5-1-26- Mike Ahern INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Mike Ahern, a longtime WISH-TV anchor, was honored in a reunion-style conversation that reflected on his career, colleagues, and lasting influence on local journalism. Ahern, who retired in 2004 after decades at the station, revisited memories from his time at WISH-TV, including coverage of major weather events, political stories, and overnight breaking news that often kept crews working through long hours. He recalled the intensity and teamwork of early newsroom life during major events such as severe winter storms and high-profile national coverage. In retirement, Ahern has dealt with significant health challenges, including a stroke and a broken hip, which have limited his public appearances in recent years. He also noted a false online obituary that appeared after a Google search, underscoring concerns about inaccurate information circulating online. “It said, long-time Indianapolis Wish TV News anchor Mike Ahearn passed away on September 24th, 2023. Who wrote that? Artificial intelligence,” Ahern said. Despite the error, he said he appreciated the support he received. Health setbacks after retirement contributed to his withdrawal from public life, including the stroke and broken hip. Ahern reflected on his career, saying he missed both the work and the people in television news. “Oh sure, of course,” he said. “ I miss the big story. And I miss the people.” He also fondly recalled his longtime on-air partnership with colleague Debby Knox. Known for his calm on-air presence, Ahern said that composure was part of his professional approach. “That’s just you. I fake that. I fake my look, I guess, what do they call it, your brand,” he said. His career included coverage of major events such as the 1978 Blizzard, when he broadcast through the night at his news director’s direction, and the 1985 Reagan inauguration, which was moved indoors due to extreme cold. Before joining television, Ahern worked in radio at WIRE Radio in Indianapolis, where he recalled an early broadcast error involving mismatched audio tapes. Looking back on his career, Ahern said, “I was the luckiest man on Earth.” ...read more read less