Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear has given a Chattooga County native, Bode Brooks, a commission as a Kentucky Colonel.  The honorary commission is given to outstanding citizens of the Commonwealth of Kentucky and they retain the commission for their lifetime.

The Kentucky Colonel commission was first granted to Kentucky residents after the War of 1812 to honor the service of residents to the Commonwealth of Kentucky, but over the years the honorary position has grown to recognize people from all walks of life who contribute to the betterment of The Bluegrass State.  The Kentucky Colonels carry out a wide variety of philanthropic activities throughout the state.

Bode Brooks is currently a reporter for Fox 56 News in Lexington, Kentucky. Brooks joined the FOX 56 team in October 2021 and covers the Kentucky Capitol. According to the station’s employee bio page,  “Bode got his start in news when he was 16, covering local news for his hometown’s country music station, WZQZ in Summerville, Georgia. After leaving his hometown for college, Bode interned and was later hired by Atlanta’s #1 radio station WSB as a weekend anchor during his senior year”.  Bode’s first television job came right after he graduated in May 2019 when he was hired to be the weekday morning anchor at KTVE in Monroe, Louisiana. Shortly after, Bode was promoted to weekday evening anchor. Bode’s coverage contributed to KTVE being recognized for “Best Small Market Newscast” by the Louisiana Association of Broadcasters.

Congratulations to Chattooga High School graduate and WZQZ Alumni Bode Brooks for his commission as a Kentucky Colonel.