BREAKING NEWS!!!!

By Elizabeth Hashagen

There is nothing like breaking news when you're a journalist!

Don't get me wrong: I love doing feature stories--being there for the memorable moments of someone's life and getting to show the world all they've done is so rewarding, BUT as soon as I get the call that I'm needed for breaking news, I get a rush.

Not to say I'm an adrenaline junkie--but I love skydiving, scuba,and living life to the extreme--so when it's a fly by the seat of your pants opportunity, I love to jump in with both feet.

And that's exactly what today had in store for me.

I came in thinking I was in for a day of meetings.

Instead I've been sitting at the anchor desk for more than 2 hours now!

When we first began our breaking news coverage, we had very few facts to go on.

Possibly 2 bank robbers on the run--they ditched their car at Nassau University Medical Center and there was a large police presence in the area.

That's it.

We had 2 reporters heading to the scene, and Chopper 12 flying, but we weren't there yet.

So Elisa DiStefano pulled up the traffic cameras in the area so we could see what it looked like.

People called East Meadow high school to see if they were going into lockdown.

I headed to the district website to find out what tests kids were taking or if there was any info for parents on the site that we could let them know about. The high school and the entire district ended up going into lockdown mode.. no one in or out!

Once we broke in--the information started flowing.

My producer, Erin Colton (yes, she also anchors sports too .. talk about talent!!!) was giving me updates about who is on the phone--new information from police--now the reporter is ready to talk to us on the phone--now we have the live truck ready to go--now we have a hospital spokesperson...now now now...

Phew! Within minutes of the police putting the cuffs on the alleged bank robber, we had it on the air with our chopper live on the scene, the office of Emergency management live on the phone to confirm, and even Sean Bergin talking to a witness to the whole thing.  The man actually picked up 3 grand that the robber threw in the street! We even had the head of the hospital talking about all the patients and the police command center inside!

What a day!!!