John Yeley joined the Eyewitness News team in January of 2023. He is from the Wabash Valley region of the “Illiana” metropolitan area covering Vigo County, IN and Clark County, IL. He is the oldest son of 5 siblings, and loves being an uncle to his niece and nephew.
John has been a lifelong learner and student, attending Butler University for Sports Journalism, Indiana State University for Criminal Psychology, and the Southern Illinois University School of Law, before graduating with his M.B.A. from the University of Southern Indiana in December 2022.
John grew up on a farm in rural Marshall, IL where he learned the value of hard work, staying motivated, and remaining resilient in the face of obstacles to achieve his goals.
John began his career in media with a Sports Media/Broadcasting internship with the Terre Haute Rex baseball team in Summer 2013. Over the years, he worked for The Tribune Star as a freelance sports reporter and Sight Specific as a music and art journalist, later serving as part-time Copy Editor for The Southern Illinoisian when he wasn’t attending classes at SIU Law.
He spent time as a legal intern and later Public Interest Law Initiative representative with Prairie State Legal Services in Bloomington, IL, learning about the complex factors that lead to poverty, personal problems, and mental illness. This experience left him with a greater understanding and empathy for those going through difficult times.
John enjoys reading, being outdoors, and helping recovery organizations throughout the Tri-State. in his free time, John likes to remain active by playing tennis and basketball with his friends.
He is a die hard St. Louis Cardinals and Butler Basketball fan, with the ability to put people to sleep talking about statistics that don’t follow sports like that.
After a decade in newspapers, law, business, and writing, John is thrilled to join such a talented and respected news organization covering his new town.
