Good morning

Today is my last day at @GunsReporting and @wamu885.

But before I go there's a few things you should know about Guns & America and the really incredible people that have supported this work over the last few years.

This is hardly comprehensive, but reflecting back on my two years, this is what stands out.

@LisaZDunn is the patron saint of this program. She is the personification of hard work, and proof talk show producers can (and do) do it all.

This gif is for her. She knows why.

I love public media.

I know.

Of course I say that.

But in July 2018 when @JeremyBernfeld handed me the keys to a 10-station collaborative's digital and we had no road map or best practices to look to, I called all my digital peers. And they pitched in.

@GunsReporting's digital strategy should have a note at the bottom giving @tives contributing credit.

From the jump, my first Slack was to Tucker. We took what we loved about the @NENCNewEngland and started problem-solving what we knew wouldn't translate.

And then there's @KelseyProud. She's opened doors and made space for so many of us in #pubmedia. She's also the reason I knew about and took this job, and has helped make sure Guns & America serves the needs of a national network and community-oriented public service journalism.

It's time to confess: I stole @asincopado from Univision. I do not advocate stealing, but I do advocating bringing amazing people into the public media fold (see: @dawntheapl, later in this thread.)

Luis Melgar is a journalist without equal. See: https://gunsandamerica.org/story/19/08/26/after-tragedy-in-el-paso-a-special-visa-could-provide-some-survivors-a-glimmer-of-hope/

Through Guns & America I have gotten to work with a bunch of incredible reporters. Here are a few (because this thread is getting out of control already.)

Here goes:
@RLindsayReports taught me so much about how to communicate as an editor and how to find my voice as an advocate for my reporters.

She's an incredible journalist (AND PHOTOGRAPHER!):
https://gunsandamerica.org/story/19/08/07/a-space-to-heal-families-create-memorial-garden-for-victims-of-gun-violence/
https://gunsandamerica.org/story/19/10/08/his-aunt-saw-red-flags-police-got-a-risk-warrant/
https://gunsandamerica.org/story/20/02/07/why-temporary-restraining-orders-may-not-stop-an-abuser-from-getting-a-gun/

@oddity_adhiti distracts you with cakes and kindness, but creates journalism that cuts through and sees real people.

She is fierce.

I am just here waiting in the wings to cheer her on for when she takes her role as a host of ATC.

It's inevitable.

https://gunsandamerica.org/story/19/02/12/how-are-lockdown-drills-affecting-american-kids/

Being at @wamu885, I had the joy of getting to be @alanawise_'s coworker too.

Alana fires off flawless copy her first go, and paired with her partner in crime, @tyronefoto, produced moving work on survivors of gun violence.

https://wamu.atavist.com/- 
https://gunsandamerica.org/story/19/03/06/lost-sleep-violent-outbursts-children-cope-with-gun-violence-trauma/

Then of course, there's @HDruzin. Heath showed up a terrific print reporter, and now is a pretty boss multimedia journalist IMHO. He also covers things with grace and compassion that many overlook:

https://gunsandamerica.org/story/19/11/25/adult-onset-hunters-key-to-funding-conservation/
https://gunsandamerica.org/story/19/08/30/eagles-and-grizzlies-are-dying-conservationists-want-hunters-to-help-make-it-stop/

It is also worth noting, especially during this period of #socialdistancing, that for the last 2 years, @GunsReporting has operated almost entirely remotely.

It's hard.

[cont.] It requires extra care and compassion to run a newsroom at a distance. People's true colors come through. And leaders rise to the top.

I've learned: It's worth giving each other extra grace and understanding,

even on deadline,

especially during edits.

I am leaving all these wonderful people in really good hands.

The "Digital Boss Queen" (tm @taylordobbs) keys are now in the far better care of @dawntheapl. Who is terrific, radiant and I am so so glad we have brought into the public media world.

And these amazing reporters & many many more including @hadysauce, @jasondeb & @LeighSPaterson are in the very capable hands of @ACVTweets & our *fearless* leader @JeremyBernfeld.

And I have conned the incredible @fps5016 into running our Spanish-language effort w/ @mayepri.

And I am taking a bit of a break: 2 beautiful, breaking-news-free days.

Then, I am off to @npr to work with the always inspiring @TamarCharney & her radiant team on @nprone.

Plus I get to be @jonathanpb & @alanawise_'s coworkers again!

Thank you for coming to my Ted Talk.