Intern-al Affairs: Happy Trails

Intern-al Affairs is the weekly blog for Oklahoma Today summer intern Haley Humphrey. Check back each week as she explores Oklahoma's past, present, and future. Read her previous “Intern-al Affairs” entries here:

Sharing the Light

In the Cards

Hidden Histories

Unforgettable Heights

Cedar Stories

Intern-Al Affairs: The Lipizzans Part 1

Intern-Al Affairs: The Lipizzans Part 2

Faster than the blink of an eye it seems, my time with Oklahoma Today is up, my friends. Thank you all for following me on my journey of exploring Oklahoma’s past and bringing my perspective to the state’s present.

Despite mostly working from home, to say my time with the magazine has been eventful would be quite the understatement. Researching and fact-checking is no quick excursion.

The staff at Oklahoma Today exceeded the expectations I had before of fact-checkers. Seeing their dedication to ensuring each issue of the magazine is published without mistakes has been inspiring, to say the very least. I wish more publications set aside the time to check facts like this.

Attention to detail is how I will describe the magazine to others at the conclusion of my internship. Experiencing firsthand how important double-checking and even triple-checking is has given me a greater appreciation for the work that I will take to my future endeavors.

Although I enjoyed learning more about how Oklahoma Today checks facts, as well as writing my weekly blogs and finding events throughout Oklahoma, I missed the feeling of working on a hard news story. While the magazine offered a longer deadline, I missed the hustle and bustle of obtaining news and the challenge that comes with churning it out to the public as quickly as they need to know about it.

I missed getting ink on my hands after looking at a newspaper that was just published, knowing that the content included in its pages was pertinent to the reader who picks it up next.

Newspapers will always be where my heart resides. I’m happy to report I accepted a full-time position as news editor of Mustang News and staff writer for the Yukon Review. A quick plug: be sure to subscribe to these publications.

A note to the Oklahoma Today editors, thank you for choosing me. Thank you for entrusting me to look over the magazine and create content for it. I have appreciated the opportunity to be your summer editorial intern and wish you all the very best because that is what you deserve and more.

A last note to you, the reader, share your light with those around you, and make as many connections as you possibly can.

Stay well, Oklahoma—you are in good hands.

Written By

Greg Elwell

Greg Elwell served as research editor and web editor of Oklahoma Today from 2018-2023. He also has worked for newspapers, medical research organizations, and government institutions.