Aug 18, 2025 By John Sacco 3 min read

Some, when contemplating the notion of retirement, change their minds, much like the weather.

The idea can run hot and cold.

Not Kristin Emery. When she decided to retire from her journalistic and broadcasting career – which includes a lengthy stint as a meteorologist – she was as resolute as a 50 mph wind.

Emery, after 37 years in the business – the last 13 at KDKA-TV in Pittsburgh — is retiring at the end of the month.

She and her husband, Craig, are moving to Southeast Florida, where they will live in a condo, play golf, travel and enjoy their pool.

“The decision started about five years ago,” said Emery, a 1984 graduate of Washington High School. “We got married three years ago, dated for six years ahead of that and were friends three years.

“We knew we were going to get married, and he said he only wanted to work five more years and wanted to retire and said we could both do it. We sat down, looked at everything, crunched numbers and started planning. We didn’t set a hard date but within five years. When I signed my last contract three years ago, I knew it was the last one I’d ever sign.”

The couple is moving next month, and Craig will officially retire from his job in medical sales at year’s end.

“I could have kept working because I love what I do, being on air, preparing forecasts and working with my colleagues. We are just prepared to not work anymore.

“I’ve worked early in the morning, nights, holidays, in severe weather and so on. It’s time.”

Emery’s journalistic career began with a three-month stint at WJPA radio. During her career, she worked as a reporter, anchor, writer and eventually meteorologist.

She’s worked in Steubenville, Ohio; Fort Myers, Fla.; Allentown; Charleston, W.Va.; Raleigh, N.C.; Baltimore; Toledo, Ohio, and finally at KDKA in Pittsburgh.

Emery has also been active in local theater.

“Most rewarding is really getting to know people and that they are watching,” Emery said. “Knowing they trust you and count on you hits home.

“The years spent being a reporter and the storytelling were great. It always amazed me that people, even at their worst points or lowest moments, would still talk to me.”

One of the most important dilemmas to work out was how the couple would remain in touch with their beloved West Virginia University football.

Emery graduated from WVU with a journalism degree and earned her meteorology degree through Mississippi State University.

But Emery is a devout Mountaineer. The couple are longtime season ticket owners.

They have a different, shared, season ticket plan now and will return to the area for a handful of Mountaineers’ games.

“That was a big question,” Emery admits. “We’ll be back up and I’ll probably march with the alumni band at least this year.”

And she will continue to do some freelance writing to keep her hand in the business.

“We’re looking forward to this,” Emery said. “I am fulfilled. I always wanted to be a news reporter. Not for glamour. It’s a hard business. You must want to work. You could have never thought the twist and turns it took me. I wouldn’t have ever predicted.”