So, I blogged enough about it in 2014 and like with any good news story, a responsible journalist needs to do a follow-up. So, here’s mine:
I was pregnant most of 2014. Now, on this first day of 2015, I have an almost four-month-old healthy baby boy named Miles. He joined our family on Sept. 9 of last year, completing our family of four. Our oldest will be six-years-old on Jan. 9, so needless to say, my husband and I had long forgotten how challenging, yet wonderful, it is to have a newborn.
I’m still trying to figure out how to balance life with more than one kid since I’m an only child and siblings remain a foreign concept to me. We’re making it through, though, as a new family unit. There have been some tears shed (and not just coming from the baby), but they’ve been balanced by laughs and smiles over this funny, pudgy little lump of a person who’s own gummy smile will melt even the coldest of hearts.
In the midst of all of this, I’ve had to make a big decision about how to handle my new life now.
I’ve been a street reporter at WBAP for roughly 11 years before I became the producer of KLIF News & Information in the Morning on our sister-station, 570 AM KLIF. While working with Amy Chodroff (former WBAP Morning News Anchor, now KLIF morning show co-host), Dave Williams (KLIF morning show co-host), Griffin Marshall (technical wizard) and Bill Jackson (traffic anchor) has really been fun, I can honestly say that my years as a street reporter have been the most rewarding.
Whether it was chasing rain-wrapped tornadoes, almost missing my ride in President George W. Bush’s motorcade or being lost in riveting, emotional courtroom testimony, I learned a hell of a lot about life, the human spirit and even basic civics. My own life has been greatly enhanced by my years “on the streets” working alongside my colleagues (many of whom I consider friends) in local print and TV media.
I’ve had so many unique, truly enriching experiences that I feel pretty complete and extremely grateful for the opportunities.
With the latest addition to my family, I’ve entered a new phase in my life that I look forward to focusing on, which is why I’m leaving my radio home after almost 13 years (with both stations) this month.
Well to be technical, I’m not going away forever. I hope to fill-in now and again to visit my colleagues, “play” radio and tell a good story. The business has totally changed since I started right out of college at UNT. No matter how challenging it gets, part of me still loves working in news radio. My colleagues can back me up. It’s a crazy love that’s hard to shake.
So, my final blog isn’t a goodbye, really. Rather, it’s a see ya later on, on the radio …
Ellie Hogue
