"My wife and I have family in California and are looking at opportunities there, but we're keeping all of our options open," Overall said.
The adage about not leaving a job without having another in line is especially true in this economy, but Overall said he is prepared for the mysteries ahead.
"I would prefer to stay in the industry, but the business is changing: Budgets are getting slashed; many stations have a hiring freeze in place, and I realize I may have come to the end of the road," said Overall. "I believe I still have a lot to offer. I still enjoy the business; I enjoy coaching young reporters and anchors, and I believe I can be an asset to any news operation."
Overall's departure could be a significant loss to KVOA. Upon his arrival in Tucson in July 2006, Overall brought much-needed versatility to the newsroom. He has pinch-hit on a variety of occasions, with stints in pretty much every anchor slot. Overall landed a stable position alongside Martha Vasquez when KVOA added a 4 p.m. newscast, where his experience anchoring morning news programs on KPHO in Phoenix paid dividends. Recently, Overall filled a void on the short-handed sports desk while KVOA looked for a replacement for No. 2 sports reporter Jay Campbell, thus tapping into Overall's sports experience.
At the very least, Overall is one of the most versatile and well-rounded television-news reporters in the market.
"I have truly enjoyed my time in Tucson, and I appreciate the opportunity to work for KVOA," Overall said. "I will miss the town, the station and, most of all, the people."
Meanwhile, KVOA has added a sportscaster: Former KVOA staffer Dan Joseph has returned to the station in a part-time capacity, sitting in on weekend broadcasts. He gives sports director Ryan Recker and Overall something of a reprieve: KVOA lost sports personality Lacee Collins in April. Campbell left in September, and in between, the station did not hire a replacement, leading to Overall's substitution role.
'CITIZEN' CUTS ON THE HORIZON
The Tucson Citizen editorial staff was slated to move forward with its budget cut proposals to parent company Gannett earlier this week.Last month, Gannett informed its newspaper wing of an impending 10 percent operational cutback, to go into play the first of December. Citizen options include a layoff of roughly seven employees, or a proposal to cut pay across the workforce by 10 percent per employee.
The Citizen laid off three employees earlier this fall.
