Jim Shaw, news director at KVRR, has announced he is resigning from the Fargo, ND, FOX affiliate.
Shaw has led the news department since it launched in 2000. KVRR said his last day is Friday.
“It was a very, very difficult decision to make,” Shaw told The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead. He then described how the newsroom reacted after he announced his decision. “I was crying, they were crying, a very emotional day.”
Although he is recovering from complications stemming from an intestinal infection, Shaw said he decided he needs more time to fully recover and regain his energy.
“I don’t have a full tank of gas in me,” he said. “I’m running with less than a full tank.”
Shaw was able to return to work a couple of months ago following a medical leave, but said he doesn’t have the energy to be as engaged as he would like.
“I don’t want people to think I’m on my death bed or anything like that,” he said, chuckling. “If I was, I wouldn’t be working.”
Shaw stressed that the decision was his, reached this weekend in consultation with his wife. “There was absolutely no pressure from anyone,” he said.
The decision is not without risks, he acknowledged, since he has no future job lined up and faces medical bills.
“It’s tough to walk away from a job I love,” he said. “I love being in the news ‘biz.’ ”