Posted by Nancy Francis-

First of all, I want to say thanks for all the kind emails and comments over the past couple of weeks.

Secondly, as promised..my mullet photo. In my defense, I pose this question: Is there anyone 40 or older who did NOT have a mullet at some point? Look... even Jane Pauley had a mullet variation! And how do you like our shoulder pads?

This was taken on the set of "The Today Show" at NBC in New York. That's Bryant Gumbel on the right. We were shooting a promo for "News 8 at Sunrise," my first newscast at KGW. It aired at 6:30 am, followed by "The Today Show" at 7. Easy money, when you consider that "Newschannel 8 at Sunrise" currently starts at 4:30 am!

Now for some more odds and ends from the scrapbook:

With legendary KGW meteorologist Jack Capell. I was visiting the station while on maternity leave with my youngest daughter, Colette.

Joe Becker has worked at KGW longer than anyone else on-the-air right now, including me. This summer, he marks 24 years.

This photo with Tom Browkaw was taken in the KGW newsroom in the late '80s. I had been at my computer typing when I felt someone tap me on the shoulder. Imagine my surprise to see it was Tom Brokaw... who wanted to ask me a question about our computer program. He was in town to anchor NBC Nightly News from the top of the US Bank Tower.

Cover of The Oregonian's "TV Click" with my then-coanchor Russ Lewis in 1999.

FROM "BENJI THE HUNTED"

On the set with Benji in Cascade Locks. The photo below shows Benji in his (actually HER) golf cart. In the kennel below is the stunt dog, Barney. (I am not making this up!)

My scene was shot at the Coast Guard station in Newport on a clear, warm summer night. It was supposed to take place in a fierce rainstorm, which was made possible by several fire hoses that pummeled us on cue. It took about twelve hours to shoot a scene that lasts about two minutes.

New York

With my oldest daughter, Allison (now in college) serving at the annual dinner the Trailblazers host for the homeless. What I remember most about that day was that Rasheed Wallace (who dished out food with us) was kind to Allison.

Newspaper clipping showing me with my daughter, Anna at the Grand Floral Parade

And finally, for those too young to know: That rectangular object in the upper left is called a typewriter. I thought it was cool because it was electric!

My last day at KGW is April 6th.

Posted by at 6:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (9)

Posted by Nancy Francis

Some people are astounded when they hear I've been at KGW for 22-plus years. Candidly, the fact is I would not have lasted that long if KGW had not allowed me to work a part time schedule for much of that time.

I have three daughters. After my first daughter was born, I returned to work full time: anchoring weekends (a night schedule) and reporting (a daytime schedule) three days a week. After several exhausting months, it became clear to me I wasn't doing anything particularly well; I wasn't performing to my satisfaction as a journalist or a mother.

I did not want to quit my job. But I knew that, realistically, it would eventually come to that unless there was some kind of compromise. Something had to give.

I don't believe there is a universal formula for a work/family balance. I would never dare to presume to know what other parents should do to achieve the right balance. Furthermore, many parents simply cannot afford to cut back on work, much as they might want to do that. Every situation is different; not everyone has the same options.

All I knew was what seemed best for my child and family in the context of the demanding profession of television news and the particular schedule I had.

My proposal to my then-boss: Reduce my hours, my pay, and my benefits.

I thought it was a win-win, but the news director at that time (1989) was resistant to the idea. After considerable back-and-forth, he agreed and KGW allowed me that privilege for many years, even though it wasn't necessarily always convenient for the news operation. I would like to thank KGW for that.

I hope that sharing my story publicly might encourage other companies to keep an open mind when it comes to compromising with their employees during various phases of their careers and family life. More often than not, in my opinion, it makes good business sense.

Back to the photo album
THEN......

with Allison (now 19)

with Anna (now 14)

with Colette (now 11)

NOW...

Posted by at 7:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

and I get to work with him! Huge kudos to Michael Convery. The Associated Press just named him best TV traffic reporter. He'll pick up his first place award next month during a big
shindig on the Oregon coast.

