In a second-floor conference room at WEEK-TV, new morning anchor and reporter Devin Brooks relaxes for a moment before returning to the newsroom.
BILL KNIGHT
Broadcast journalists have to wear so many hats in their job, it’s like an explosion in a Lids store, whether at NorthPark Mall in the Quad Cities or Northwoods Mall in Peoria.
Devin Brooks has worked as a reporter, producer, anchor and more in the Quad Cities for years, and now hangs his hats in Peoria.
A graduate of Western Illinois University, Brooks was at WQAD-TV 8 in Moline for five years until July 31, and he started at WEEK-TV 25 in Peoria on Aug. 20, a few weeks to pack his belongings, drive 90 miles away a few times, find a new home, adjust and start a new gig. He says he’s found a residence but is still looking for a church.
“I’ve had relatives here, so I was a little familiar with the community, and some family joined me for Gospel Fest here in August, but it’s been a bit of a whirlwind change.”
Growing up in North Central St. Louis, Brooks says he was raised in a big, loving family. Now an award-winning journalist, Brooks has been a member of the Illinois News Broadcasters Association for years, and now serves on INBA’s board. Self-assured and experienced at the age of 27 (so one of his WIU professors had been a student of mine!), he has a helpful sense of curiosity with a healthy dose of humility.
Brooks seemed so eager to please, in fact, in the midst of a busy schedule, he doffed his sport coat and tie and took a break to answer five questions:
1. If you find time — or make time — what do you do?
First, even outside of the job, I like to stay in the know [and] pay attention. What’s going on? I like to play tennis, too. And roller skate.
2. You seem to enjoy all kinds of music. How about country?
Garth Brooks, I guess.
3. Any favorite getaway or travel destination?
Lake of the Ozarks. Definitely.
4. Sometimes journalists have a hard time getting people to open up, and you see yourself as a storyteller, especially with human-interest stories. How do you try to talk with people, especially on camera?
Putting people at ease is important. You have to have a conversation; have sympathy — maybe show there are more similarities than differences between us. We’re all human.
5. When you were a kid, what did you want be when you grew up?
A preacher. Even as a preschooler. When I was in school though, sometimes a teacher would let me [lecture] to a class, dressed in a suitcoat. I liked math and science for a while, too, and when I was a teen, I used to do weather forecasts on my Facebook page, setting up a camera and doing weather reports.
