Local television news talent is a big revolving door in the Chippewa Valley. A lot of the news novices start here before moving on to bigger markets. One of our former newsies took a few revolutions before exiting to greener pastures.

Chris Earl started as sportscaster, left, came back as lead anchor for WEAU, and left again. But while he hopscotches around the Midwest, he keeps cranking out sports fiction set in the areas where he has lived.

His newest book, The Last Out, features the ridiculously-awesomely named main character, Royal Cutter, who graduates from EC North, plays in the minors, gets called up, traded, all the while battling family demons and opposing pitchers.

Earl’s books are for sports guys, by a sports guy, and feature straight-forward storytelling, and the inclusion of the games that only a sportscaster could provide. Chris Earl will be in Eau Claire for book signings on June 11, at The Living Room Coffeehouse at 2pm, and 6:30pm at Borders.