Mike Ahern grew up in Indianapolis. In his youthful years he used to do play-by-play phantom baseball broadcasts. His local radio favorites were disc jockey Reid “Chuckles” Chapman and Luke Walton’s play-by-play description of Indianapolis Indians games. Both were on WISH Radio, the station that added more television to the Indianapolis market by 1954 and hired Mike much later.
During his freshman year at Notre Dame, on spring break, he was back in Indianapolis and dropped off tapes of student sportscasts to several radio stations. WIRE’s Program Director Donald Bruce was impressed and offered him summer employment. That summer Ahern substituted for disc jockeys, did some rip-and-read newscasts, and tackled anything else that was available for $40 a week. That took care of summers until he graduated and was offered a full-time job. Luckily for him he was teamed up with legendary personality Wally Nehrling and that’s when his writing skills began paying off. He authored brief essays for morning newscasts that caught the attention of Eugene Pulliam, owner of the station and of the Indianapolis Star and News. Pulliam invited him to be a columnist for the Sunday Star. Eventually, Indianapolis 500 race broadcast veteran Sid Collins issued another invitation—membership on the big race’s Speedway Radio Network that was heard throughout the United States and in many other countries as well. Ahern was just one year into his broadcast career when he was contacted by Collins. He had been doing high school basketball play-by-play for WIRE, and that’s when Collins decided Mike would be a good fit for his 500 radio team. Another invitation came from Channel 8 News Director Bob Hoyt. Ahern was hired as co-anchor in 1967 and he remained an anchor until he retired in 2004.
He received the city’s highly regarded Caspar award for coverage of the 1978 blizzard that consumed sixty-seven hours of continuous weather coverage. Other Caspars were presented to him for hosting and producing a news magazine program, “30 Minutes.”
Indiana Broadcast Pioneers
Related Items
| Title | Station | Date Aired | Description | |
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CNN Iranian Revolution; WISH-TV News 8 Indiana Journalism Collection |
2000 |
Seg 1: (0:05-55:41)CNN Perspectives: Revolutionary Journey |
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News report at 11pm Ken Owen Collection |
2001-01-30 |
An Indian family from Indiana Awaits Word on Relatives in Earthquake. A Joy Dumandan 11 pm report for WISH. Interviewed are Sam Hohl and Nalin Shah. Debby Knox and Mike Ahern are the anchors. |
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We Are The Team-Indiana's Hoedown Ken Owen Collection |
1985 |
1985 - "We Are the Team" WISH Indianapolis Promo Mike Ahern (at quarterback), Debby Knox, Ed Harding, Stan Wood are featured in this spot, pulled from an old junked VHS tape. 1985 -... |
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We Are The Team Ken Owen Collection |
1985 |
As seen in Indianapolis. Athel Micka, Randy Ollis, Mike Ahern, Ed Harding and others are seen. |
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News 8 at 5:30 Ken Owen Collection |
1990 |
News segment covering Paul McCartney's concert at Market Square Arena |
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WISH-TV 6 PM News Open Ken Owen Collection |
1995-08 | ||
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WISH News Promo Ken Owen Collection |
1995-02 | ||
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Late News Dan Jansen Sullivan Award Ken Owen Collection |
1995-02-26 | ||
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Suspect Opens Up to Indianapolis Reporter Ken Owen Ken Owen Collection |
1997-04-21 | ||
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President George W. Bush Addresses UN General Assembly Ken Owen Collection |
2003-09-23 | ||
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Indianapolis News Promo Ken Owen Collection |
2002-10 | ||
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9PM Indianapolis News Update Ken Owen Collection |
2001-10-03 | ||
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News Promo Ken Owen Collection |
1995-02 |
WISH News Promo |
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Ken Owen Reports Live from Oklahoma City Ken Owen Collection |
1995-04-21 | ||
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Late News Ken Owen Collection |
1995-02-16 | ||
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Indianapolis News Promo Ken Owen Collection |
1998-04-24 | ||
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News Promo & 'People's Court' Bumper Ken Owen Collection |
1998-08-26 | ||
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6 PM Newscast Ken Owen Collection |
1995-08-21 | ||
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5PM Newscast Ken Owen Collection |
1994-07-21 | ||
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5PM Newscast Ken Owen Collection |
1995-08-21 | ||
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Indiana University Prepares to Introduce New Head Hoops Coach Mike Davis Ken Owen Collection |
2000-09-12 | ||
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Bob Knight Fires Back After Being Fired Ken Owen Collection |
2000-09-12 | ||
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Beginning of WISH Late News Ken Owen Collection |
1995-02-27 | ||
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News Open Ken Owen Collection |
2001-05 | ||
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Start of 11PM Indianapolis News; Michael Jackson in the City Ken Owen Collection |
2003-05-12 | ||
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Special Report, 'Indiana Firepower,' Part Two Ken Owen Collection |
