Live from WGCU News, I’m Rachel Iacovone, and today is the last time you’ll hear me say that.
I am moving to the morning shift to be the John Davis (aka Morning Edition host) at WPLN – the NPR station in Nashville, Tennessee.
I’m telling you this because, you dear listeners, have been with me for the last three years from my start as a student reporter to my time as producer of Gulf Coast Live to now as your All Things Considered host.
I have enjoyed riding with you on every commute home, on every trip to the grocery store and on every weekend weather forecast.
Because of your listenership in my both long and short time here, you supported a total 13 awards from me – from Edward R. Murrows to Associated Press Awards to PRNDIs.
And, they all came from covering your communities, whether that was recovery efforts in Everglades City after Hurricane Irma or the soaring graduation rate at Immokalee High School. Don’t even get me started on Pickleball.
Your stories I will carry with me for the rest of not only my career – but the rest of my life. Siempre te llevo en mi corazón.
Southwest Florida is the only home I’ve ever known, and no distance will ever change that.
In what feels like a shameless plug now, I have to mention my Twitter in case you want to keep up with me after today. It’s just my name, as you’ve heard me spell so many times now on air. It’s @racheliacovone. That’s I-A-C-O-V-O-N-E.
And, now, one last time, everybody. Say it with me. “This is WGCU News.”