Nexstar, one of America’s largest television station operators, implemented significant layoffs at WPIX/11 on Wednesday, impacting several prominent figures in the station’s news team. Among those let go was Kori Chambers, a well-known weekday anchor who has been integral to the station since 2013. Joining her are longtime morning news anchor John Muller, veteran reporter Craig Treadway, and weekday 4 and 5 p.m. anchor Arrianee LeBeau.
Kori Chambers has been a staple of WPIX/11’s anchoring since her arrival nearly a decade ago. John Muller, who previously had stints at both WPIX and WNBC, was known for his role as a weekday reporter and his groundbreaking tenure on “Morning News.” Treadway, who dedicated 25 years to WPIX, was recognized for his diverse reporting across various segments. Meanwhile, Arrianee LeBeau created and curated the noteworthy segment “Heart of the City,” celebrating the spirit of New York through local stories.
Nexstar’s cuts were reported to be even more extensive at other major stations it owns, such as KTLA in Los Angeles and WGN in Chicago, with multiple high-profile anchors also facing layoffs. The Los Angeles Times highlighted the impact at KTLA, noting the exit of longtime anchors Glen Walker and Lu Parker, as well as meteorologist Mark Kriski, who spent 35 years with the station. The Chicago Tribune reported that eight journalists were let go from WGN.
In a statement, Nexstar attributed the layoffs to the need to adapt amid “unprecedented change,” as the company navigates a media landscape evolving rapidly due to changing viewer habits and economic pressures. WPIX did not provide a comment regarding the layoffs.
SAG-AFTRA, the union representing some of the affected journalists, expressed concern over the ramifications of these layoffs on local news resources. They emphasized that as Nexstar moves forward with its multi-billion-dollar acquisition of Tegna, the decision to reduce newsroom jobs raises urgent concerns about the quality and availability of local news coverage.
While such moves may aim to streamline operations during a challenging period for traditional broadcasting, the future of local journalism and its critical role in community engagement remains at stake. This shake-up serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing shifts within the media industry, calling into question how local stations will continue providing comprehensive news coverage amidst staffing reductions.