2001-05-21 | ||
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News Promo Ken Owen Collection |
2001-05-11 | ||
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Angela Buchman Weather Bumper; Mike Ahern & Debby Knox News Promo Ken Owen Collection |
2002-03 | ||
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News Promo Ken Owen Collection |
2004-03-04 | ||
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News (promo) Ken Owen Collection |
2001-03-20 |
Promo for 5PM Indianapolis News |
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11PM Indianapolis News Promo Ken Owen Collection |
2003-03-11 | ||
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Indianapolis 'Daybreak' Promo Ken Owen Collection |
2001-03-27 | ||
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5 PM Indianapolis News Promo with Mike Ahern Ken Owen Collection |
2001-03-27 | ||
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WISH Wins Associated Press Awards; Mike Ahern inducted to Hall of Fame Ken Owen Collection |
2005-04-02 | ||
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Indy News (promo) Ken Owen Collection |
2000-08-05 |
Promo for Indy News Anchors Mike Ahern and Debby Knox |
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Mike Ahern Digs Into 'Mike's Mailbag' Ken Owen Collection |
2004-04-29 | ||
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Station Debuts 90-Minute Evening News Block Ken Owen Collection |
1989-09-11 | ||
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6PM Newscast Ken Owen Collection |
2004-04-29 | ||
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News Open Ken Owen Collection |
1989-09-11 |
Indianapolis 6PM News Open |
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Indianapolis 6 PM Newscast Ken Owen Collection |
1988-11-01 | ||
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5:30PM Newscast (Joined in Progress, With Ads) Ken Owen Collection |
1989-09-12 | ||
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Hurricane Hugo Leads 6 PM News Ken Owen Collection |
1989-09-18 | ||
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11PM Headlines Ken Owen Collection |
1991-04-19 |
Mike Ahern, Debby Knox and Lisa Tutman are seen. This is all that remained on a VHS tape. (Ken Owen) Contains a promotion for The Staggers Instant Check over the Brady Bill regarding gun... |
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Televote (promo) Ken Owen Collection |
1988-07-24 |
Mike Ahern, Debby Knox, Eric Halvorson and Patty Spitler are seen in this Indianapolis spot. (Ken Owen) |
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Mike Ahern Previews WISH 11PM News Ken Owen Collection |
1991-04-19 |
Seen during 'True Detectives' in prime time. (Ken Owen) True Detectives here refers to a short-lived reality TV series that lasted 1 season from 1990-1991. |
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Mike Ahern Previews 6 pm Newscast Ken Owen Collection |
1990-04-17 |
A vintage clip from Indianapolis TV. Also seen are Ken Owen, Debby Knox, Athel Micka and Ray Rice. (Ken Owen) |
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Indianapolis 10PM News Update Ken Owen Collection |
1991-04-19 |
Pacers top the Knicks. Seen following 'Dallas'. (Ken Owen) |
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10PM Indianapolis News Update Ken Owen Collection |
1991-04-12 |
Seen following 'Dallas'. (Ken Owen) A 30 second news bulletin covering politics, crime, and sports. |
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Ken Owen Reports from Oklahoma City Ken Owen Collection |
1995-04-20 |
WISH (Indianapolis) anchor-reporter Ken Owen filed these reports from the street outside the Murrah Federal Building. They aired at 5, 6 and 11 p.m. Mike Ahern and Debby Knox are the anchors.... |
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Pan Am Games News Team Bumper & Promo for The International Ken Owen Collection |
1987-08-08 |
Stan Wood, Ed Harding, Mike Ahern and Debby Knox are seen. From Indianapolis. (Ken Owen) |
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Patty Spitler Previews the Grammy Awards, Interview with Vanessa Williams Ken Owen Collection |
1989-02-22 |
This aired during the 5:30 p.m. news in Indianapolis. Mike Ahern and Debby Knox are the anchors. (Ken Owen) |
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NEWS Promo for WISH News on WHMB Ken Owen Collection |
1992 |
A promo for a news-coverage collaboration between WISH-TV and WHMB. |
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Local News Report on Passing of Japan's Emperor Hirohito Ken Owen Collection |
1989-02-22 |
This aired during the 6 p.m. news. The report is by Eric Halvorson; Mike Ahern is the anchor. (Ken Owen) |
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Newscast with Mike Ahern & Debby Knox Ken Owen Collection |
1986-02-21 |
Joined in progress during a report on Ryan White. The show ends abruptly as the recording shuts off. From an old VHS tape. (Ken Owen) |
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Indianapolis Mayor William Hudnut at Opening Ceremonies for 10th Pan American Games Ken Owen Collection |
1987-08-08 |
From coverage of the event from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The PA announcer is Mike Ahern. |
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Mayor Bill Hudnut Opts Not to Seek Indiana University Presidency Ken Owen Collection |
1987-02-12 |
Lead story that evening on Indianapolis TV news -- a report is followed by a live interview by Mike Ahern and Debby Knox. (Ken Owen) |
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Newscast Ken Owen Collection |
1989-02-22 |
