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The biggest difference between news at the beginning, and now the end, of his career, has been technological. News was shot on film back in the day, and to cover an election you had to book a satellite truck a week in advance for a live hit. Today, news features can be shot, and broadcasts seen, on iPhones.

“It’s the immediacy, it’s entirely different and there is a lot less oversight on that information,” he says. “You have to hope that your brand and your history will lead people to trust you.”

Changes in technology and news consumption has squeezed traditional news gatherers at television stations and newspapers world-wide, leading to huge staff cuts which “eventually erode what we can do.”

McIntyre worries the gutting of journalism leads to “a less-informed public that’s easily manipulated.” But this is a concern for another generation of journalists. An involuntary buyout at age 55 means McIntyre has time to pursue a different career, though he is blessedly free of plans.

“I really don’t know,” he says. “It’s a short life. Do you want to be entirely defined by one thing?”

Of course, he’ll miss the buzz of the news cycle, the big story.

“But I’ve been there, done that. There are not a lot of new challenges for me in this role. I don’t get butterflies, the good butterflies, anymore.”

For now, he plans to hang out with his wife of 29 years, Mary, on the acreage they share with three horses — Jake, Cool and Snowman. Maybe he’ll play the guitar a bit, or ride his motorcycle. He’s prepared for whatever comes his way. That’s what you learn as a news anchor.

“My job has taught me not to over-react. Deal with it. Figure it out. Be temperate. Make sure nothing overwhelms you. That’s good, or else you’d be overwhelmed a lot.”

NOTE: This story has been corrected. The first version stated McIntrye had taken a voluntary buyout. His departure is as the result of an involuntary buyout.

lfaulder@postmedia.com