Ashley Korslien is leaving KGW to take a new job as communications manager with the Clark County Sheriff's Office.Clark County Sheriff's Office2,083 sharesBy Kristi Turnquist | The Oregonian/OregonLive
In another case of a recognizable local news staffer announcing their departure, Ashley Korslien is leaving Portland’s KGW-TV to take a new job as communications manager with the Clark County Sheriff’s Office.
Korslien shared the news that she was leaving the NBC affiliate on her Facebook and Instagram accounts Monday, writing, in part, “I’ll be taking a job outside of the news business, closer to my home. It’s a decision I’ve thought very carefully about for quite a while. And it certainly isn’t easy to walk away from a career I’ve loved deeply.”
Korslien joined KGW in January 2013, and has worked as an anchor, reporter and the host of true-crime podcasts.
According to an announcement from the Clark County Sheriff’s Office, Korslien graduated from the University of Montana. Prior to coming to KGW, Korslien was a public affairs intern with the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office in California, and moved into broadcast journalism at stations in Great Falls, Montana and Spokane, Washington.
In the announcement from the Clark County Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff John Horch said, “I am excited to have such a highly qualified professional in Ashley join the Clark County Sheriff’s Office Team. Her passion and talent will only help our agency make better connections with the community.”
According to the announcement, the communications manager is a new position at the Sheriff’s Office. In September, another KGW veteran reporter, Mike Benner, joined the Portland Police Bureau as communications director.
More on local TV news Portland’s KGW-TV announces changes to morning and evening news anchor teamsKOIN-TV’s Ken Boddie promoted to political director, will step away from morning showKGW-TV’s Laural Porter returns, but not to regular evening news anchor duties
The news of Korslein’s new job comes just as longtime KGW anchor Brenda Braxton announced that she is also leaving the station, with her last day coming on Nov. 22.
In her social media posts, Korslien wrote, “I will be forever grateful for my decade+ at KGW, for the flexibility and creative challenges my managers have provided me over the last several years and for all the professional relationships and personal friendships I’ve formed. In my nearly 15 years in television news, I’ve interviewed celebrities, politicians and ordinary people doing extraordinary things. I’ve been able to work on award-winning podcasts with some of the most talented people in the business. I’ve told stories that, hopefully, create impactful change in our communities. I’ve been interviewed by various national networks and publications about my work and I’ve been fortunate enough to emcee dozens of events for incredibly meaningful causes.”
Korslien thanked her colleagues and viewers, writing, “That’s the part that makes this so tough.”
“Change is hard,” Korslien wrote, “and while it’s bittersweet to leave a career I’ve worked tirelessly at, I feel this new chapter will be what’s best for my family. And that’s what is most important in this season of life. The daytime Vancouver to Portland commute has become increasingly taxing as my twins started kindergarten this fall, so I’m looking forward to this next step.”
Korslien wrote that she will be leaving KGW at the end of November. The Clark County Sheriff’s Office announcement says she will begin her job there on Dec. 4.
— Kristi Turnquist
503-221-8227; kturnquist@oregonian.com; @Kristiturnquist
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