Indianapolis 6PM Newscast; Mike Ahern and Debby Knox anchor, Stan Wood has the weather, Jim Barbar is the sports guy. The lead story is on the state legislature considering casinos for Gary,... |
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5:30PM Newscast Ken Owen Collection |
1989-02-22 |
Mike Ahern and Debby Knox are the anchors and Stan Wood has weather. (Ken Owen) |
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5PM Newscast (Incomplete) Ken Owen Collection |
1987-02-12 |
Mike Ahern and Debby Knox are the anchors, Ed Harding has sports, and Stan Wood delivers the weather. The top story is on an announcement by Indianapolis Mayor William Hudnut that he will not... |
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Sports Report Ken Owen Collection |
1984-12-31 |
The other anchors are Mike Ahern and Kim Sanders. (Ken Owen) |
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Promo New 5:30 p.m. Newscast Debuts Ken Owen Collection |
1989 |
A :30 spot promoting a new 5:30 p.m. newscast featuring Ken Owen and Patty Spitler from September 1989. Mike Ahern, Debby Knox, Fred Kalil, Stan Wood and Lis Daily are among the others who... |
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WISH-TV Bloopers in Edited Form Ken Owen Collection |
197X |
Mike Ahern, Stan Wood, Jane Pauley, Chet Coppock and many others are here. From the archives of Dave Smith. (Ken Owen) |
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Early Newscast (Joined in Progress) Ken Owen Collection |
1987-08-04 |
Mike Ahern, Patty Spitler, Stan Wood and Ed Harding are the anchors. From the personal archives of Dick Rea. (Ken Owen) |
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Indianapolis Colts Update Ken Owen Collection |
1987-08-04 |
From Indy. (Ken Owen) |
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WISH-TV Bloopers Ken Owen Collection |
197x |
WISHT-TV Bloopers; poor quality recording with intermittent sound issues |
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Indiana's Own for 30 Years Ken Owen Collection |
1984 |
30th Anniversary Special of WISH-TV. The 30th anniversary Special begins at 0:01:56 and ends at 1:00:50 (see segment titled "Indiana's Own for 30 Years"; following the special is sports and... |
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Indianapolis 6PM Newscast Ken Owen Collection |
1987-12-11 |
Mike Ahern and Tina Cosby are the anchors with Stan Wood weather and Ed Harding sports. (Ken Owen) |
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Indianapolis Sportscast Ken Owen Collection |
1987-12-01 |
Mike Ahern and Debby Knox are the anchors. (Ken Owen) |
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Indianapolis News Anchors Mike Ahern and Debby Knox Promo Ken Owen Collection |
1982-04-11 |
Indianapolis News Anchors Mike Ahern and Debby Knox Promo, WISH, aired on April 11, 1982 |
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WISH-TV Promo, New 5:30 p.m. Newscast Debuts Ken Owen Collection |
1989 |
A :30 spot promoting a new 5:30 p.m. newscast featuring Ken Owen and Patty Spitler from September 1989. Mike Ahern, Debby Knox, Fred Kalil, Stan Wood and Lis Daily are among the others who... |
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Indianapolis 20th Anniversary Special Ken Owen Collection |
1974-06-30 |
Mike Ahern hosts the show, which is from the archive of Dave Smith. Classic footage is seen. (Ken Owen) |
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Indianapolis Bloopers Ken Owen Collection |
1970/1979 |
intermittent audio issues; |
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Mike Ahern Indianapolis Bloopers Ken Owen Collection |
197x |
The classic Indy anchor gets a few cases of the giggles. This tape was in rough shape. (Ken Owen) |
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Ken Owen (DePauw '82) Audition Tape Ken Owen Collection |
1998 |
Channel 8 headline news and other clips of Ken Owen |
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24 Hours News Ken Owen Collection |
199x |
24 Hour News 8 |
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Mike Ahern's Hall of Fame Video Bio Indiana Broadcast Pioneers Collection |
2005 |
Video bio of Mike Ahern, inducted to Indiana Broadcast Pioneers Hall of Fame in 2005; Mike Ahern grew up in Indianapolis, where he listened to disc jockeys on WISH-AM, the station that... |
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Mike Ahern on Howard Caldwell Howard Caldwell Collection |
unknown/unknown |
Mike Ahern giving a short biography of Howard Caldwell Mike Ahern on Howard Caldwell Audio (1:47) Notes by Jessica VanAllen Synopsis: Here, Mike Ahern is talking... |
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Looking Back on Mike Ahern Howard Caldwell Collection |
2004 |
Looking Back on Mike Ahern (Ch. 8, H. Caldwell and Lugar speak). Channel 8 Television News. WISH-TV News Video (5:06) Notes by Jessica... |
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Indy in the 50s Howard Caldwell Collection |
1995 |
Historical documentary about living in Indianapolis, Indiana in the 1950s Written and Produced by Dave Stoelk; |
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Indiana Journalism Hall of Fame Banquet and Last Broadcast Howard Caldwell Collection |
1991 |
Indiana Journalism Hall of Fame Banquet; Howard Caldwell's last news broadcast before his retirement; Howard Caldwell's Retirement Special: 35 years of making a difference Indiana... |
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Howard Caldwell Retirement Special: 35 Years of Making a Difference Howard Caldwell Collection |
1994 |
Howard Caldwell's 1994 Retirement Special, celebrating 35 years with Channel 6. |
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