Signed Off in LA
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KCBS/KCAL Reporter Crystal Cruz worked her final shift at the CBS duopoly in Los Angeles.
Cruz is a California native and before heading to LA, she worked at She’s reported for WGCL in Atlanta, KTVK in Phoenix, KGTV in San Diego, and KMIR in Palm Springs.
She joined the CBS O&O in 2013.
Cruz did her last live shot for the station last night.
This is the email she sent her co-workers:
After graduating from UC Irvine, I got an internship w/ a surf magazine in San Diego in the mid 2000’s. When that wrapped I got another internship w/ KGTV10 also in SD. I got my first paying job in TV there as a morning video editor working under my first boss Pat Givans (yep, he works here). I bought my own camera, shot a story & they aired it on a Sunday.
I applied to a Yuma station as a reporter and got a no. I applied to a cable station in Temecula. They said yes. In the field, I followed Greg Mills and his photog Scott Moulton around copying their style. I had no idea what I was doing. I told Greg I wanted to be him one day.
I then applied to a Palm Springs station and was told no. A year later I applied again and was offered an assignment editor position. I took it. I brought my camera and shot stories they aired. In 2008 they hired me as an MMJ. A year later I was hired in Atlanta as an MMJ.
In 2011, I got my first reporting gig w/ a cameraman in Phoenix. I knew I wanted to be in LA. I chased then ND, Scott Diener around by email and in person at NAHJ. I told him in 2013 I was coming to meet with other ND’s in LA and needed to see him too (I had no other meetings lined up. Everyone said no.) Diener agreed.
A few wks later, I was offered the Inland Empire reporting gig. Greg Mills held that seat for years and was now in LA. My dream came true.
Two years later, I asked to fill in on the entertainment beat for 3 months. Then ND, Bill Dallman said yes.
4 years later, I asked to come into LA and report. Dallman said yes.
A year after that I asked to fill-in anchor. Our ND, Tara Finestone took a chance and gave me a shot.
I later asked to fill in on weather and Tara gave me another shot.
Here’s what you came for.
A year ago, I thought of an idea outside of TV news and reached out to a company with the pitch.
It’s now time for me to jump.
I’m a crazy dreamer. That’s how I got here. I ask for everything and have been told no and of course yes. But windows and doors are meant to open. If you don’t ask you don’t get is my motto ;)
It’s been a great ride. I’m grateful for it all!
