Do we ever say goodbye to people?

It’s almost cliché to say the world is more interconnected today than ever.
But it’s true.

With social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter and many folks just a short text message away, it’s easy to maintain a friendship with a person halfway across the country.
So as I say goodbye to friends, colleagues and all others in Amarillo, it’s comforting to remember I can easily keep in touch with everyone I want to.
Today was my last day as staff writer for the Amarillo Globe-News.

I worked at this newspaper for nearly 3½ years covering health, higher education, cops, courts, business and many general assignments thrown my way.

I worked with some great people and learned and grew a tremendous amount along the way. I am proud of numerous stories I’ve covered and broken as a journalist.

This was my first job out of college. I moved to the Texas Panhandle three weeks after graduating from the University of Georgia to take what I thought was a great opportunity to launch myself.

I wasn’t disappointed.

But it’s time for something different. I’m seeking a more stable industry to try to advance my career.

I start next Monday writing for Chemical & Engineering News, the member publication of the American Chemical Society.

I want to apply my chemistry education to jump into the world of science writing. Washington D.C., where I’ll move later this week, is a Mecca for journalist. It’s time for me to travel to the Holy Land.

I won’t miss the Panhandle winds. I will miss lunch at Sharky’s.
I won’t miss dealing with hospital spokeswomen. I will miss seeing the television news report the same story I broke in that morning’s newspaper.

Thank you to all the kind and generous people I’ve meet.
And remember, if e-mail is too antiquated for you, there’s always Facebook and texting.

‘The news can’t be bought’

Late last week, I pursued a story on an Amarillo doctor who was disciplined by the Texas Medical Board for killing a patient in November 2007.
The doctor, Naeem Khan, now owns Amarillo Urgent Care, a regular advertiser with the Globe-News.
Shortly after I called the clinic to seek comment from Khan for the story, his office administrator called me back to ask a series of questions of me, my reporting and my story.
The woman ended up speaking with one of my editors. That editor spoke with me shortly after getting off the phone with the administrator.
My editor told me to refer all their further calls to her.
Apparently, the administrator reminded my editor that Amarillo Urgent Care spends a lot of money advertising with us.
“Well, the news can’t be bought,” my editor said, relaying her comments to me.
We printed the story on Khan's medical board discipline Friday and a follow up today on his settling a malpractice lawsuit with the family earlier this year.

News organizations – at least those with integrity – don’t allow its organizations advertising dollars or potential advertising dollars influence its news coverage.

Hello (blogging) World

Where do I start?
I was asked to write an opening blog entry to “introduce” myself to readers before I take a dip into a new medium, blogging. One question most out there are wondering is why do I want to start this?
Those who work in the newsroom of the Globe-News recently held a staff meeting to introduce two summer interns. Everyone in the room took turns to introduce themselves and state their job.
I was the fourth person to speak.
“I’m David Pittman. I cover higher education, health and medicine, general business stories.”
My answer drew some chuckles from colleagues, mainly because I have a lot to cover. Inevitably, I don’t have the time or space to do full stories on all issues that come before me.
I envision this blog as a way to serve as an outlet for some issues left uncovered, including the wave of news releases and alerts that always flow in. I can expand upon stories already written about and don’t have space or time to touch on. I can still provide analysis of on-going issues I cover.
The concept of journalists blogging is nothing new in an era when a vast majority of Americans go online for at least part of their news.
This blog will be my attempt to provide more information and insight on a different medium. I’ve already built a large twitter following at twitter.com/David_Pittman.
Stick around. We’ll probably both learn something.