Ray Cortopassi Joined Indy Now as New Cohost

The veteran broadcaster returns to the Indianapolis market after working at WGN in Chicago for six years.

Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Remote Work

A professional broadcast studio desk with a microphone and stage lighting, representing the media industry environment. — Ray Cortopassi has been named the new cohost of Indy Now on Fox59, returning to the Indianapolis broadcasting market after six years at WGN in Chicago. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Fox59 has appointed Ray Cortopassi as the new cohost of its program Indy Now. Cortopassi replaces Ryan Ahlwardt, who departed the show in June to spend more time with his family.

Why it matters

The hire brings a familiar face back to the Indianapolis broadcast community after Cortopassi spent more than two decades covering the region. His return coincides with the show marking its five-year anniversary on air.

Cortopassi brings 21 years of local broadcast history to the role, including 11 years at Fox59 and seven years at WRTV. The program he joins has been a fixture in Indianapolis for five years.

The players

Ray Cortopassi

He is a longtime broadcast journalist who has served in various newsroom roles in Indianapolis and Chicago.

Ryan Ahlwardt

He is a former television personality who spent nearly five years as a cohost on Indy Now.

Fox59

It is an Indianapolis-based television station that produces local news and lifestyle programming.

The details

Ray Cortopassi appeared in the studio to announce his new position following a period where the program relied on guest hosts. He moves back to Indianapolis after concluding his tenure as an anchor for WGN in Chicago earlier this year.

Ryan Ahlwardt departed the show in June 2026.
Ray Cortopassi concluded his tenure at WGN in April 2026.
Indy Now celebrated its fifth anniversary in September 2026.
The official announcement occurred on Tuesday, September 22, 2026.

Market Landscape

This transition reflects the regional movement of media talent between major midwestern markets like Indianapolis and Chicago. By securing a veteran with local history, Fox59 positions itself to maintain consistent viewership as the program matures beyond its initial launch phase.

Viewers can expect to see Cortopassi as a permanent fixture on Indy Now starting immediately. The shift replaces the rotating cast of guest hosts that viewers have seen on the show since June.

The takeaway

Bringing back established local talent remains a primary strategy for news stations looking to reinforce brand loyalty among long-term viewers. The move demonstrates the importance of market familiarity in the competitive landscape of local daytime television.