PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) – At WMBD-TV, Shaun Newell wasn’t just a general manager—he was a storyteller at heart. Newell, who passed away Monday at the age of 47, believed deeply in the power of media to make a difference.
“Shaun was passionate about telling the stories of Central Illinois and he pushed all of us to remember that our work could truly impact people’s lives,” WMBD News Director Kristina Leahy said. “His passion for journalism will live on at WMBD and he will be missed.”
That passion drove him from his early days in radio, to leading newsrooms, to the corner office at WMBD. Since joining the station in 2017, Newell helped expand local coverage, launch newscasts, and build WMBD’s first digital news team. But he never strayed too far from the stories or the people who tell them.
“Shaun was a dedicated leader whose passion for local journalism and deep commitment to the community shaped the culture and direction of WMBD,” said Brandin Stewart, Senior Vice President and Regional Manager for Broadcasting at Nexstar Media Inc. “He led with integrity, encouraged those around him, and always took the time to lift others up. His impact is evident not only in the station’s growth, but in the meaningful relationships he built throughout Central Illinois and at our company. Above all, Shaun cared — about the work, about the people, and about making a difference. He will be deeply missed.”
Away from the newsroom, Newell poured that same energy into his community—whether it was calling Dunlap High School football games, serving on nonprofit boards, or cheering on his children’s sports.
This Monday on WMBD News at 10 p.m., Rebecca Brumfield’s CIHeroes will celebrate the impact Shaun Newell made at WMBD and throughout Central Illinois.
