After 28 years at WDSU-TV, reporter Heath Allen will retire on September 30th, 2022.Allen started at WDSU in 1994. During his tenure, he has been an assignment editor, an anchor, and the news director before ultimately becoming a reporter on WDSU News This Morning. “There is no greater ambassador for the people of Southeast Louisiana than Heath Allen,” said Mike Neelly, WDSU President and General Manager. “Heath’s extraordinary career and commitment to our community is the gold-standard for what it means to be a local journalist. I am honored to have worked with him and congratulate him on his well-earned retirement.” Over the course of his career at WDSU, Allen has covered countless storms, breaking news stories and has been an instrumental voice for residents on the North Shore of New Orleans. His reporting on Hurricane Katrina was recognized by the state of Louisiana culminating with an invitation to the Governor’s mansion to receive an award for service. During Katrina, Allen and photographer Tom Fitzgerald embedded in St. Bernard parish documenting the storm, the levee-breaks and the historic flooding. Allen also traveled the world covering major news events for WDSU News including coverage from Iraq, Kuwait, Afghanistan, Cuba and Haiti. His special reports brought important world events right to the doorstep of the residents of New Orleans. His extraordinary reporting has earned him multiple awards including Emmy awards, Edward R. Murrow awards and Press Club of New Orleans awards, and he has twice been named reporter of the year by the Associated Press.“Being a true storyteller is an amazing gift,” said WDSU’s New Director, Melissa Dart. “Heath has that gift. He will go to any length to ensure he covers all angles of a story and to keep our community safe. That is just the kind of journalist he is, and he will be deeply missed.”Allen has spent his life dedicated to helping the people of Southeast Louisiana. In his free time, he could often be found playing his guitar to kids at Children’s Hospital of New Orleans or on the softball field as a coach for the Miracle League, which provides children with special needs an opportunity to play sports. He also volunteers with several other community organizations, an effort he intends to continue after his retirement. “What a privilege to be a part of Greater New Orleans, both sides of the lake and beyond,” Allen said. “I’m thankful to live and work in such a wonderfully diverse community. I’ve always loved telling people stories, personal stories, in the good times and the not-so-good. There’s so much to learn from the honesty of kids, the courage of veterans and the wisdom of the elderly -- those in the margins. I always look for the light. I’ve also been blessed to work with a great group of dedicated and talented reporters, photographers and managers through the years. And there is no better company than Hearst. I care about this company, because they cared about me and my family, especially through Katrina. All in all, it has been a great run.”After retiring, Allen plans to spend more time with his wife, 7 children and 3 grandchildren. He also is excited to have more time to devote to volunteerism and philanthropy.