Shay still needs a map to get around the 114,000 square foot facility. With 20 years of reporting under her belt, Shay said she's more comfortable with a pen in her hand and topping her to-do list is purchasing new reporter's notebooks.

"I've got printer's ink in my blood," she said.

On Friday, Shay shocked local media when she handed in her resignation at the Billings Gazette and began working for American Police Force. Less than 24 hours after taking the job Shay held her first press conference.

"It was just surreal to stand in front of people I worked with for 9 year instead of standing shoulder to shoulder with them," she said. Shay's previously reported on the Hardin Jail and American Police Force's involvement with the jail. The last story she filed was Thursday night, after she had already been in negotiations with Capt. Michael with APF. Shay's editor said he had no idea she was in talks with the company. So what did it take for her to join the force?

"My terms were: I don't want the moon and the stars, but I'd like to be able to see them from the patio," Shay said. She is earning $60,000 dollars a year, received a signing bonus, a brand new company car and is getting help making the down payment on a new home.

"Here I am feeling the best I've ever felt about myself," she said. "At a great point in my life."

She said she vetted the company and was told things they will not tell the media.

"I am absolutely positive I made a great career choice," she said.

Among shay's responsibilities is handling media questions. "I will always answer any question that is posed," she said. "It may be a response, not an answer."

When asked who APF's parent company is Shay said, "I feel that story line has spun out. Right now the heart of the story is we're here to open the facility to spur economic development in Hardin."

Shay said APF is planning a job fair sometime in October.