Two of The Express News Group’s most enduring newsroom fixtures decided that 2025 would be the year they finally stepped away from journalism. At the end of December, photo editor Dana Shaw and reporter Stephen J. Kotz officially filed their last stories. For more than three decades, Shaw was a constant presence at the region’s most important moments — from protests and public meetings to wildfires and parades. And for over 30 years on the East End, Kotz — who also had stints as a news editor — chronicled the villages, towns, people and personalities of the South Fork with relentless curiosity and determination. This week, the editors sit down with Shaw and Kotz for a candid “exit interview,” filled with unforgettable anecdotes, hard-earned wisdom, and reflections on a lifetime spent chasing the story.