Veteran broadcaster Don Elkins Maryland bound
Posted on Saturday, January 6, 2007
Local commentator Don Elkins is preparing to leave Northwest Arkansas to take a job as anchor for a Maryland TV station. Elkins is taking a job with WBOC-TV, a CBS / FOX affiliate located in Salisbury, Md. He said that while Friday was his last time to broadcast on News / Talk 1030 KFAY-AM, he will likely continue his Web site, www. arkansastonight. com, after he is situated in his new job. Many know him for his work at of KNWA, where he was anchor until May of 2006. He has also written a column for the Northwest Arkansas Times and has been a consultant for the Fayetteville School District for its show "In Focus," which airs on Channel 14. Elkins said that while he is excited about the new job and the challenges it will bring with it," I've made a lot really close friends here and will be sorry to leave them. "At this point, Elkins said that he's not planning on getting as involved in his new community as he has become in Fayetteville, but won't rule it out. He said he is looking forward to not having to get up at 5 a.m. as he has for the past two-and-a-half years to be on the morning radio.
"It's not breaking my heart that I don't have to do that again," Elkins said.
However, Elkins said that his new TV station is affiliated with a radio station, so "we'll just have to wait and see."
Elkins said that while the new station is in a smaller market than here, it competes with larger stations in Baltimore and Washington, D. C., and is broadcast in Delaware and Virginia. The company is building a $ 7 million studio complex, has a helicopter and, he said, it being "a number one station - that's a good thing as well."
The industry being what it is, Elkins said, he would never rule out moving back to the area. He said that he and his wife expected to be here for quite a while and have enjoyed having their children in Washington Elementary.
Elkins said that the new job wasn't something he had sought out, but a result of having "friends of friends of friends," running the station. He said that, while he wasn't planning on the job offer, he can't imagine doing anything else.
"I'm a journalist," he said, though he admits he was honored when he was asked by the Democratic Party of Arkansas to run for congress.
Elkins said that he and his wife will continue "going through the whole process to convince ourselves that we are moving," and, hopefully, survive the move. The area and its residents, however, have had a great impact on him, he said, both in the positive support and constructive criticism.
"I couldn't possibly say thanks enough or say how much I respect the folks that live here," he said.
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