Michael told me he's humbled and honored to be recognized but around here we've always recognized his hard work and talent. He's been getting folks where they're going for 15 years in Portland-- the last four here at NewsChannel 8!

One thing you may NOT know about Michael is that he gets cold feet--- not about being on
TV.. I mean.. he gets COLD FEET in our heavily air conditioned HD studio.
This morning I noticed thick, white socks peeking out from his suit slacks and he 'fessed up
to the reason behind this "fashion statement." : )
Dave Salesky couldn't resist snapping a picture

Congrats again, Michael, on the best TV traffic reporter award. Well deserved!
You can catch his traffic reports Monday through Friday on Newschannel 8 at Sunrise from
5 to 7am. He's also watching the roads during the Today Show. Catch his updates at 7:27am, 7:57am and 8:27am.

Brenda Braxton

Posted by at 10:04 AM | Permalink

Knitters rock!
Seriously, I have heard from dozens of you since running the Bear Rescue story. Thank you all for your comments and your hard work making mittens for the bears to wear after surgery.
I wanted to post a picture of a finished one sent in by Alice Olsen.

What's really neat is that word of the bears plight is spreading through knitting groups throughout the country I also heard from a viewer who doesn't knit but has figured out how to make them out of fleece because she can sew.

If you didn't get a chance to see the story when we aired it you can still watch it now. I just checked and it is still on our website. Just go back to the home page, click on news, then special reports and you'll see it there.

I'm going to check with the zoo to see how many are coming in and maybe we can do a little follow up story. I'll let you all know.

Thank you so much for caring about this... and as always thank you for watching.

Tracy Barry

Posted by at 2:30 PM | Permalink

Posted by Nancy Francis

* * * * * * * * * * * *
"What a wonderful life I had. I only wish I'd realized it sooner."
-Colette (One of my favorite writers; my youngest daughter is her namesake)

"What a wonderful career I had. I only wish I could remember more of it."
-Me

* * * * * * * * * * * *
Probably the biggest regret of my career is that I did not keep a journal or at least a list of all the stories I covered. That would make it a lot easier to answer all the recent questions about what were my favorite or most memorable stories.

The pace of a television reporter's day is usually so dizzying that once it begins, the previous day's story is like a vapor. I'm sure I've covered a lot of stories that would be considered extraordinarily memorable... if my memory didn't fail me.

I do remember my first live shot in Portland was the grand opening of Pioneer Courthouse Square. I also remember when the first MAX train officially pulled into downtown for its first morning commute, Teresa Richardson and I were broadcasting "News 8 at Sunrise" live from the Square.

I remember exciting election nights, the exuberance at the winners' parties and the awkward quiet at the losers' gatherings...and then the fun esprit de corps in the newsroom later as all the reporters returned from their assignments with election night gossip.

I remember so many gracious and kind people who talked to me even though they didn't have to.

REPORTING FROM THE OREGON STATE PENITENTIARY

I remember so many tragic and/or perverse stories I'd just as soon forget, frankly.

I remember crime victims inspiring for their capacity to forgive.

I remember receiving a phone call from a woman I'd interviewed about 15 years earlier. She'd been part of a story I did about women on welfare trying to improve their lives and become more independent. She was calling to tell me she was getting her PhD!

More recently, I remember marvelling at a march and vigil in NE Portland in honor of Portland Police Officer Mark Zylawy, killed in a crash on I-5. I'd never seen anything like that outpouring of support. The people paying tribute to him were not the types you'd expect would march in the icy rain to honor an officer. One mournful young man politely turned down my request for an interview; he told me there were warrants out for his arrest, so he did not want to be on TV. Yet there he was, mourning the loss of an officer so beloved by that neighborhood.

I remember savoring the beauty of our region: the healing landscape at Mt. St Helens, the majesty of Multnomah Falls seen above from Sky 8, snowflakes big as butterflies on Mount Hood.

Speaking of Mount Hood, I remember hands so cold they hurt.

I remember the best news photgraphers in the Northwest.

UNFORTUNATELY, NOT ALL OF OUR WONDERFUL PHOTOGRAPHERS WERE AROUND FOR THIS PHOTO. NO DOUBT THE ABSENT ONES WERE OUT SHOOTING MORE AWARD-WINNING STORIES.

