I grew up in the Midwest, with dreams of becoming an engineer and pilot. But, I got my first taste of broadcasting in high school at our ten watt radio station and from then on I was hooked. In college I worked at two different radio stations doing everything from turning on the transmitter Sunday mornings, to spinning records, writing news and even reading the obituaries on air. That latter job may sound macabre, but the switchboard would light up if we didn't do them, or if we mispronounced a name. After college, I got a job writing radio news at the princely sum of $4.50 per hour. It was a great experience. I learned how to write breaking news and long form stories that looked into the deeper issues of crime and poverty, and sports versus education. I worked with some of the best broadcasters in the business and picked their brains for every bit of information about our industry. Fortunately, they were more than willing to help and I can't thank them enough.
In 1989 I took my first TV job in St. Louis working midnight to 6 a.m., doing 30 second live news cut-ins at the top of every hour. It wasn't glamorous, but it got my foot in the door. After six months of volunteering to go out on every story, and do every interview, and generally making a pest of myself, I was hired full-time; undoubtedly just to shut me up.
In 1994, I joined ABC7, and it has been a dream come true. My family simply loves the Bay Area and I love working with the professionals that make ABC7, one of America's best sources of news and information; and believe me only professionals should see each other without makeup at 3:30 in the morning. That's when we'd arrive to prepare for the ABC7 Morning News. The newscast is as fresh and fun now as it was when I joined the program in 1996.
BTW, when I'm not on the air I'm probably buried in some history book or out throwing a football around with my kids.
I enjoy reading your comments, almost as much as I enjoy a good book. Find me on Facebook! You can also follow me on Twitter.
Eric Thomas is a reporter and weekend anchor for ABC7 News. He also reports on aviation and the military.
ARCHIVES
BART to consider ordinance banning panhandlers, performers in stations and trains
A BART board member from the East Bay wants to draw up an ordinance that would do just that, saying it's something her constituents consistently complain about.
Pacific Gas & Electric warns of heat-related outages during heat wave
EVEN COSTCO HAD A POWER OUTAGE: Pacific Gas and & Electric is warning that the current hot spell may result in heat-related equipment failures and power outages. The East Bay has experienced three straight days of triple digit temperatures.
East Bay tries to keep cool with another day of blazing heat
It was another day of blazing hot temperatures in the East Bay. Surprisingly, Contra Costa Fire officials say calls for heat exhaustion and heat stroke have not gone up -- yet. But most residents are still looking for ways to keep cool.
Triple-digit East Bay heat causes problems for commuters, workers, and schools
HEAT WREAKS HAVOC: In the East Bay, triple-digit temperatures are delaying the start of some schools, forcing workers to take precautions, and apparently making for many uncomfortable BART rides.
Massive fire burns community arts space in Oakland
Oakland fire investigators now think the three-alarm blaze that tore through an artists' workspace in the Fruitvale District was probably sparked accidentally.
