’m looking forward to working with this great award-winning news team and reconnecting with Michiana viewers this summer. I can’t wait to get started.” Young stated.

ABC57 News Director Kyle Fobe is also thrilled for Gordy's return. "Gordy Young is a broadcasting legend in Michiana and we are excited to bring his fun, energy, and experience to ABC57 News on the weekends. I can't wait for viewers to reconnect with Gordy, someone who's dominated the airwaves of Michiana TV for over two decades. Gordy will give viewers a new way to experience live interviews, weekend events, and fun things happening in your neighborhood, along with the award-winning storytelling, breaking news, and weather coverage that ABC57 News is already known and recognized for."

Gordy Young first came to South Bend in 1994 as on-air meteorologist for WNDU-TV (NBC) where he co-anchored “16 Morning News” alongside Tricia Sloma. Gordy became well-known locally for presenting his forecasts with his own humorous style and antics, including "Rodney the Rodent" who made Groundhog Day an event. Young was with the show for 16 years until 2010.

Young left to work on independent media projects, and in 2012 became the first host and co-producer of “Experience Michiana” on WNIT-PBS, South Bend. The show featured guest interviews about interesting places and events around the Michiana area.

In 2015 Young moved back to Wisconsin to work with Magnum Media, a radio network of 25 stations across the Badger State as an on-air personality. During this time, he also was the main stage announcer for 3 summers at the “Tommy Bartlett Ski, Sky and Stage Show” in Wisconsin Dells. 

Gordy Young on the set of Experience Michiana with crew members.

Gordy’s broadcast career began in "The Dells" back in 1978 as a radio DJ at WNNO-AM/FM. From there, he worked at several Madison, Wis. radio stations including Z-104 FM, 92 MAD-FM, WIBA-AM and Triple M.

In 1986, Young became the first on-air host for the Kids Club at FOX-47 in Madison. In 1991 he began working as an on-air meteorologist at WMTV-NBC 15, Madison. In 1994, he moved to South Bend, Ind. to do weather at WNDU-TV.

In 2007 and 2008 Gordy was awarded the South Bend Tribune Readers’ Choice Award for Favorite Local TV Weather Reporter. Other awards along the way included 2002 Best TV Personality by the Herald Palladium in southwest Michigan, a First Place ADDY Award in 1993 from Madison Advertising Federation, and Personality of the Year in 1994 from Madison Magazine.

When thinking about this opportunity, Gordy said, "It gives me a chance to put my whole career in perspective...it feels like icing on the cake."

Gordy Young Young, Young

By the time Gordy was in kindergarten, this future broadcaster's family moved to suburban Chicago, and he began listening to Top 40 radio stations WLS and WCFL. He decided he wanted to be a deejay, which would be another childhood dream realized.

Gordy's rock band, Quinella

Gordy and his band Quinella rock out at a Sunday morning church breakfast picnic in 1972. His band once opened for Styx!

Gordy's first radio gig

"Spinning the stacks of wax at my first radio gig WNNO-FM, Wisconsin Dells..turtleneck shirts and big Elton John glasses were all the rage in 1978. Along with a weak mustache & sideburns! - Gordy Young

John Peterson and Gordy Young

John Peterson & Gordy Young rocked the Madison, Wisconsin radio airwaves in the '80s. They also hosted a cable access show, John & Gordy's Media World, that featured live bands, phone calls and guest interviews with media celebrities.

Rodney the Rodent

Rodney the Rodent caricature drawing by Eric Walton

Experience Michiana

Gordy Young on set of Experience Michiana

Gordy and Mayor Dick Moore

Gordy interviewing Elkhart Mayor Dick Moore on Experience Michiana

Gordy and Rufus

Gordy and his former dog, Rufus, on the cover of Boom magazine.


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