I remember the day some pranksters "kidnapped" an owl from the zoo. It was found that night, safely perched on the toilet seat in a restroom of an AM/PM market in NE Portland. That's what you call good video!

I remember a campaigning George H.W. Bush (the elder) behind the wheel of a big rig for a photo op at Jubitz Truck Stop.

I remember President Clinton coming to town for the Timber Summit.

I remember interviewing a woman who claimed to be psychic and hoping she could not read my mind because, as she spoke to me, I was thinking she was crazy!

I remember standing outside Julianne Phillips' parents' house in Lake Oswego with a throng of reporters. We were waiting for her fiance, Bruce Springsteen, to drive up for their imminent wedding. We got so excited when a limo rounded the corner, but were disappointed it was full of some high school kids on their way to a prom. A pizza delivery guy later brought pizza to all of us. We learned "the Boss" was inside the house the whole time and he was the one who ordered the pizza for us.

I remember interviewing Oprah Winfrey (twice! I'm lucky.) and falling under her spell. Oprah IS impressive!

Oh yes, and this...

For the record: KGW Videojournalist Brian Robertson should get credit for noticing "Turtle Boy" Jonathon Ware and suggesting that I interview him. I only wish Jonathon made some college money from his YouTube fame.

I guess I remember more than I thought.

Now some ancient photos...
These are from an old article in a now-defunct weekly paper in Bend. I was fresh out of college and working my first TV job.

Yes, that is a MANUAL typewriter in the photo above.

Barely out of college and interviewing Senator Mark Hatfield. Look at the camera!
* * * * * * *
FAST FORWARD TO YESTERDAY...my last day reporting "in the field"
I was fortunate to work with the legendary multi-award- winning photojournalist, Kurt Austin.



GETTING READY FOR OUR NOON LIVE SHOT


KURT WITH SATELLITE TRUCK WIZARD DAN DUGAN

WHAT THE REPORTER SEES DURING A LIVE SHOT.
(What a reporter MAY be thinking during a live shot: "Why am I standing in the cold pouring rain talking about something that happened INSIDE while Matt Zaffino is in the dry warm studio talking about the pouring rain? :=)

HURRAY! OUR DAY IS DONE.

More later, including..."Anchor Hair:Variations on a Mullet"
STAY TUNED.

Posted by at 3:54 PM | Permalink

From Nancy Francis
When I first started working at KGW, Ronald Reagan was president, we typed our stories on IBM Selectrics, and some of the people who work here now were still in diapers.

Iran and Iraq were at war (with each other). A crimson-clad guru was holding court in Central Oregon. And an up-and-coming singer named Madonna was (not) "Like a Virgin."

There was no such thing as blogging.

MY KGW ID CARD, ISSUED MY FIRST DAY

Almost 23 years later, I am getting ready to sign off for the last time. It's time for something new. I've just been accepted into graduate school at Lewis & Clark, where I plan to get a Masters in Education. Ultimately, my plan is to be certified to teach language arts at the high school level.

It's more than a little daunting, changing course at this stage. I have so much to learn, so much to re-learn. Let's just say I haven't written a thesis paper in....uhmmm...about a quarter century.
I'm sure it will be humbling to face a class for the first time.

But I am excited. I feel fortunate to have had all the opportunities KGW has given me. I also feel lucky to have this new one.

My last day reporting "in the field" will be this Friday, March 7th. After that, I will continue my regular weekend anchor duties until Sunday April 6th. That will be my final broadcast.

In the meantime, I'll be going through some old mementos. I'm going to try to make time to share some of them on this blog.

Amy and I had fun with the one below. My first co-anchor at KGW was Teresa Richardson. The ad below appeared in TV Guide in 1985. When I saw it, I was struck by how much Amy resembles Teresa. It's as though I've done a 360! So after the 5pm news tonight, Amy and I struck a pose and enlisted Joe Becker to take a reenactment photo:

Pretty amazing, huh! More later.

Posted by at 6:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (10)