DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) – WAND News anchor Jacob Gordon will move to weekday mornings starting Oct. 19.
Gordon has been the weekend evening anchor for WAND News since 2023.
He will join Coles County native Lacey Spence at the anchor desk on Wake Up. Meteorologist Nick Patrick, a Taylorville native, will continue to provide bus stop forecasts in the mornings and track severe weather. WAND News weekend morning anchor Caroline Reese will also contribute several days a week.
“Jacob is a veteran, award-winning journalist that we are thrilled to have join our morning team,” said WAND News Director Rod Hissong. “Jacob is an instrumental leader in the WAND newsroom and cares deeply about his community and neighbors. Central Illinois is home for Jacob and we know his infectious, positive attitude is something viewers will enjoy.”
Wake Up airs on WAND and streams live on WAND Now from 5 a.m. to 7 a.m. The group will also appear on WAND Now’s Sunrise and Sips — a streaming-only show airing weekdays at 7 a.m.
Before WAND News, Gordon worked at WSIL-TV in Southern Illinois. He’s a graduate of SIU-Carbondale.
“I’m really excited to start my mornings with the Wake Up team,” said Gordon. “Being from Douglas County, I am honored for the opportunity to step into the weekday anchor chair. I’m looking forward to helping our viewers start their mornings, sharing the stories that matter to them and continuing to be part of the community I call home.”
WAND reporter La’Miya Starnes will replace Gordon on the weekend evening anchor desk. Starnes is a Nashville native and graduate of the University of Kentucky. Since joining WAND News in 2025, she has primarily reported for WAND News @ 10. She has covered a range of issues across Central Illinois including the debate over data centers, school board and city council meetings, and educational programs within IDOC prisons.
WAND and CapitolCityNow’s Newstalk 93.9 and AM 1240 WTAX are longtime news partners.
