Anchor Les Sachs is set to retire later this spring, after 35 years with WGEM.
Sachs first joined WGEM–an NBC-affiliate that covers the tri-states area of western Illinois, northeastern Missouri, and southeastern Iowa–in 1973. After rising through the ranks at WGEM, Sachs left the station in 1989. He returned in ’93 and has been there ever since.
“Les has always been there, in good times and challenging times, for so many people. He’s been that trusted resource,” WGEM news director Chad Mahoney said. “Les genuinely cares about the community and people sense that. That’s why he has been so successful for so many years.”
During his time away from WGEM, Sachs served as news director at WHOI in Peoria and KGAN in Cedar Rapids. He rejoined WGEM as news director, but now serves as senior editor and director of public affairs, in addition to anchoring the news.
Sachs, who currently anchors WGEM’s 6 p.m. newscast, is set to sign off on May 23rd. Leading up to Sachs’ final broadcast, WGEM will air a series of reports looking back at his career.
“It has been a privilege to serve WGEM and our audience for the past four decades. Now it’s time to spend more time with my wife Linda and kick back,” Sachs said.