The Daily Nightly began on May 31, 2005. As Brian wrote in his first post it aims to provide a narrative of the broadcast day and a window into the editorial process at NBC Nightly News. Brian weighs in every weekday and NBC News correspondents and producers post regularly.
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I'm not sure when I became a New Orleanian. It didn’t automatically happen after I moved here last year. New Orleans was just another stop in a broadcast career that’s taken me across the country for the last 17 years. This was a one year assignment for NBC. It was a great assignment and one I personally requested. But nonetheless, this was a stint. And now my time here in the NBC News New Orleans bureau is coming to a close.
At some point, New Orleans became something more than a job to me and my family. I can’t say there was one particular moment when it occurred to us. Instead, it was a collection of moments:
--Like the day last summer my 2-year-old daughter announced: "Claudia like New Orleans";
--That Sunday in October when the Saints turned me (a total non-sports geek) into a die-hard fan;
--The Thursday in January when 5,000 people marched against crime and I felt like I belonged beside them instead of with our camera crews;
--Three weeks ago when our new neighbors came by to make sure we were OK after the tornadoes;
--And last week as I watched my 1-year-old scream with glee during Mardi Gras.
Photo caption: Steve's daughters, Shoshana and Claudia, at Mardi Gras.
Which is not to say that there haven’t been other things that we tried to forget about the last year; the crime, the grindingly slow recovery effort, and the psychological weight of living in a city where so many have lost homes, loved ones or a way of life. But those have been overshadowed by so many more positive experiences.
It truly has been a year that I'll never forget. I've met so many incredible people along the Gulf Coast: Politicians and plain folks, Uptowners and Ninth Warders, Cajuns and Creoles, evacuees and immigrants and everyone in between. I can only hope I’ve made a small difference by helping to tell their stories. Because that is what I set out to do.
If you forgive me for going on a bit longer, I went back to my first post on this blog to remind myself of what I wrote to explain why I came here. Here it is, in part:
"I asked to join this bureau because this is more than a story about a hurricane. This city and this region is a microcosm for every kind of issue we're facing in our country. How well are we prepared as a nation to respond to any kind of disaster, terror attack or epidemic? We're finding that out as we watch the government respond here. How do we as a nation take care of the less fortunate? We're discovering that as we watch faith-based groups, charities, and government agencies rebuild the lives of folks here. What is the best way to rebuild failing school systems, overhaul the insurance industry, revitalize a city's economy, or disrupt a long-standing pattern of violent crime before it has a chance to regain a foothold? You name the issue in your state or community and there are lessons to be learned by watching the stories from here."
So many months later, I still believe that to be true. The story of New Orleans is the story of America and how she cares for her citizens and how those citizens care for each other.
And so, I come full circle by telling you that for the first time in my life, I will become part of the story. My family and I have bought a home and have decided to lay down roots here. We are new New Orleanians. Although I’m leaving NBC, Brian Williams and NBC News have made it clear that they aren’t leaving the story of this city anytime soon. And for that, we, the people of New Orleans, say, "Thank you."
Photo caption: Steve's partner Todd with their masked (and youngest) daughter, Shoshana.
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Early Nightly is up
To Steve & Family:
Welcome home to N'Awlins, dawlins.
(Sent Mar 19, 2007 1:20:56 PM)
Hey, the kids look good in the ladder chair! You picked up on that quick!
Glad to have you...glad to have anybody that gets it. Welcome -- ain't no other place like it in the world.
Ashley Morris, New Orleans (Sent Mar 2, 2007 4:38:09 PM)
Having had the pleasure of visiting my sister there four times in the last 16 odd years I can only express my sadness in how its been let down by the central government: its buck-passing and corruption.Here in Britain, as I expect throughout the world,we're shocked at the world's most powerful country's failure to have prevented this catastrophe-and even worse, to rectify the situation.Having seen the Krewe de Vieaux's take on Mardi Gras recently(couldn't stay for the rest this time)I can tell that the people who remain still have the spirit-and the music and food is still great-to carry on.I heard many stories of the kindness that other Americans showed to those forced out as well as resentment towards overpaid Fema officials and the current firm contracted with the rebuilding(only 5 applications processed!)and can only hope greed and lack of foresight dont combine to turn it into a theme park.Why is there no control on how much landlords can increase rent,or are sanitised gated security guarded suburban communities to be the (nightmare)future?
