KNOX COUNTY, Ind. (We Are Knox County) - Knox County is known for its many historical firsts, including being the home of Indiana’s first city and first college.
We Are Knox County (WAKC), is adding to that legacy by launching the county's first full-time streaming news and weather operation.
Created by Vincennes native Nathan Springfield, this new platform will deliver essential local news and weather coverage to Knox County.
Springfield initially started WAKC as a hobby in 2015 but paused the project in 2022 when he took on the role of Bureau Chief at a local news station.
After stepping away from the industry and taking some personal time off in early 2024 to address minor health issues, Springfield is ready to return to the news world and turn his hobby into a full-time career.
"Local news is essential to a community," said Springfield. "Right now, Knox County lacks immediate and consistent news and weather coverage. It's crucial to keep people informed about everything from major events to everyday happenings, so they’re always aware of what's going on in their community."
WAKC News Now has already made its mark by covering significant stories, such as being the only outlet to provide live coverage of the severe storm that produced an EF2 tornado on May 26 and reporting on the damage the following day.
Additionally, WAKC was the first to break the news about the old Decker High School fire on July 9, providing comprehensive coverage of the event and its aftermath.
Many in Knox County have supported Springfield in building the studio and relaunching WAKC.
“I’ve received several very generous donations from anonymous donors through our GoFundMe campaign, and many Facebook followers have contributed by purchasing equipment and supplies from our Amazon Wishlist,” said Springfield. “Everyone’s kindness has made a huge impact, and I’m deeply grateful for their contributions, both large and small.”
Work is progressing at the new studio, with electricity currently being installed.
Next, the space will be insulated and drywalled before the construction of the news and weather set and the installation of computers and other equipment.
While construction continues, WAKC will begin posting stories and forecasts on all social media platforms starting Tuesday, October 1.
Then, early next year, WAKC will launch a daily streaming newscast, WAKC News Now, airing weekdays at 10 a.m., along with a weekly show, Knox County Living, airing Fridays at noon to spotlight local events.
In addition to the main newscasts, WAKC will feature segments like Your Stories, Wanted Wednesday, and Fur-ever Friends.
WAKC News Now and Knox County Living will be available for streaming on WAKC’s website and will eventually expand to Roku and other streaming platforms.
Springfield is also excited to connect with locally owned businesses by offering affordable advertising and sponsorship opportunities.
“The goal is to not only partner with these businesses but also support them by providing a platform to better connect with the community,” said Springfield.
Businesses interested in advertising or sponsorship opportunities can reach out to us via email for more details.
If you’d like to support WAKC in other ways, you can make a donation on our GoFundMe page or browse our Amazon Wishlist.
To show our appreciation, all donors and those who purchase equipment will be recognized by name on a plaque displayed in our building and featured in the “About Us” section on our website.
To stay updated on what’s happening around Knox County and get a behind-the-scenes look at our progress, follow us on Facebook, X (Formerly Twitter), Instagram, YouTube, and SnapChat.
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