The year 2020 has been a rough one in a lot of ways, and that’s been reflected in the news – but here in Chapel Hill, there’s one brand new news outlet that’s guaranteed to warm your heart.

John Wortman is seven years old, he’s a rising second grader at Ephesus Elementary, and he’s been hosting his own local newscast, “John News,” all summer long.

His father Thomas says John got the idea shortly after the schools closed in the spring. They’ve been producing new shows ever since, covering all the top stories of the day – and gaining viewers from all over the country and as far away as Canada.

The “John News” show includes special features like a cooking segment – but the show also makes time for in-depth coverage of serious issues and some pretty hard-hitting interviews. John has interviewed psychotherapists and doctors, as well as Chapel Hill Mayor Pam Hemminger – among many others.

You can find “John News” on the YouTube channel of John’s father, Thomas Wortman. They’re also selling t-shirts, with half of the proceeds going to benefit TABLE, a local non-profit to provide hunger relief in Orange County.

Photo via Thomas Wortman.

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