I have posted about this before on April 7, but thought I would add a little clarity.
Chief meterologist Thomas Patrick's contract was not renewed, so he sought a new opportunity in Waco, TX.
Jeremy Lagoo did quit, apparently over a late breaking surprise contract controversy/dispute and left the business for a better schedule, pay, and work/life balance. His position has not been posted yet apparently because of the ongoing TEGNA/NEXSTAR quagmire.
No hubbing going on from a sister Tegna station at this point. But the staff is wayyyy short.
Not a good situation over there. Surprised Tegna isn't hubbing or at minimum sending someone like Savannah Welch from KING over there to help out
ReplyDeleteI'm also surprised that Tegna isn't hubbing some of KREM's weather segments right now given their severe staff shortage. Welch could be a great option to give KREM some urgently needed relief, though it would mean that KING would be down four reporters instead of three, which isn't good either.
DeleteTrue but I just watched Welch do the noon weather and she sounds fantastic. So it'd be an opportunity for her to get a lot of good reps handling weather which she frankly is good at doing IMO.
DeleteIt would be a great oppertunity for her, and KREM does need the assistance. But can KING cope without her? If Board, White, and Andre hadn't all just left, I would say yes. But since they've all left and haven't been replaced yet, I'm inclined to say no. I hope Welch will get more oppertunities to do the weather at KING in the future.
DeleteWith three reporter departures in the past 10 days, it's time to hold on to what you got. It's also tough to hub with shows on at the same times, so the forecasts would have to be taped offline. Boise could help in the MT zone, but what's their staffing, right?
ReplyDeleteFair point
DeleteKTVB's weather staffing doesn't look good either. Their "meet the team" page currently lists a chief meterologist and two weather anchors who also double as reporters. Three people would be just enough to cover their regular weekly news output if they were all devoted to weather full time and one of them works a double shift on Saturdays, as KTVB has morning news that day (they do not have morning news on Sundays). Since they aren't, I would say they aren't much better off than KREM, which only has one meterologist and one weather anchor listed on their "meet the team" page at the moment. Its quite the prediciment. Tegna must do some hiring to get these very important weather positions, as well as the vacant reporting positions at KING, filled.
DeleteRemaining weather anchors there are scrambling to cover shifts. The ND is a KING product pollyanna who has no way out from this mess, probably foisted on her.
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