Jackson County Legislature honors Carolyn Long ahead of her retirement from KCTV5

JACKSON COUNTY, Mo. (KCTV) - On Friday, a special Jackson County honor for longtime KCTV5 News Anchor Carolyn Long: a resolution recognizing her retirement and service to the County.

Next Friday is Long’s last day after nearly 30 years with KCTV5.

Jackson County Legislature Chairman DaRon McGee said this meeting was to ensure she was honored before she says goodbye.

“You cannot think about Kansas City without Carolyn Long,” said Jackson County Legislature Chairman DaRon McGee.

Long has spent countless hours behind the anchor desk and out in the field.

“It has been awesome by the true definition of that word, awesome,” said KCTV5 News Anchor Carolyn Long.

During the reading, McGee shared how Long has not only been a major voice in the community, but also given back through different nonprofits like Wayside Waifs and the Down Syndrome Guild of Greater Kansas City.

“From Super Bowls to tragedies, to anything that has happened, bad weather, she has been the face of sort of reason and information for many folks in this community and so to see her gone is to see sort of to see a trusted stalworth in this community go away and not that change is bad but it is gonna be different without her so we just wanted to show our appreciation of her from the county,” said Chairman McGee.

She said she had never expected so much love and a full embrace from not only her coworkers, but the metro, too.

“You forget that people are out there really watching, and so to get these messages from viewers that say you know we watch you every night or whatever, it is just so endearing and so amazing and I will miss that,” said Long.

As she prepares for her last week, she says she is staying present and absorbing it all.

She said she wouldn’t have her long-standing career without her dad. He spent 31 years as a school principal with perfect attendance.

“I learned from the best, he taught me a work ethic and a stick-to-it-ness that has never left me, and I think when I got to channel 5, I thought this is it,” said Long.

A trusted source of news in Kansas City that will be so dearly missed.

“She has just been a stalwart of providing information, and she feels like a part of our family,” said McGee.

That trust, Long said, means everything and all anyone can wish for in a broadcast career.

Help wish her well as she gets ready to retire here.

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