Veteran Broadcaster Donna Kavanagh Finds New Home at Hoosier Enquirer

MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. — A familiar voice and face in Northern Indiana media is beginning a new chapter. Donna Kavanagh, the Michigan City native whose career has spanned from local summer theater to iconic Hollywood television sets, is officially joining the Hoosier Enquirer streaming services.

The move marks a significant transition for Kavanagh, coming as her long-standing television home, WNIT Public Television, prepares to end her program next week. The station has been navigating a difficult financial landscape following substantial federal and state funding cuts that have impacted public broadcasting across Indiana.

A Career Rooted in the Region

Kavanagh’s deep ties to the local arts community began in earnest as a member of the 1970 Canterbury Summer Theatre Resident Company. Her early performances in Michigan City served as a springboard for a successful career in Hollywood, where she secured roles on legendary television series including:

• Fantasy Island

• The Love Boat

Her film credits are equally notable, featuring appearances in the disaster classic "Airport ’75" and the Clint Eastwood comedy "Every Which Way But Loose."

Transition from WNIT to Digital Streaming

In recent years, Kavanagh has been a staple of Indiana public media. She has balanced her time between the airwaves of Radio Harbor Country, where she hosts "Kavanagh Live," and the television screen as host of "What Gives" on WNIT.

The announcement of her move to the Hoosier Enquirer provides a new platform for her storytelling as WNIT scales back local productions. Despite a recent bridge grant aimed at stabilizing the station, the loss of nearly one-third of its budget has led to a reshuffling of its program lineup.

"Local stations like WNIT have dug deep and worked very hard to adjust budgets," noted station representatives during the recent funding crisis.

Kavanagh's final episode of "What Gives" on WNIT is scheduled to air next week. Fans can look forward to her bringing the same community-focused energy to her new role in the streaming space.