KGUN chief meteorologist Erin Christiansen is back on the air after an extended bout of Valley Fever forced her to take a leave of absence from the station.

Christiansen was welcomed back on Monday evening’s newscasts by co-anchors Jennifer Waddell and Guy Atchley, who introduced Christiansen as someone who has “had a rough time of her own” lately.

“Rough is kind of an understatement!” Christiansen laughed. “I tell you what, it feels so good to be back.”

Christiansen will work on a partial schedule for now, but is expected to make a full recovery, according to KGUN.

“I’ve already started to try and put this behind me,”  Pima County deputy Thomas Audetat told Tucson ABC-affiliate KGUN.

Audetat, the first deputy to arrive at the scene of January 8′s massacre in Tucson, spoke with KGUN anchor-reporter Jennifer Waddell (video above).

“I responded as quickly as I could and it only took me two and a half minutes to get here,” he said as the two stood in the Safeway parking lot where the shooting took place.

Audetat happened to be about a mile away when the dispatcher called for officers to report to the parking lot.  Jared Loughner had been restrained by bystanders and Audetat hurried over and handcuffed him.

Waddell asked Audetat, a four-year veteran of the force, whether the tragic incident has made him re-think his choice of careers. “Absolutely not,” he said. “I love my job.”