Joe Crain - Morning and Midday Meteorologist

Joe helps you plan for the day at work and school with the Storm Team 20 forecast every weekday from 5:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. during "Sunrise This Morning". Joe also keeps you updated on the latest weather with local updates during "Good Morning America" and has a complete look at your forecast during "ABC NewsChannel 20 Midday" at 11:00 a.m. weekdays.

At the young age of 12, Joe got an early start to his career with school and community announcements on his hometown radio station in Cairo, Illinois. Joe has held a variety of on-air, programming and management positions with radio stations in St. Louis, Duluth, Green Bay, Sioux City, Omaha, Peoria and Springfield. Joe joined the ABC NewsChannel 20 family in the summer of 2004 as a weekend weather anchor. He was named the morning and midday weather anchor in March 2008.

Joe is a graduate of Mississippi State University's Broadcast Meteorology Certification program and holds a B.A. in Radio-Television Sales and Management with a minor in Journalism from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale.

Joe is a professional member of both the National Weather Association and the American Meteorological Society. Additionally, Joe has been honored by his peers with numerous awards such as the "Silver Dome" from the Illinois Broadcasters Association and multiple nominations for the national "Gavin Award" that showcases excellence in radio programming.

Joe has been recognized for his community involvement with a number of organizations such as the American Diabetes Association, Land of Lincoln Goodwill, Central Illinois Community Blood Center, Camp CoCo, Central Illinois Down Syndrome Society and Salvation Army. As a member of Storm Team 20, Joe enjoys speaking each year to dozens of school and civic groups about weather and severe weather safety.

Joe, along with his wife Ann and children, Megan and Thomas, reside in Springfield. He's a model railroader and train collector. Joe's an avid fan of the St. Louis Cardinals, Fighting Illini and SIU Salukis. And, by his own account, Joe is a "below average" golfer.

Joe's always glad to hear from you and is eager to answer your weather related questions.

Kelly Curran - Meteorologist

Kelly Curran joined WICS in November of 2009 as a meteorologist and reporter.

She was born in the Chicago area (on Groundhog's Day) and attended the Illinois State Fair with her family each year to race standard breds. While at the fair, she was even photographed for an area paper at the age of 2. Kelly and her family then moved to the Detroit suburbs,where she grew up. She graduated from Central Michigan University with a major in meteorology and minors in math and geography.

After college, Kelly went to work in Erie, Pennsylvania. Not only was Kelly the weekend meteorologist and a reporter for the local Erie market, but she did weather broadcasts for the entire Caribbean, and filled in for a Southern California station as well. Kelly has covered everything from lake effect snow storms to Santa Ana Winds to hurricanes, and all in the same day!Kelly then went on to work as a meteorologist and reporter in Madison, WI.

Kelly enjoys reading, cooking and spending time by, or in, the water. As a former lifeguard and swim teacher, Kelly loves to swim. She is also a big fan of hockey and horse racing.

Gus Gordon - Chief Meteorologist

Gus has been the chief meteorologist at ABC NewsChannel 20 since February of 1990. During that time, he has made countless appearances at local schools, churches, civic clubs, retirement homes and professional organizations across Central Illinois.

He began his broadcasting career in 1985 as a member of the PM Magazine production team at WKRC-TV in Cincinnati. After graduating from the University of Cincinnati in 1987, he moved west to Kearney, Nebraska to become a television weathercaster. A year later, he was back in Cincinnati as a weather anchor. He made the switch to Central Illinois in February of 1990, and has been the chief meteorologist at WICS ever since.

Gus is a graduate of the Mississippi State University Broadcast Meteorology Program and has earned the Seal of Approval from both the National Weather Association and the American Meteorological Society. Gus received the 2006 Silver Dome Award for Best TV Weathercast (medium market) from the Illinois Broadcasters Association.

In addition to his interest in weather, Gus enjoys performing on stage. He has appeared at the Springfield Muni Opera, the Springfield Theatre Center, Lincoln's New Salem, Lincoln Land Community College, The Little Theatre on the Square, he Jacksonville Symphony and the Hoogland Center for the Arts.Gus and his wife Claire have two children.

Andrew Hansen - Reporter

Andrew Hansen brings a background rooted in Illinois to Springfield. Andrew hails from Joliet and went to college at Valparaiso University. There, he majored in Television/Radio and minored in business.

Following college, Andrew landed at a television station in Quincy, where he worked as a Bureau Reporter in Macomb and as a fill-in sports anchor. After covering West Central Illinois, he is excited to bring his skills to the capital city. He says his favorite thing about reporting is meeting people in the community and telling their stories.

In his spare time, Andrew enjoys biking, playing euchre, and especially hitting the golf course.

Feel free to email him with any story ideas.

