New co-anchor Kim Chappell joining ABC 57 News

Weigel Broadcasting Co. announces the hire of Kim Chappell to the ABC 57 News team; she will begin in early October. Kim and current anchor Brian Dorman will lead the weeknight evening news broadcasts at 5 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. They will also co-anchor ABC 57 News at 10 p.m. on The CW 25.



“I'm thrilled to join ABC 57 news and be a part of the team that's bringing viewers more local content than any other station in the market,” said Kim. “My husband and I are also excited to call South Bend home. I’m look forward to becoming a part of the community, working with Brian and the rest of the newsroom staff and of course, cheering on the Irish!”



Aaron Ramey, News Director for ABC 57 News said, “Kim is a dynamic personality. Our community will find her genuine, engaging and approachable, whether they watch her on TV or meet her in the grocery store. Kim has spent her career digging up stories that impact the communities where people live. She has a passion for one-on-one interaction with the folks who are affected by the news. I think that shows in her compassionate approach to story-telling. Kim’s a dedicated reporter. In addition to her anchoring duties, Kim has a strong desire to hit the streets of Michiana and chronicle life here.”



Kim comes to South Bend from WTVF in Nashville where she reported and anchored using her maiden name, Gebbia. She previously worked for WXII in Winston Salem, North Carolina and WECT in Wilmington, North Carolina. She’s earned 10 Associated Press and RTDNA awards, four Emmy nominations and this year, was awarded the Edward R. Murrow Regional Award for Best Feature Reporting and two Tennessee Associated Press Awards.



Kim is an Atlanta, Georgia native and graduated from the University of Georgia. She also studied abroad at the University of Innsbruck in Austria and the University of Edinburgh in Scotland.



Kim’s co-anchor Brian Dorman joined the station in January 2011 prior to the launch of ABC 57 News. He served as the weekend anchor/reporter, covering a bullying controversy within a local school district, Spring 2012 Severe Weather and its impact on our community.



"I'm thrilled to work alongside Kim Chappell,” said Brian Dorman. “The two of us feel very comfortable together. Our viewers will see that Kim and I are excited to report stories about the community, for the people who live here. That’s what makes ABC 57 News different.”



“Brian’s top skill is that he’s a tremendous communicator. Viewers admire that he’s approachable and personable. I think Brian’s confidence on the anchor desk is the result of doing his own homework about the stories we’re covering,” said Ramey. “I’ve always thought that the best anchors are the best reporters first. Brian and Kim have built careers as straightforward, credible reporters. Those experiences will continue whether they’re telling stories in the field or behind the anchor desk. They both believe in our mission to cover our communities in a more active way; a better way.”



ABC 57 News produces local newscasts weekdays from 5 a.m. until 7 a.m., weekdays from 5 p.m. until 6:30 p.m., weeknights and weekends at 10 p.m. on The CW 25 and 11 p.m. on ABC 57. Additionally, ABC 57 News produces Saturday newscasts at 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. and Sunday newscasts at 6:30 p.m.



ABC 57 can be found on 57.1, AT&T U-verse 57, AT&T U-verse HD 1057, XFINITY 7, XFINITY HD 187, DirecTV HD 57 and Dish Network 57.



About Weigel Broadcasting Co.

Weigel Broadcasting Co. and affiliate companies own and operate The U/WCIU-TV 26.1, The U Too/ WCIU-TV 26.2, Me-TV/WCIU-TV 26.3, Me-Too/WCIU-TV 26.4, THIS/ WCIU-TV 26.5, WWME-CA 23, WMEU-CA 48 in Chicago, IL; CBS/WDJT-TV 58.1, WMLW/WDJT-TV 58.2, THIS/WDJT-TV 58.3, Shorewest TV/WDJT-TV 58.4, WMLW-CA 41, WMLW-LD 41.1, Me-TV/WBME-TV 49.1, Telemundo/WBME-TV 49.4, Telemundo/WYTU-LD 63.1, Me-TV/WYTU-LP 63 in Milwaukee, WI; and ABC/WBND-LD 57.1, Me-TV/WBND-LD 57.2, CW/WCWW-TV 25.1, THIS/WCWW-TV 25.2, My Michiana/WMYS-TV 69.1 in South Bend, IN. Weigel Broadcasting Co. also owns and operates the Me-TV, Memorable Entertainment Television network and in collaboration with MGM, created and operates THIStv Network.