from Kevin Allen of USA TODAY,

...14 months later, I was working permanently for USA TODAY, not the Times-Herald. I’ve thought about that day often this past week as I contemplated that my USA TODAY career is ending after 34 years. Friday is my last day.

The details of my departure aren’t interesting or unique. You’ve heard the story before. Shrinking industry. Staff reduction. Many friends have left the business under similar circumstances. Now it’s my turn.

Rather than dwell on those events, I choose to be grateful for the years I’ve had at the nation’s newspaper. From the minute I sat in a USA TODAY desk, I was proud to be Kevin Allen of USA TODAY. I refuse to revise my feelings just because my time is up.

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