Goodbye! I'm Leaving KSPR and KY3 Inc.

I've come a long way since I started at KY3 in April 2003. I started on Good Friday at the urging of my then-news director. By doing that, I had to take another year of religious classes, but I was so happy to be in my home state!

Just a couple weeks after my big move, the May 4th tornadoes came. I was so terrified because it was the first real major breaking news event I'd covered. There was so much destruction, and I was so sad to talk to families who had lost loved ones. The first house I stopped at in Camdenton was an eye opener. I met a couple of teens who were picking up the debris, and I asked them a few questions about the storm. I asked... "Did everyone make it out ok?" "No," was their response.

Apparently, a husband and wife lived there for several years. They were grandparents. She was found in a bathtub several hundred yards away from the house. The grandfather was somewhere out in the field. I thought of my family. That one news event shaped much of my career... even as devastating as it was, I am grateful to have learned so early about true hardships and the power of local TV news. People complain about local TV, but the truth is, I believe our station (and others) saved lives the night of the storm. We helped many towns and people recover afterwards. It was a great lesson, and it's not one that comes around often.

After a few months, I had the great opportunity to work the weekend mornings and anchor the cut-ins. It was ONLY the cut-ins, but I thought anchoring a smidge would be better than nothing. I passed up several opportunities to report dayside, M-F... but I was determined to have my 3 minutes on the anchor desk, even if it meant waking up on Saturdays at 5 a.m.

Then, the opportunity came to work at KSPR. Weekend nights. Producing my own newscast. Editing on BETA. And filling in on the sports desk. Really? What year was this? It didn't matter, though. I thought it was great experience. I remember feeling a great sadness leaving my KY3 comforts... but I was so excited for the chance to do more professionally.

A year later, I was anchoring the 10 p.m. news. Shortly after that, we dumped all of our sad equipment and started working in the newest studio/newsroom in the market. It's been really cool to be HD from start to finish, work with robotic cams and ipads and work with the latest equipment. Of course, that can only go so far.

But, as I ramble here... I kept thinking it might be time to move on. After all, nearly eight years in one place is a long time. At some point, you have to decide whether you want change or not. I did.

My contract ends November 30th. My last newscast will be Sunday, November 28th. I imagine it will be routine-- "here today, gone tomorrow" kind-of-thing. And, that's the way it should be. I wouldn't subject any of our viewers to my mumblings about moving on. It's reserved for my blog, though... and I won't apologize for that!

I had a great run at KY3 Inc. I made a lot of memories with incredible people. I earned recognition across the state --even the country-- for the work I've done in both newsrooms. And, most importantly, I met my wonderful husband here. Without him, I'm nothing. Jim and I have so much more ahead in our future together, but Springfield will leave an impression on us. And, I'm truly grateful to have had the chance to be here.

I'm sorry I haven't told some of you face-to-face about my big life change. I feel like a horrible friend, and the truth is, I still feel like I need to be a little cryptic about my future. We will still have roots in the Ozarks; Jim will continue working at KY3 Inc., and I will be seen around town.

Feel free to send me a message on Facebook or drop me a note with your email. I'll be in touch.