New co-anchor joins Ron Steele for evening newscasts

For Immediate Release: 10 April 2017
Contact: Shane Moreland, News Director, Phone: 319-291-1200

Abby Turpin will join Ron Steele in June as co-anchor of KWWL News at Five, Six and Ten.

Turpin, a native from Grove City, Ohio, was most recently the main anchor at RFD-TV, a nationwide agricultural cable network for two years. Prior to RFD, Turpin has anchored and produced for multiple stations across the country, including KOLN in Lincoln, Nebraska and WNWO in Toledo, Ohio.

Abby's career includes being a part of news team that received a Heartland Emmy nomination in 2015 for a newscast she produced and co-anchored on the coverage of the devastating 2014 tornado in Beaver Crossing, Nebraska. Also in 2015, her work anchoring daily at RFD-TV was recognized in part with the 2015 Cablefax Program Award in the news category for "Best Show or Series."

"My husband and I are both from the Midwest.  It means a lot to us to be able to raise our daughter with a similar upbringing in Iowa," said Turpin. "KWWL has an outstanding reputation in the news business.  I am humbled and honored that my career has led me here."

Community involvement is also important to Turpin. Throughout her career she has served as spokeswoman or been involved with numerous local chapters of organizations such as the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Adopt America, the Muscular Dystrophy Association, the Alzheimer's Association, and the American Heart Association. As an animal advocate, Abby served as emcee for the Capital Humane Society's 2014 Gala and Fundraiser.

“It’s not an easy position to fill,” said Shane Moreland, KWWL News Director. “Abby has what we need for a lead anchor. Her professionalism and dedication is top notch.”

“She’s an excellent fit for our viewers,” said Jim McKernan, V.P. and General Manager at KWWL. “A solid journalistic background and an expertise in the Ag field, which matters significantly to so many in our viewing area.”

Abby is married to Travis Turpin, a well-renowned cruise ship entertainer. They welcomed their daughter Reece into the world in September 2016.

In her free time, Turpin enjoys collecting antiques, college football, and trying new foods, and of course, spending time with her husband and daughter.

###

Quincy Media, Inc. is a privately held family owned company with roots in the newspaper business dating back to 1835.  QMI was formed in 1926 with the merger of The Quincy Herald and The Quincy Whig-Journal.

The company owns and/or operates NBC affiliates in Quincy, Peoria and Rockford Illinois, Waterloo and Sioux City, Iowa, Rochester and Duluth, Minnesota, Ft. Wayne, IN and Bluefield, West Virginia. QMI also operates ABC affiliates in Ft. Wayne, IN, Madison, La Crosse, Eau Claire, Wausau, and Eagle River, Wisconsin. CBS affiliates in Binghamton, NY and Duluth, MN. FOX affiliates in Rochester, MN and South Bend, Indiana. CW affiliates in Duluth and Rochester, MN, Sioux City, IA, Wausau, La Crosse and Eau Claire, WI, Quincy and Rockford, IL, Ft. Wayne, IN, Binghamton, NY, and in Waterloo, IA starting in Fall of 2016. QMI also owns and operates an AM-FM radio combination in Quincy and daily/Sunday newspapers in Quincy, Illinois and Newton, New Jersey.