Ward Jolles
Alert Desk Reporter
Ward grew up in the small town of Orangeburg, South Carolina and received his degree in broadcast journalism from the University of South Carolina in 2021 (the real USC). He comes to WAVE Country from Madison, Wisconsin, where he worked as a reporter/anchor/producer for two years. There, he received three Wisconsin Broadcast Awards for his work in investigations, feature story-telling and web content.
When he's not working, Ward likes to grab some food or drinks at a local brewery or dive bar and going on hikes with his golden retriever, Maddie. He's also an avid reader and film buff and is always looking for suggestions on what to read or watch next.
Ward will be covering breaking news on WAVE News Midday, WAVE News at Noon, WAVE News at 3, 4, 5 and 6.
He also loves meeting new people and is new to Louisville, so don't be afraid to reach out!
Tracy Davenport, the pool business owner facing charges for theft, fraud and corrupt business practices in the Louisville area, was arrested in Jefferson County Friday.
Kentucky Fish and Wildlife officials say for the first time ever, a deer in Kentucky has tested positive for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD).
He allegedly pointed a gun at one of their heads.
He was taken into custody on Sunday.
The Metro Council’s Labor and Economic Development Committee voted Tuesday to recommend a TIF district be created to help fund the newly-proposed One Park Development project.
The dog that was abandoned at Bourbon City Bark Park in Bardstown in November has been adopted, officials at the park say.
Tymetrius Walter, the suspect who crashed a stolen car into a bystander’s vehicle, killing fifth-grader Jake Luxemburger has been indicted for murder and other charges.
A new arrest warrant has been issued in Clark County for embattled pool business owner Tracy Davenport, because prosecutors say she violated the terms of her bond there.
A grand jury has returned an indictment for Dominique Thompson, charging him with the attempted murder of LMPD Officer Brandon Haley.
A new report by the Wallstreet Journal (WSJ) shows Louisville-based healthcare company Humana could merge with rival company Cigna by the end of the year.
The fire broke out Wednesday morning around 8 a.m. at Glen’s Auto Clinic just off Highway 44 near Shepherdsville.
Piagentini has been at the center of an ethics investigation after he took a consulting job with the Louisville Healthcare CEO Council the day after he supported a $40 million grant benefiting that same group.
This new order from the Kentucky Court of Appeals upholds the decision to keep Houck’s bond at $10 million.
KSP said the crash happened Monday afternoon near Irvington.
Houck’s defense attorneys say Judge Charles Simms is biased against the defendant.
The employees are asking for their base pay to be raised by $3.75 an hour.
Black Friday marks exactly seven years since WAVE News anchor Dawne Gee suffered a stroke live on the air during the 7:00 news.
The level of food insecurity is rising across the Louisville metro, and the problem only gets worse as the holidays approach.
Jaynes was fired in January 2021 for violating LMPD rules in the preparation of a search warrant and untruthfulness.
The judge overseeing the Brooks Houck murder case will not recuse himself from the trial.
Assistant Chief Mark Grube said at this time police do not know the cause or circumstances of the crash.
Nelson County deputies arrested 22-year-old Mason Johnson Monday after several illegal items and a detailed murder and kidnapping plot were found inside of his home.
Jeffersontown Police are searching for three additional suspects believed to be involved in an extensive, months-long theft ring from Lowe’s stores in Kentucky and Indiana.
As part of the deal, she admitted to setting fire to the apartment building on Shanks Lane back in December 2017.
The historic Riverside Chapel was damaged this week after someone threw something through its stained-glass window.
Two men have been arrested for stealing more than $300,000 from Lowe’s stores in Kentucky and Indiana with money that wasn’t theirs.
A man has been arrested after police say he pointed a gun and threatened several people in an elementary school parking lot, including a woman giving her stepdaughter a driving lesson.
It’s now up to the 12 jurors in this case to decide.
Police say the man caught on camera vandalizing the Eternal Flame Memorial in Jefferson Square Park in Louisville has been cited with criminal mischief.
Tracy Davenport, one of the embattled pool business owners behind Davenport Extreme Pools, was indicted by a grand jury in Bullitt County Wednesday.
Park officials and Nelson County Animal Control are searching for the man seen abandoning a dog at Bourbon City Bark Park on Saturday.
The Indiana Supreme Court has officially ruled that Attorney General Todd Rokita engaged in “attorney misconduct” when he made comments about an Indiana abortion doctor on Fox News last year. As part of his sanctions, Rokita will be publicly reprimanded by the court and forced to pay a $250 to the Indiana Supreme Court clerk’s office.
Canadian Solar's $800 million investment will bring the facility to the River Ridge Commerce Center.
The man who was fired from the Louisville Police Department for firing the shot that killed Breonna Taylor was involved in a crash and brief standoff with residents in Carroll County.
Deputies in Marion County are searching for a man they say escaped the Marion County Detention Center Wednesday night. Authorities say Derrick E. Simmons, 43, escaped while on janitorial duty at the facility.
The affidavit of disqualification was filed by Houck’s attorneys Brian Butler and Michael Denbow.
The facility will be located at the River Ridge Commerce Center just off of Corporate Drive.
Kumar Rashad, the man just named Kentucky’s High School Teacher of the Year in September, has been at least temporarily removed from his classroom, JCPS officials confirmed to WAVE News Tuesday.
The Nelson County judge overseeing the Crystal Rogers case has pushed back a scheduled court appearance for Joseph Lawson, a suspect charged in connection with Rogers’ murder.
Dozens of students from Bloomfield Middle School in Nelson County protested the county’s school board just outside of their school Monday afternoon.
Nelson County Schools will be closed again on Friday due to staffing shortages.
After a murder conspiracy between a mother and her daughter is uncovered, suddenly, the mother is found dead and her daughter faces new charges. Jackson County deputies say it all came to light Wednesday after a lengthy investigation involving murder, poisoning and burglary.
JCPS officials say 49 bus drivers called out of work on Thursday, prompting hours-long bus delays for students.
Police said the victim’s sister hit him with a broom and escaped to a neighbor’s house to call for help.
The appeal was filed Tuesday morning by Brian Butler.
The Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS) is addressing growing theft problems in the Commonwealth for people who get EBT or SNAP benefits. CHFS officials say they’ve received 194 theft complaints since October 2nd.
LouVelo, Louisville’s bike share program, will be shutting down on Oct. 25.
“There was no way I could help that kid in the car,” Kentucky State Police Trooper Zach Napier said during an emotional preliminary hearing for Tymetrius Walter in Oldham County Wednesday. Walter is the suspect who crashed a stolen car into a bystander’s vehicle, killing fifth-grader Jake Luxemburger back on September 16.
Newly-released body cam and dashcam video shows the moment an Indiana man was arrested for driving a Power Wheels Jeep under the influence of drugs.
An investigation started after a woman was found dead back in March 2022.
