Veteran Indy Broadcaster Stepping Down
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowA longtime television broadcaster in Indianapolis has announced he is leaving. On his Facebook page, Bruce Kopp says he is moving on from WTHR-TV after 34 years in order to "pursue other promising career opportunities." Kopp joined WTHR in 1983 as a business reporter and, since 1990, has anchored the Eyewitness News "Sunrise" program and co-anchored "Eyewitness News at Noon" from 1990 until 2005. Kopp says "changes are underway" regarding his future and that he is "extremely excited about the opportunities ahead." He began his broadcast career at several radio stations in suburban Chicago before attending Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. While at SIU, Kopp worked as an evening news anchor, reporter, sports director and news director at WSIU-TV. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Radio-Television. Kopp then moved to Evansville, where he co-anchored the weekday evening newscasts on WEHT-TV. He then moved on to become the weekend evening anchor at WOOD-TV in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Kopp has received many honors over the years, including first place awards for outstanding coverage of spot news, general news, features and investigative reporting. The Society of Professional Journalists and the Associated Press have honored him with eight awards. "Indianapolis Monthly Magazine" Readers’ Choice Awards named him "Best Early Morning Anchor" four times over a five-year period.
You can read his full statement below:
"It’s been a great ride stretching nearly 34 years for me here at Channel 13, but it’s time to wrap things up.
Over the past 27 years on the morning news, it’s been a demanding schedule of waking up in the wee hours. But being part of a fantastic team that worked together for our viewers was the most gratifying. In many ways, it was a labor of love, and I’m fortunate to have worked with those who made it possible, and thankful for those of you who watched and sent us your best wishes.
I’d especially like to thank the hundreds of you who emailed encouragement over the past year.
I’m grateful to the station’s owners, the Wolfe family, for allowing me to be part of an incredibly accomplished news operation and television station. I’m proud to have been part of an extraordinary and unprecedented run of success for our morning news, and thankful to our viewers who made us the dominant #1 news program for many years.
I wouldn’t have been able to do it without the support and understanding of my wonderful wife and talented sons who I will now get to share breakfast with more often!
I will greatly miss my extremely talented and accomplished colleagues here and wish them well.
Over the decades, I’ve had the opportunity to interview hundreds of people: presidents, vice-presidents, members of congress, governors, mayors and a wide range of civic leaders. But the most powerful and lasting impressions for me will be the interviews with community members fighting against injustice, dealing with personal and professional setback, and those undaunted by governmental or occupational obstacles in standing up for what is right. There are the countless stories of dedicated citizens working relentlessly to improve the lives of others. It’s been all at once humbling, inspiring and a privilege to see how so many are dedicated and fearless in making a difference.
As for me, changes are underway that have led me to pursue other promising career opportunities in the Indianapolis area, so I hope to re-connect with many of you soon. With so many established and blossoming local ventures underway, I am extremely excited about the opportunities ahead.
Again, it’s been a great ride and I’m gratified to do what I always dreamed of doing.
Thanks again for all your support and good wishes!"