Michael Armstrong Says Goodbye To News 9

[Plutonic Panda]

"OKLAHOMA CITY - News 9 Meteorologist Michael Armstrong delivered his final forecast Friday. He's leaving Griffin Communications to pursue a new passion: working in the ministry at Henderson Hills Baptist Church in Edmond.
Michael began his career at News 9 as a storm tracker in 1999. He spent the next 14 years becoming one of the state's most trusted meteorologists, thanks to the guidance of his mentor, Gary England.

Michael says he'll miss his News 9 family, but he's so happy to embrace and share his love of Christ as the Director of Church Life Ministries at Henderson Hills Baptist Church. "

-http://www.news9.com/story/23360800/michael-armstrong-says-goodbye-to-news-9

Didn't see this coming. As I've said, I would've preferred him as Gary England's replacement(well, you can't replace Gary, but you get the idea). Wish him the best of luck.

[MonkeesFan]

Not a big loss

[Plutonic Panda]

I liked him. I haven't been really watching the news lately anyways, except for when I browse around online, but I think he was great and calm.

[ou48A]

Not a big loss

Actually I think his ways of doing things will be missed and this is a bigger loss than most know.
I would really like to see CH's 4 or 5 hire him even if its only part time.

[venture]

Found out about this awhile ago. We've discussed it in the Gary thread also IIRC. I don't really see any room for him in the current market unless someone else leaves from 4 or 5. Personally I can't see him going to 4 with the Morgasm crowd.

[zookeeper]

I'll miss him. He handled severe weather coverage with a calmness without ever downplaying the seriousness.

That video that Panda posted. Wow. No doubt how he feels about Gary England! He was doing fine until he got to that part.

Best wishes and good luck to you, Michael.

[TaoMaas]

I would really like to see CH's 4 or 5 hire him even if its only part time.

Television is one of those industries that demands a lot of a person's time. You miss a lot of school plays, birthday parties, and family holidays...sometimes, without any notice. I overheard a couple of former news videographers talking about their new jobs away from the broadcast stations. One was telling the other, "And when the weather gets bad, instead of calling me in...they send me home!" The other guy said, "I know, dude! Me, too!" lol They were also talking about going home at 5 o'clock, being off on the weekends and holidays, knowing in advance when they'd have to work late...things most of us take for granted in our jobs.

[drum4no1]

Television is one of those industries that demands a lot of a person's time. You miss a lot of school plays, birthday parties, and family holidays...sometimes, without any notice. I overheard a couple of former news videographers talking about their new jobs away from the broadcast stations. One was telling the other, "And when the weather gets bad, instead of calling me in...they send me home!" The other guy said, "I know, dude! Me, too!" lol They were also talking about going home at 5 o'clock, being off on the weekends and holidays, knowing in advance when they'd have to work late...things most of us take for granted in our jobs.

Exactly why I left. Worked 36 hours straight during the Christmas eve blizzard. Barely ate , didnt sleep. Missed Christmas with my family. Not even a thank you from my employer. Just bitching when I turned in my ot...

[zookeeper]

Television is one of those industries that demands a lot of a person's time. You miss a lot of school plays, birthday parties, and family holidays...sometimes, without any notice. I overheard a couple of former news videographers talking about their new jobs away from the broadcast stations. One was telling the other, "And when the weather gets bad, instead of calling me in...they send me home!" The other guy said, "I know, dude! Me, too!" lol They were also talking about going home at 5 o'clock, being off on the weekends and holidays, knowing in advance when they'd have to work late...things most of us take for granted in our jobs.

Exactly why I left. Worked 36 hours straight during the Christmas eve blizzard. Barely ate , didnt sleep. Missed Christmas with my family. Not even a thank you from my employer. Just bitching when I turned in my ot...

I can certainly understand. Media is a weird business, it pays in affiliation with influence and glamour rather than $$$$ (for most anyway).

And as we saw in that goodbye video clip, Michael has a large family all youngish school age and younger. Yes, sometimes "real life" is more important. It's back to that do we "Work To Live or Live To Work?"

[ou48A]

Television is one of those industries that demands a lot of a person's time. You miss a lot of school plays, birthday parties, and family holidays...sometimes, without any notice. I overheard a couple of former news videographers talking about their new jobs away from the broadcast stations. One was telling the other, "And when the weather gets bad, instead of calling me in...they send me home!" The other guy said, "I know, dude! Me, too!" lol They were also talking about going home at 5 o'clock, being off on the weekends and holidays, knowing in advance when they'd have to work late...things most of us take for granted in our jobs.

I am sure you are correct. I'm just hoping he would come back for selfish reasons.
He is very good a keeping people safe and calming down those who need it.

[MWCGuy]

I will definitely miss Michael on overnights. If a storm was moving through the city making nine kinds of noise, he could take the sting out of it. He calmly explained what was going on and he would note if anything dangerous was coming. The best thing is, he would not keep the airwaves tied up unless a real threat was present. He popped in with a quick run down of what was going on and would be clear long before the commercial break was over.