Rachael Wilkerson, an award-winning investigative reporter at Indianapolis ABC affiliate WRTV-6, announced she is leaving the station after declining a recent contract extension.
Wilkerson, 31, posted the news on social media Monday, writing that “it wasn't an easy decision, but I'll never forget this community,” and thanking Indianapolis for allowing her to share stories. In a reply to a commenter she wrote that she “was offered an extension, just don't feel like this is my best option right now.”
The Michigan City native spent more than four years at WRTV after a three-year stint at NBC affiliate WPMI in Mobile, Alabama. Her reporting at WRTV focused on crime, housing and local government. Wilkerson told the IndyStar she had not yet decided on her next position but that “my season here was up.”
Wilkerson has received multiple regional honors. She won a Central Great Lakes Emmy in 2023 for her coverage of the Delphi murders while at WRTV. During her time in Alabama, she was named Best Reporter by the Alabama Broadcasters Association in 2020 and 2022 and Best Investigative Journalist in 2021. She also was part of a team that won a regional Edward R. Murrow Award for overall excellence in news coverage.
Viewers and colleagues responded to her announcement with praise and well-wishes on social media. “Wherever you go, they will be BETTER because of you,” one commenter posted. Wilkerson’s public message reiterated gratitude to the community she covered.
Her departure comes as other local television staffing changes have drawn attention. Last week, more than 20 employees at Indianapolis station WISH-TV were dismissed after the station’s parent company implemented new contract terms that included a one-year restriction on working at most other media outlets after leaving. It was not publicly disclosed whether any similar conditions were part of the offer Wilkerson said she declined.
The terms of the contract WRTV offered to Wilkerson were not disclosed. Wilkerson told the IndyStar she believed the timing was right to move on. WRTV did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The Daily Mail reported it had reached out to Wilkerson for comment.
Wilkerson’s career in broadcast journalism has been marked by investigative work and regional recognition. After beginning her professional on-air career in Mobile, she joined WRTV and covered stories that earned regional awards and attention. Her departure ends a more than four-year tenure at the Indianapolis station and follows a pattern of recent personnel changes in the local television market.