405magazine July 16

Page 26

in the 405 CONVERSATION

Start Spreading the News Reporting in with early bird Lacie Lowry W HIL E MOST OK L A HOM A NS are still sleeping, snug in their cozy beds, Lacie Lowry is hitting the shower, doing her hair and makeup and preparing to start her day. As anchor for “News 9 This Morning,” Lowry is up at 3 a.m. and on the air by 5 a.m. It’s a strange shift – one where she is eating chicken or spaghetti at 8:30 a.m. while everyone else is having donuts or omelets. But Lowry is following her dream, enjoying the life of a TV anchor and reporter. Her stint in Oklahoma began six years ago working in Tulsa for Griffin Communications’ “News on 6.” Eventually she headed down the turnpike for sister station KWTV and never looked back. Did you always want to be in television news? “I wish I could say I wanted to be a journalist ever since I was a little girl, but it was much less glamorous for me. I thought I wanted to be a doctor for a while, but then realized I can’t stand seeing blood and broken bones. I actually went to college not knowing what I wanted to do and finally had to list a major. I figured if I love writing and I’m pretty good at it, and I also love interacting with people, maybe I should give the reporter thing a try. I’m also an athlete, so I started off as a sports writer for the college newspaper, and when I graduated I tried to get a sports reporter job. But those are few and far between, so I took a news reporter job and my career took off in that Describe your perfect day off. “Fishing all day long, dinner on a direction. God’s plan is always better than anything we have in mind.” patio and a glass of red wine to celebrate another perfect day in the A friendly rivalry exists between Oklahoma and Texas, and to a books. Boom!” certain extent, Oklahoma City and Tulsa. Have you noticed that? So you like being outside? “I’ve always loved the outdoors, but I’ve “Yes! Forget the OU/Texas rivalry – the OKC/Tulsa competition is always developed a love for hunting and fishing since I moved to Oklahoma. hot! Tulsa is pretty, everything is green and the hills paint a beautiful Fishing and being on the water is so relaxing. I even backdrop for this gem of a small city. There’s a huge noodle, which is hand-fishing for catfish. My biggest emphasis on local flavor, art, music, and it doesn’t take is a 30-pounder!” a long time to get around or get to surrounding areas. Summer nights or a winter wonderland – what’s OKC is this huge, spread out area that offers great EMBRACED your pick? “Summer – and any setting where flipentertainment and way more options than Tulsa. The flops are appropriate. It’s the one time of year my Thunder is the heartbeat of the city, and the downghostly pale complexion gets a little bit of color, and I town renovation is exciting. It’s flat (no hills), but the don’t look like death walking.” different districts certainly aren’t. OKC has these great SECOND FAMILY Penn Square or Quail Springs, where are we pockets of activity that offer something for everyone. I L ACIE L OW RY more likely to find you? “Quail Springs, because it’s love both cities.” close to me and has everything I need. That’s another You’re on the air so early; what time do you go local rivalry: Quail Springs versus Penn Square.” to bed? “I split my sleep up so I don’t have to go to bed at 6 p.m., which What’s something about you that might surprise our readers and means an afternoon nap and then I hit the hay at 9:30 each night. your viewers? “I blare country music from my car stereo when I peel Surprisingly, it’s working … and I’m not even using coffee to do it.” out of work. Of course any flashback ’90s music also takes me back to Anchor or reporter – which do you prefer? “I’ve done both since my roots. I love all things Garth Brooks. ‘Calling Baton Rouge’ is my the start of my career, and I truly love both. I’ve always wanted to favorite song. My dream came true when I got to interview him before anchor a morning show, and now that it has happened, I love anchoring his Tulsa show last year, then I got tickets to that concert.” more each day.” When your family visits from Texas, what do they think about When you’re out in public, do people do a double-take? “Lots of our city and state? “They love how friendly everyone in Oklahoma double-takes. I love when people come up and talk to me when I’m out City is. This community has embraced me with open arms and has and about. It means people watch News 9, so I’m truly thankful they really become my second family. And that is so important when your recognize me from my job. I love mingling with viewers and thanking support circle is in another state. I love Oklahoma.” - MARK BEUTLER them for watching our station.”

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405 MAGAZINE JULY 2016

PHOTO BY CHARLIE NEUENSCHWANDER

“This community me has with open arms and has really become my .”


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