Ten-year-old John Wortman hosts a newscast from his home in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. John started John News shortly after the pandemic caused his school to stop meeting in person in March, 2020. John was in first grade then; now he is in fifth grade, and John News is still going strong!
John says that he started John News "because I want to make people happy--even during coronavirus time."
Enjoy this John News special report
THAT’S GREAT!
John News learns about how robots enhance math and science learning. John visits with the technology coach at his school, programs a robot, and shows how it works!
watch the latest episode of John News
IT’S JUST ALL GREAT THINGS!
John News visits his local Ronald McDonald House. John gets to meet a boy who is waiting for a kidney transplant and staying at the house. Also, he gets to tour the place and learn about the services that are available to the family guests.
Learn more about Ronald Mcdonald House Charities
When the best treatment for a sick child is far from home, thankfully, families don’t have worry about where to stay. At a Ronald McDonald House, families can stay together, rest and recharge to remain strong for their child, interact with families going through similar experiences, enjoy home-cooked meals and receive compassionate hospitality from staff and volunteers — all just minutes from the hospital where their child is receiving care. Click here.
See the previous episode of john news
WHAT ARE THE MAJOR ISSUES IN EDUCATION?
John News presents the fourth annual back-to-school episode! John interviews his school principal and assistant principal – and explores some of the major issues facing public education in America.
john selected as a Hometown hero
Check THIS out! Another accolade for John and John News! WCHL, the local radio station, named John a "Hometown Hero"! It's worth your time to listen to the audio. Click here.
And you get to hear what John's school principal says about him!
listen to john's interview on the radio
John appeared on WCHL, 97.9 The Hill. He had a lot of fun substituting as the guest for the station's Talking Books segment. Click here to listen.
John gets a major award
WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?
It's a big day for John! At the annual recognition ceremony for his school district, John is one of three students — out of 12,000 in the district — to receive the “Hamlett's Heroes“ award. John News was there to record the superintendent presenting this important award to John.
Help fight hunger. All proceeds go to TABLE, Inc., a nonprofit that feeds hungry kids in John's community. To order your shirt, click here.
John News Featured on CBS 17 News Program
May 2, 2021 Reporter Crystal Price interviews John, gives an in-depth account of how John News is created, and reports on why John started his newscast. To view the story, click here.
Visit John's YouTube channel here.
See where it all began
Watch the very first episode of John News! You can see how far John has come.