Mark Kriski laid off from KTLA after 35-year run, last original host gone

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• 🔥 Quick Facts
• A Local Fixture Says Goodbye
• Nexstar’s Massive Cost-Cutting Wave
• Health Challenges and Comeback
• Guild Protests and Labor Tensions
• What Does Kriski’s Departure Mean for KTLA and Local News?
  • Sources

Mark Kriski, an eight-time Emmy winner, has been laid off from KTLA after 35 years at the station. The legendary meteorologist was the last remaining original host from KTLA Morning News, which launched in 1991.

A Local Fixture Says Goodbye

Mark Kriski became synonymous with Los Angeles television for three and a half decades. The Canadian-born meteorologist arrived at KTLA when the station launched its morning news program in mid-1991. Kriski shared the anchor desk with original hosts Carlos Amezcua and Barbara Beck. Over the years, Kriski remained while nearly all other original personalities departed, becoming the last connection to KTLA’s founding era.

His five-hour daily morning shift from 5 am to 10 am made him a fixture in Southern California households. Viewers watched him age gracefully on air, delivering weather reports with consistency and expertise. Kriski’s longevity at a single station became increasingly rare in modern broadcasting.

Nexstar’s Massive Cost-Cutting Wave

The layoffs represent part of a nationwide staff reduction by Nexstar Media Group, which owns KTLA, WGN Chicago, and WPIX New York. The cuts come as Nexstar finalizes a $6.2 billion acquisition of the Tegna station group. At KTLA alone, the company eliminated positions for midday anchors Glen Walker and Lu Parker. Meteorologist Kacey Montoya and reporter Ellina Abovian also lost their jobs.

Station	Notable Layoffs	Total Jobs Lost
KTLA Los Angeles	Kriski, Parker, Walker	5+
WGN Chicago	Dean Richards, 20-year veteran	8
WPIX New York	Kori Chambers, Arrianae LeBeau	TBA

Nexstar declined to comment on personnel decisions, stating the company is taking steps to compete effectively during a period of industry change. Industry observers note consolidation pressures are accelerating across local television markets nationwide.

Health Challenges and Comeback

Kriski faced a significant health setback in May 2024 when he suffered a stroke that forced him off the air. The meteorologist was diagnosed with Wallenberg Syndrome, a rare condition affecting the brainstem. Paralysis of his right vocal cord left him with a noticeably hoarse voice upon recovery.

Despite these challenges, Kriski returned to broadcasting in 2025 and continued working at KTLA until his abrupt Wednesday departure on February 25, 2026. His remarkable comeback after stroke recovery demonstrated his dedication to the profession. Viewers appreciated his resilience and transparency about his medical journey during his recovery period.

Guild Protests and Labor Tensions

SAG-AFTRA swiftly condemned Nexstar for eliminating union positions across multiple stations. Union president Sean Astin stated that Nexstar is eroding the resources and talent that communities depend on for trusted news. The union pointed out these layoffs violate the principle of media responsibility to local communities.

“By laying off journalists across the country, Nexstar is eroding the resources and talent that local communities rely on for trusted news. These actions highlight the risks of media consolidation and underscore the urgent need for regulators and the company to prioritize the public interest.”

— Sean Astin, SAG-AFTRA President

SAG-AFTRA accused Nexstar of pushing to cut severance pay and inserting problematic contract provisions limiting workers’ negotiation freedom. The Communications Workers of America separately alleged Nexstar retaliates against union supporters and refuses to recognize duly elected unions at various stations.

What Does Kriski’s Departure Mean for KTLA and Local News?

Mark Kriski’s exit symbolizes the erosion of institutional knowledge and trusted voices in local broadcasting. His 35-year tenure represented a dying breed of long-term newsroom fixtures who built deep relationships with viewers. KTLA’s decision marks the end of an era for a newsroom that has served Los Angeles since the early 1990s.

Industry analysts suggest Nexstar’s consolidation strategy prioritizes cost reduction over quality, potentially affecting news coverage depth. The layoffs raise broader questions about the future of local journalism in major markets as large broadcasters prioritize profit margins over community service. Viewers expressed dismay on social media, with many pledging to switch to competing news outlets.

Sources

• Variety – Eight-time Emmy winner Mark Kriski laid off as part of Nexstar’s nationwide staff cuts
• Los Angeles Daily News – KTLA layoffs including Mark Kriski, Lu Parker, and Glen Walker affect local newsroom
• Deadline – Nexstar cuts jobs at flagship stations KTLA, WPIX, and WGN amid Tegna merger