Longtime KTLA weather anchor Mark Kriski, an eight-time Emmy winner who has been an L.A. TV fixture since he joined “KTLA Morning News” at its launch in 1991, has been let go by the station. Kriski’s exit is a part of nationwide staff cuts by Nexstar, including major layoffs at flagship stations WPIX New York, WGN Chicago and KTLA Los Angeles.
Also let go at KTLA were midday anchors Glen Walker, who had been at KTLA since 2010, and Lu Parker, who had been with KTLA since 2015. At WGN, the Chicago Tribune reported eight layoffs, including Dean Richards, who had been with the station in various capacities since 1991.
Others let go according to the paper: Sean Lewis (a union steward who had been with WGN for two decades), Ray Cortopassi, Bronagh Tumulty, Judy Wang, Julian Crews, Paul Lisnek and Chris Boden. The Tribune also reported that meterologist Mike Janseen, who had been with the station since 2010, did not see his contract renewed. Also, per the paper, “six newswriters were laid off and three technical director positions were eliminated.”
Meanwhile, WPIX layoffs are said to include anchors Kori Chambers, Arrianae LeBeau, John Muller and Craig Treadway.
“Nexstar does not comment on personnel issues, but the company is taking steps necessary to compete effectively in this period of unprecedented change,” a Nexstar spokesperson said in a statement.
The Nexstar job cuts come as the company is in the process of acquiring the Tegna station group, which would give it a massive oversight of TV news departments in major local markets across the country.
In a statement, SAG-AFTRA blasted Nexstar for eliminating its union positions at KTLA and WGN — and noted that the layoffs come as SAG-AFTRA is actively bargaining with Nexstar stations in several markets.
“By laying off journalists across the country, Nexstar is eroding the resources and talent that local communities rely on for trusted news,” SAG-AFTRA president Sean Astin said in a statement. “These actions highlight the risks of media consolidation and underscore the urgent need for regulators and the company to prioritize the public interest and the professionals who serve it.”
In its statement, SAG-AFTRA accused Nexstar of “pushing to gut severance pay and insert onerous provisions into the union contract that limit workers’ ability to freely negotiate the terms of their own employment. These reductions in SAG-AFTRA talent also comes as Nexstar finalizes its multi-billion-dollar acquisition of Tegna. This consolidation makes the decision to cut local newsroom jobs particularly troubling.”
Added SAG-AFTRA national executive director and chief negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland: “Our members are trusted voices in their communities, and they deserve contracts that respect their work and safeguard their futures. SAG-AFTRA will not stand by while the future of local news is put at risk. We will continue to fight for strong agreements that protect journalists and the audiences who rely on them every single day.”
Meanwhile, the Communications Workers of America union, part of AFL-CIO, has also criticized Nexstar for fighting employees’ efforts to form unions in several markets and retaliating against individual workers for union activism.
“Over the past two years, workers have voted for union representation in elections supervised by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) at three Nexstar stations and one broadcasting hub,” the CWA said. “In each case Nexstar refused to recognize the union despite clear election outcomes, instead engaging in frivolous appeals… The NLRB has issued four complaints against Nexstar for terminating employees at the Denver locations who supported the union. The NLRB is also investigating five unfair labor practice charges in Henderson, Kentucky alleging the company terminated union supporters and made unilateral changes to working conditions.”
As for Kriski, the meteorologist was the last remaining original host from the launch of “KTLA Morning News.” He suffered a stroke in May 2024, forcing him off the air for a period of time before returning the following year.
