My love for weather began very early in my life. Before I could put together complete sentences, I was magnetized by watching the weather report on TV. Not long thereafter, watching Tom Skilling on WGN's Nine O'Clock News became appointment television, whether my parents liked it or not.
Fast forward a dozen or so years, I found myself as an intern of Tom's at WGN, which brought my love for weather to a completely new level. Doing the weather on television had long been a dream of mine, but to work alongside the best in the business for more than two years brought that dream closer to reality.
After graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree from Valparaiso University, my career took me to Cadillac, MI, Rhinelander, WI, and then the Rockford region, one I've now called home for more than two decades.
In that time, I've covered too many major weather events to count. From straight-line winds that blew down WIFR's broadcast tower, to the Groundhog Day blizzard, the Fairdale tornado, and crippling ice storms, just to name a few noteworthy events, we've been through a lot together.
My time in television is behind me. It was the honor of a lifetime to fulfill my childhood dream, but I've come to realize that the way people consume the weather has changed over the years, and in no small way!
That's why I decided to launch Mark Henderson's Weather Hub. For me, it was never about the fame of being "on TV" or the “fortune.” Anyone in the TV news industry will tell you just how little money there is to be made in it. At the end of the day, it was serving YOU, the folks at home, watching the news on your living room couch or a Facebook Live on your laptop. It was about helping you plan your day, deciding how to dress your child for school the next day, or to keep you safe from Mother Nature when she's at her worst.
I don't need to broadcast through traditional means, like TV, to still serve those who've come to rely on the information they need in a clear, concise, accurate, and hype-free manner. And, through the Weather Hub, we're no longer hamstrung by deadlines, time constraints, commercial breaks, or any other things that may get in the way of getting you the information you need when you need it.
The Stateline is my home and always will be. My wife, our daughters, and our dog are committed to being here (well, I suppose the dog doesn't have too much say in the matter), and my commitment to be there for all of you when it comes to delivering the weather has not wavered.
If there's anything you'd like to see from the Weather Hub, or any comments or suggestions you may have, don't hesitate to send me a note. You can email me by clicking the "Contact Mark" link right here on the website. I'm always open to having a dialogue and connecting!