My Edmond Outlook: Steve Johnson
Name:
Steve Johnson, Managing Editor at KFOR
What exactly does a managing editor do?
Basically I’m in charge of the day to day news gathering operation. I help decide what we cover. I assign reporters and photogs to stories and I’m also in the 4Warn Storm Center during severe weather. I help coordinate where the storm chasers and Bob Moore Chopper 4 need to be.
How long have you worked there?
I started working at KFOR in 1994. I left for a while in the fall of 1995, but came
back in the spring of 1996.
What do you love most about your job?
I love that no two days are the same. I also enjoy the
excitement of learning new things and new technology.
Have you met any one famous?
I’ve met several politicians and entertainers. Recently, Garth Brooks
and his wife, Trisha Yearwood, stopped by the station to record
some promos. They were very nice.
Describe your experience working through the OKC bombing.
It was tough. Extreme working conditions, long days & sad stories. I
spent three weeks doing 12 hours on/12 hours off in one of our live
trucks. The full effect of the event didn’t hit me until several weeks
later when I was reading a news magazine that had pictures of
the Murrah site, victims, etc. I started to cry like a baby.
You also helped film the May 3 tornado. What was that like?
Wild, wild day. The Chopper pilot and I started off when the
tornado formed near the towns of Cement and Cyril. We followed
it up to Tinker AFB. At some point, I looked out my window and
saw a neighborhood destroyed. I shouted to the pilot to look
down. The sight was eerie. We saw people crawling through the
debris, tending to neighbors, helping out. A sight I will never forget.
The video from the helicopters no doubt saved lives. People could
see how bad the situation was. They saw the video, heard the
warnings and lives were spared.
How have these experiences shaped you as a person?
I hope it’s made me a stronger, yet more compassionate person.
What do you like most about living in Edmond?
My wife and I built our home in 2001. Most of the area around it was still farmland.
How it’s grown in 10 years is amazing. Its a great place to raise a family. My wife and
I are blessed with two girls. They both go to West Field. We love the school and love
the area. Edmond has it all. Good homes, shopping and great places to eat.
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