Under New Leadership: CEO Donna Kavanagh Steers Hoosier Enquirer Forward After Loss of Bobby Kern

Indianapolis, IN — In the months since the sudden passing of beloved CEO and co-founder Bobby Kern on April 3, 2026, Hoosier Enquirer has continued its mission of independent, fearless journalism under the steady hand of Donna Kavanagh. Kern, 62, died from a major stroke at IU Methodist Hospital, leaving behind a legacy as the heart of the organization’s push for accountability and truth in Indiana media. Kavanagh, who had served as Vice President—the first woman in that role—stepped up as interim leader and was confirmed as CEO, becoming the first woman to hold the top position.

Kavanagh, a Michigan City native and veteran broadcaster, brought decades of experience in television, radio, theater, and public media when she joined Hoosier Enquirer in January 2026 after her tenure at WNIT Public Television. She previously hosted the long-running community program What Gives? and the radio show Kavanagh Live, with earlier credits including appearances on classic series like Fantasy Island and The Love Boat, as well as films such as Airport ’75. Her deep Indiana roots and focus on authentic storytelling aligned perfectly with the nonprofit’s 501(c)(3) mission to deliver fair, balanced coverage of stories often overlooked by legacy outlets.

From the outset, Kavanagh emphasized carrying forward Kern’s vision of shining a light on government waste, fraud, abuse, and misconduct while expanding the organization’s reach. Under her leadership, Hoosier Enquirer has launched new programming, including The Kavanagh Show hosted by the CEO herself and Sundays with Pastor Sims (featuring South Bend pastor Mario Sims). These shows stream live on the website and are available on-demand via major platforms such as Spotify, iHeartRadio, Apple Music, and Amazon Music.

Expansion has been a hallmark of the period. In July 2026, the organization opened a new office in South Bend to intensify investigative work in northern Indiana, including deeper APRA/FOIA requests, scrutiny of government contracting, law enforcement transparency, and local scandals such as those involving prosecutors and jails. Additional growth announcements have pointed to broader statewide presence, with plans for offices supporting coverage in areas including Fort Wayne, Bloomington, and Fishers, alongside continued work in Indianapolis. The outlet has also extended distribution of select articles to platforms like yourNEWS and Ghost to reach wider audiences while retaining full editorial control.

Plans for a “Bob Kern Center”—a proposed redevelopment of a former professional building into a mixed-use media headquarters, newsroom, radio studio, public lobby, affordable housing, and co-working space—reflect ongoing efforts to honor Kern’s memory through community impact. More recently, the organization announced a planned primary headquarters move to Fishers in 2027, citing downtown Indianapolis safety concerns and the wheel tax burden on nonprofits, while retaining the current location for storage.

Board enhancements, such as the addition of former Michigan City Common Council member and broadcaster David J. Biela as a member at large, have further strengthened governance as the team scales.

Since April, Hoosier Enquirer has maintained its focus on hard-hitting local accountability. Coverage has included investigations into judicial and prosecutorial issues, jail and informant practices in counties such as St. Joseph and Delaware, Marion County politics and election-related matters (including the impact of Kern’s posthumous votes in the Democratic primary for Clerk), government ethics concerns, and other stories of waste or misconduct that mainstream outlets have under-covered. The organization has reiterated its commitment to reporting without fear or favor, filing complaints and obtaining public records as needed, and addressing issues such as potential conflicts involving prediction markets.

Kern’s influence continues to be felt. Even after his passing, his name remained on the Marion County Clerk ballot, drawing thousands of votes that influenced the tight Democratic primary outcome. The organization has publicly carried his legacy of challenging establishment narratives and prioritizing transparency for everyday Hoosiers.

Hoosier Enquirer remains an independent nonprofit dedicated to fair, accurate reporting on politics, justice, government accountability, and community issues across the Hoosier State. As Kavanagh has made clear, the outlet exists to highlight stories others ignore. With expanded footprint, new programming, and continued growth since 2023, the team is positioned to compete more effectively with legacy media while honoring the founding vision shared by Kern and others.

Supporters can follow developments at hoosierenquirer.com and on the organization’s channels. Donations help sustain the watchdog work. In Bobby Kern’s honor and under Donna Kavanagh’s leadership, the mission continues: real news for Hoosiers, by Hoosiers.