Katie Heinz - Reporter

Katie joined the ABC Newschannel 20 team in February, 2008. With a particular interest in political reporting, Katie is thrilled to cover Springfield's "city beat" for WICS. She brings experience reporting on government at the local, state and federal levels to the job.
Originally from Palatine, Katie earned her bachelor's degree in journalism with a minor in political science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She also holds a master's degree from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University. She's excited to be living and working in Central Illinois after reporting for more than a year in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.
When she's not working, Katie enjoys running, spending time with family and friends, cheering on the Illini and exploring all that Central Illinois has to offer. She's also a volunteer with Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Capital Region.

Feel free to e-mail her with story ideas or suggestions.

Heather Hubbs - Reporter

You'll often find reporter Heather Hubbs at school. She devotes much ofher time reporting on education issues and stories in Central Illinois.From the controversial Virden Girard school merger, to the growingnumber of homeless students in district 186, Heather travels across thearea to tell the stories that impact schools.

Heather comes from a long line of teachers including her mother andgrandmother. Born in St. Louis and raised in southeast Iowa, Heather isa graduate of Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. She arrived at ABC Newschannel 20 in 2008 from KTVO in Kirksville, Missouri, where she was the Weekend Anchor/Producer/Reporter covering news in northeastMissouri and southeast Iowa.

When Heather is not working she enjoys going to the theater, cooking,and spending time with family and friends across the tri-state area.

Feel free to email her with any story ideas.

Zach Kerker - Sports Anchor / Reporter

Zach Kerker returned to WICS in November, 2008 for his second stint with ABC NewsChannel 20. Zach spent a year with WICS as a photographer before moving to Grand Junction, Colorado in late 2007 to work as a sports anchor and reporter for KKCO NBC 11 News. A graduate of SIU Edwardsville, Zach also worked as the sports director for WSIE-FM covering St. Louis sports, while attending college.

Zach has had the privilege of interviewing sports figures like Albert Pujols, Tony Dungy, Brett Favre and Lou Brock, but he says covering local sports at the prep and college level is just as rewarding.

"You get to see sports at its purist form. These kids are playing sports because it's what they love to do. There's a satisfaction that comes from telling their stories that you don't always get from covering professional sports," Zach said.

A native of Mendon, Illinois, Zach is very familiar with the passion and dedication of those involved with high school sports in central Illinois.

Zach is a fan of all sports. His loyalties lie with the St. Louis Cardinals, Tennessee Titans, Fighting Illini basketball and Penn State football programs. He is also an avid music fan and enjoys reading and hanging out with friends and family.

Jerry Lambert - Anchor / Reporter

Jerry is a veteran reporter/anchor who anchors the 5pm, 6pm and 10pm news along with Elizabeth Wooley and Marianne Manko.  He's been with NewsChannel 20 since 1995.

Jerry started his broadcast career in 1974 during an army assignment in Italy. He worked briefly as a radio DJ, eventually moving into AFRTS-TV.

Jerry worked at KMOL in San Antonio, Texas from 1981-1983, at WTHR Channel-13 in Indianapolis, Indiana in 1987, at WTTV Channel-4 in Indianapolis from 1990-1991, and at WTVT Channel-13 in Tampa, Florida from 1992-1995.

He is a Butler University Graduate.

"I like the daily challenge. The chance to work with the public to make their community a better and safer place to live. I enjoy the cutting edge of news coverage, especially when it really matters to the people."

Jerry's hobbie is running, including one marathon and over 75 shorter races over his 20+ years of running. He feels it's a stepping stone to fitness and a longer life. "Plus, it helps organize my thoughts and gives me a sense of purpose and direction."

Jerry is married with 3 grown children.

Jerry attended high school in central Pennsylvania near Chambersburg in Franklin County.

"I like Springfield, It's a great place to live and work. The people are friendly and that helps make resettlement into this community a pleasant one."

Kelly Larson - Reporter

Kelly Larson is a general assignment reporter for ABC NewsChannel 20. She grew up in Shorewood and attended Illinois State University where she majored in Mass Communication. Before joining NewsChannel 20, Kelly was a weeknight anchor for the 6 p.m. news and reporter in Rhinelander, Wisconsin.

Kelly believes in volunteering with her community and gives her time to various charities. She is active with the Muscular Dystrophy Association and a proud alum to the Illinois Junior Miss organization. Having completed two Chicago marathons she runs in support of the American Cancer Society. Along with running, Kelly also enjoys singing and spending time with her family.

Marianne Manko - Anchor / Reporter

You can see Anchor/Reporter Marianne Manko each weeknight on ABC Newschannel 20's Nightside at 10pm. She received her BA degree from The University of Akron in Ohio, her childhood hometown. Not long after graduating, Marianne moved to Orlando, Florida where she worked in a variety of roles... from Traffic Reporter, Radio Talk Show Host, News Reporter and TV Weather Anchor. After years of working in news, Marianne took a break from the industry. She moved to Philadelphia and accepted a job as a National TV Shopping Host. "Even though it was a shocking departure from the news business, I really enjoyed that job" she says. "But after awhile I realized it wasn't what I wanted to. I missed news. I missed making a difference."

