In a move that has sent shockwaves through the Southern California media landscape, Nexstar Media Group has laid off several veteran on-air personalities at KTLA 5, the city’s long-standing CW affiliate. The cuts, confirmed Wednesday, Feb. 25, include legendary meteorologist Mark Kriski and longtime anchors Lu Parker and Glen Walker, marking a significant shift for a station that has dominated local morning and midday ratings for decades.
A Legacy Dismantled: The Faces of KTLA Depart
The layoffs represent a staggering loss of institutional knowledge and viewer trust. Among those ousted are:
- Mark Kriski: An eight-time Emmy winner and a fixture of the KTLA Morning News for over 30 years.
- Lu Parker & Glen Walker: The veteran midday anchor duo known for their deep ties to the Los Angeles community.
- Kacey Montoya: Meteorologist and reporter recognized for her versatile coverage.
- Ellina Abovian: General assignment reporter and a staple of the station’s daily field reporting for 11 years.
The timing of the announcement was particularly poignant for Abovian, who learned of her termination just as she reached her 40th birthday. Speaking to the press, Abovian described being “blindsided” by the decision.
“I gave 11 years of my life to this station and it hurts,” Abovian said, noting the difficulty of explaining the career upheaval to her nine-year-old son. “These are trusted names and faces… they were a part of people’s lives.”
Nexstar Cites ‘Unprecedented Change’ Amid Tegna Merger
In a statement, Nexstar Media Group declined to comment on specific personnel issues but defended the restructuring as a necessary evolution.
“The Company is taking steps necessary to compete effectively in this period of unprecedented change,” the statement read.
However, industry analysts point to a broader corporate strategy. The layoffs coincide with Nexstar’s aggressive pursuit of a merger with Tegna, a deal that would further consolidate the media giant’s hold on local television across the United States. Critics argue that such consolidations often lead to “synergy-driven” job cuts that prioritize balance sheets over local news quality.
SAG-AFTRA Responds to Loss of Union Jobs
The labor union representing the ousted journalists has issued a scathing rebuke of the decision. SAG-AFTRA President Sean Astin characterized the move as a blow to the fundamental role of local journalism.
“By laying off journalists across the country, Nexstar is eroding the resources and talent that local communities rely on for trusted news,” Astin said in a statement. He labeled the elimination of union positions during a period of corporate expansion as “particularly troubling.”
The Future of Local News in Los Angeles
The departures mark the end of an era for KTLA, a station that has historically branded itself as “L.A.’s Very Own.” For decades, the chemistry and longevity of its newsroom staff served as a bulkhead against the declining viewership seen in traditional broadcast media.
As Nexstar streamlines its operations to facilitate its next acquisition, the Los Angeles market is left to grapple with the loss of voices that have narrated the city’s history for a generation. For now, the remaining staff at 5800 Sunset Blvd must navigate a depleted newsroom while viewers adjust to a screen missing its most familiar faces.
