Los Angeles and Chicago newsrooms are reeling from a wave of layoffs impacting veteran anchors and meteorologists at stations owned by Nexstar Media Group, as the company moves to cut costs ahead of a proposed $6.2 billion merger with Tegna. The cuts, announced this week, signal a broader trend of consolidation and cost-cutting within the local television news industry, raising concerns about the future of local journalism.
Among those affected in Los Angeles are Mark Kriski, a longtime KTLA weatherman; Kacey Montoya, a weathercaster; and midday anchors Lu Parker and Glen Walker, along with reporter Ellina Abovian. In Chicago, eight veteran reporters and anchors at WGN-TV were laid off Tuesday, according to reporting from the Chicago Tribune. The moves come as Nexstar seeks to streamline operations and reduce expenses before finalizing its acquisition of Tegna, a deal that would create the nation’s largest local television station owner.
Kriski, an eight-time Emmy Award winner, has been a fixture of the KTLA Morning Show for decades, covering significant weather events including the 1994 Northridge earthquake and recent Malibu fires. Montoya, also a multiple Emmy winner, contributed weather and general interest segments to the KTLA Weekend Morning News. Parker and Walker co-anchored KTLA 5 News at 11 a.m., 12 p.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m., bringing years of experience to the broadcasts. Parker is a six-time Emmy winner and former Miss USA. The impact of these layoffs extends beyond the individuals affected, impacting the continuity and institutional knowledge of KTLA’s news coverage.
SAG-AFTRA Condemns Layoffs, Cites Media Consolidation
The Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) has strongly condemned the layoffs, arguing they represent a dangerous trend of media consolidation. “By laying off journalists across the country, Nexstar is eroding the resources and talent that local communities rely on for trusted news,” said SAG-AFTRA President Sean Astin in a statement. “These actions highlight the risks of media consolidation and underscore the urgent demand for regulators and the company to prioritize the public interest and the professionals who serve it.”
The union is currently in negotiations with Nexstar stations across multiple markets, and reports that the company is seeking to reduce severance pay and limit workers’ negotiating power. SAG-AFTRA argues that the layoffs are particularly troubling in light of the pending Tegna acquisition, which will significantly expand Nexstar’s reach and market dominance.
The Nexstar-Tegna Merger: A Changing Landscape for Local News
The proposed merger between Nexstar and Tegna would combine the two largest independent owners of local television stations in the United States. Currently, Nexstar owns 201 stations in 116 markets, reaching 70% of U.S. Television households, while Tegna owns 64 stations in 51 markets, reaching over 100 million people monthly across its various platforms. Nexstar Media Group was founded in 1996 and has grown through a series of acquisitions.
Upon completion, the merged company would control 265 stations in 44 states and the District of Columbia, representing approximately 80% of U.S. TV households. This would far exceed the longstanding 39% national ownership cap, a limit that has been in place for decades to prevent excessive concentration of media ownership. Nexstar CEO Perry Sook has been a vocal opponent of this cap, arguing it is outdated in the current media landscape.
Political Endorsement and Regulatory Scrutiny
The merger has drawn attention from political figures, including former President Donald Trump, who publicly endorsed the deal on his Truth Social platform in February 2026. Trump wrote that the merger would “help knock out the Fake News” by creating more competition. The endorsement raises questions about potential political influence on the regulatory review process.
The merger still requires approval from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The FCC has historically been cautious about approving deals that would significantly increase media consolidation, but the agency’s stance could shift under the current administration. The outcome of the regulatory review will have significant implications for the future of local news and the diversity of voices in the media landscape.
Nexstar declined to comment on the specific personnel changes, stating only that the company is “taking steps necessary to compete effectively in this period of unprecedented change.” The company’s actions, however, underscore the financial pressures facing the local television news industry as advertising revenue shifts to digital platforms and streaming services.
The next key date to watch is the FCC’s decision on the Nexstar-Tegna merger, which is expected in the coming months. The outcome will likely shape the future of local news for years to come.
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