B.Douglas,Oxford,U.K. (Sent Feb 27, 2007 8:57:29 PM)
The events of 2005 were indeed tragic, but those of us who remain share a special bond. Together we can bring back this extraordinary city. I'm delighted that you have joined the fight. I wouldn't miss it for the world.
Gary Dohanich, New Orleans, LA (Sent Feb 27, 2007 6:56:59 PM)
That's great Steve. New Orleans is a magical place.
(Sent Feb 27, 2007 6:35:56 PM)
I too felt at "home" when I moved here for grad school in 1989. Thanks for your support, and welcome home!
Liz (Sent Feb 27, 2007 12:43:13 PM)
Great to have you, Steve. Your post misted me up. Sounds like we fell in love with the city in a similar way, warts & all, but my affair began in 1991. NO needs the love of all of us who "get it", so I'm glad you're here.
HammHawk (Sent Feb 27, 2007 12:36:45 PM)
Wow Steve! What great news! I always warn newcomers that the city has a way of worming her way into your heart. I am glad to see she still has that effect on people. Now, more than ever, we need new New Orleanians that bring new energy towards the struggle to bring the city back. It is a wonderful magical place, where one has time to greet people on the street and celebrate the fact that we are alive on this earth as a community. Welcome to your family from a native! We are so glad to have you all be part of our world. Let the adventure continue! LOL!
doctorj, Hammond, LA (Sent Feb 26, 2007 6:50:53 PM)
Steve-
Many thanks for your service to us this past year. Your informative posts will be missed.
I was so pleased to re-read your posting about why you went to New Orleans. No one ever better expressed the multiple reasons why the lessons to be learned from NOLA's recovery are so important to ALL Americans.
Aside from the grief and heartache we all experienced empathizing with New Orleaneans as the Katrina story unfolded, the city, unfortunately, has been "Exhibit A" for governmental response to any disaster, be it natural or man-made. I would remind all Americans--there is no place in the country entirely safe from being visited by disaster and thus in need of government assistance. Watch and learn from what unfolds in New Orleans, and stay involved--you might be next.
And thank NBC, and especially Nightly News for keeping us focused on the recovery on the Gulf Coast.
Steve, good luck in your future endeavors and enjoy your new home. Whay don't you post now and then and let us know how you are doing? We'd enjoy hearing from you and of your New Orleans perspective. Thanks again.
Celine, JC-NJ (Sent Feb 26, 2007 3:54:49 PM)
Wow. Cool.
Editor B, New Orleans, La. (Sent Feb 26, 2007 3:47:13 PM)
Welcome to Louisiana! Glad you are staying. :)
(Sent Feb 26, 2007 3:09:27 PM)
Welcome Home, Steve!
Fred Vollman, Jr. New Orleans, Louisiana (Sent Feb 26, 2007 2:09:53 PM)
So happy you decided to stay! Thank you for sharing the stories of the amazing people of the Gulf coast throughout the past year- it sounds like your experience led you to truly learn what it would mean to miss New Orleans. Best wishes and thank you for embracing this amazing city and making it your home- you made a great choice!
Elizabeth, New Orleans, LA (Sent Feb 26, 2007 12:45:35 PM)
Congratulations Steve! You have felt the same pull of New Orleans that my wife and I have felt for the last 20 years. While we can't live there full time at present, there is no doubt we will someday. We visit as often as possible. There is just something so very magical about New Orleans, even with all of her problems. We will be back down again over Easter. Until then, stay well and enjoy your new home.
Larry R., Paducah, KY (Sent Feb 26, 2007 12:40:18 PM)
Good for you! And good for New Orleans!
Katie, San Diego, CA...originally from N.O. (Sent Feb 26, 2007 12:28:23 PM)
Thanks for the wonderful news about you and your family becoming New Orleanians and deciding to stay in that fantastic city! And thanks for sharing the "collection of moments" that helped you decide to become "part of the story." Last but not least, thanks for all of your informative, thought-provoking posts in the past--I hope whoever fills your shoes at NBC's New Orleans Bureau does just as well. Good luck with all of your future endeavors.
Olivia (Sent Feb 26, 2007 12:26:27 PM)
Welcome home Steve.
TG, New Orleans (Sent Feb 26, 2007 12:24:30 PM)
God bless you and your love and understanding of New Orleans, my husband's home. We hope to return someday soon. The city needs more people like you -- who understand the problems, but want to be part of bringing American's greatest city back.
(Sent Feb 26, 2007 11:57:42 AM)
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