Quick Facts
LibraBiography
Silas Joseph "Jay" Young (October 1, 1949 – August 23, 2006), known professionally as Jay Young, was one of the original news anchors on CNN's Headline News in Atlanta, Georgia, in the 1980s.
Early life and education
Jay Young was born as Silas Joseph Young on October 1, 1949, in Eunice, Louisiana.
Young was a graduate of Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge.
Career
Young was a staff member on future Louisiana governor Edwin Edwards' election team in 1971 before moving on to become a popular regional print journalist for the Daily World in Opelousas, Louisiana and newscaster for KATC TV 3 in Lafayette, Louisiana, during 1975-76.
He moved to WAFB-TV 9 in Baton Rouge during the late 1970s and to WBRZ-TV in the early 1980s to mid-1980s, the latter newscast reportedly the highest rated ABC-TV newscast for a market its size in the country.
He joined CNN's HLN (Headline News) when it was launched in 1982. The channel was originally launched as CNN2, a spin-off of CNN. Shortly after launching, the network was rebranded as Headline News and later, CNN Headline News. Other notable HLN anchors and reporters, past and present, include:
- Jean Casarez (HLN & CNN)
- Mike Galanos (HLN)
- Susan Hendricks (HLN)
- Robin Meade (HLN)
- Shyann Malone (HLN)
- Christi Paul (HLN & CNN)
- Elizabeth Prann (HLN)
- Lynn Smith (HLN)
- Bob Van Dillen (HLN)
- Jennifer Westhoven (HLN)
- Coy Wire (HLN & CNN)
Books
Young published at least three novels:
- Where Heathens Pray, January 1, 1973
- Smuggler's Forecast, September 1, 1997
- The Flights of Fantsy, November 22, 1998
Personal life
Jay Young was married to his wife Winona Young.
Death
Young died of a heart attack on August 23, 2006, at the age of 56.