Longtime WAFB weathercaster Diane Deaton is calling it quits next week.

She has been at the Baton Rouge station for almost 40 years and says that when she first began in the news business, the role of weather reporter hadn't really been defined yet.

"They just looked for somebody who looked all right on TV and who could kind of speak and who could fill three minutes," said Deaton, who began her career in Missouri.

"It wasn't the critical, go-to-the-top-of-the show it is now," she said. "So much is dependent on the weather — and weather changes so quickly."

Deaton, who's 68, said she plans to stay in Baton Rouge.

She won't miss getting up at about 2:30 a.m. on weekdays to be ready for the 4:30 morning show, she said.

But it might take her awhile to get used to having more free time, she said.

"I'm not used to relaxing," Deaton said. 

H/T The Advocate