Veteran Political Reporter John Hill To Retire
by Greg Hilburn - News Star (excerpt)

John Hill, Gannett Louisiana's Baton Rouge capital bureau chief, has announced that he will retire after 38 years as a reporter and columnist.

Hill, 62, has covered six Louisiana governors beginning with John McKeithen and ending with Kathleen Blanco.

He was inducted into the LSU Manship School of Communications Hall of Fame in 2004.

"I've always been fascinated by people who pursue power," said Hill, a Bastrop native who began his career at The News-Star before eventually covering politics for all five of Gannett's Louisiana newspapers, including The Daily Advertiser.

Hill, whose retirement is effective on Aug. 17, said he believes reporters are the eyes and ears of citizens.

"I grew up in the generation hoping to make a difference, and I've always felt like we should be the citizens' representatives when we're sitting in a meeting room or covering a press conference," he said.

Hill also covered seminal events in Louisiana like Edwards' fall and hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

"It's been a privilege to see history unfold and report it," he said.