Marianne returned to news as an Anchor/Reporter at a station in the Brownsville, Texas market. There she covered stories on border security, immigration, and drug smuggling cartels. She later did freelance work in the state capital of Austin, before bringing her variety of experience to Central Illinois. When she's not at work, you'll often find Marianne emceeing at a local charity event, or mentoring young students about their future careers. Marianne is a member of The National Association of Hispanic Journalists.

Jessica McGee - Anchor

She's a familiar face with a new name: Jessica English is now Jessica McGee. But she's still working to wake you up weekdays on Sunrise This Morning.

A native of Belleville, Illinois, Jessica received her Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Indiana University. Jessica was a reporter in Meridian, Mississippi, and a morning anchor in Jefferson City, Missouri, before landing here in Springfield with the ABC NewsChannel 20 team in 2002.

While she spends her mornings helping to wake up Central Illinois, Jessica likes to spend her free time reading a good book, working with organizations like the Children's Miracle Network, training for local charity runs, and enjoying married life with her new husband, Mike.

You can catch Jessica weekday mornings at 5am on Sunrise This Morning and at 11am on Midday.

Danny Russell - Weekend Weathercaster

Danny was born and raised in Cahokia just east of St. Louis. Taylorville has been home for 24 years.

He started in broadcasting in 1975 working at radio stations throughout central and southern Illinois like WIBV, KADI, WTIM, WBGZ and WMAY/WNNS. Spent several semesters as an instructor in the Radio Broadcast program at Lewis & Clark College in Godfrey.

After 20 years in radio, Danny stepped in front of the camera and started at WICS in 1995, he's been here for ten years.

Co-owner of Intense Multimedia Marketing and Production agency for six years

Interests include: playing music of all kinds with hisguitar pickin friends, hunting & fishing, and spending as much time as he can with his two wonderful little girls, Olivia and Kate.

Catie Sheehan - Reporter

Catie Sheehan began delivering the news to Central Illinois at the age of 12... as a newspaper carrier! It was then she developed her passion and dedication to news. Catie was born and raised right here in Springfield. She enjoys working in her hometown where she is surrounded by many friends and a huge family. "My grandma calls me everyday to critique my reports." Catie is very passionate about covering the issues that are important to the community she has been a part of for so long.

She went to high school at Sacred Heart-Griffin and grade school at Blessed Sacrament. Catie graduated with honors from the University of Missouri-Columbia. She got her start in the broadcast business in college while working for KOMU. Before coming to WICS, Catie worked as a Springfield reporter for WCIA/WCFN. She has used her expertise to cover everything from legislation at the Illinois Statehouse, to pothole problems in the Capital City.

When Catie has time to spare, she enjoys eating sushi, working out, bargain shopping, trying to learn how to cook, reading books but not finishing them and decorating her home.

Feel free to email her with any story ideas.

Andrew Tanielian - Reporter

Andrew has experience covering news from all around Illinois.

Andrew grew up in the Chicago suburb of Deerfield where he studied journalism in high school. Andrew then moved to Carbondale as he earned degrees in radio-television and political science at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. Andrew then moved from Southern Illinois to Central Illinois to earn a master degrees in Public Affairs Reporting at the University of Illinois Springfield.

Andrew enjoys covering state and national politics as well as stories about the unique people and places that give Central Illinois a character you can't find anywhere else in the midwest.

When not reporting Andrew reads, cooks and travels.

Elizabeth Wooley - Anchor / Reporter

You can see Elizabeth anchoring the 5pm and 6pm weekday newscasts.

Elizabeth got her start at ABC Newschannel 20 in January of 2000. Since that time she has anchored every nightly newscast, including sister station WICD's 6pm and 10pm editions.

In addition to her anchoring duties, you'll see Elizabeth out covering a variety of topics. Most recently she won a national first place award for her medical reporting from the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. Elizabeth has also been named "Best Reporter" by the Associated Press, and been part of the Associated Press "Best Newscast" and "Most Outstanding News Operation" team. Her other awards include the Samter Journalism Award, a national award for medical reporting; The Illinois Academy of Family Physicians top Media Award recipient; Communicator Award recipient for "Hard News Reporting"; RTNDA Jacque Minnotte National Health Reporting Fellowship recipient, The Springfield Business Journal's "Woman of Influence"; and "Best TV Journalist" by Illinois Times readers.

This Michigan State alum previously worked as a Morning Anchor in Lansing, MI, Production Manager for the nationally recognized government access station HOM-TV, and Newscaster for Impact 89 FM.

You may have seen Elizabeth hosting the Children's Miracle Network telethon, walking to raise money for the March of Dimes, American Lung Association and Alzheimer's Association, or just reading to kids at area schools. "The best thing about this job is the opportunity I have to connect with people," says Wooley. "For them to share their personal stories with me so I can share them with others is truly an honor!"

Elizabeth and her husband Jay live in Springfield. They have a daughter named Morgan and a son named Conner.