Los Angeles-area news station KTLA is facing criticism on social media after a long-time anchor resigned after two decades with the outlet and was unceremoniously taken off the air without a chance to say farewell to viewers.
During a weekday news broadcast last week, entertainment reporter Sam Rubinannouncedthat weekend morning news anchor Lynette Romero resigned from KTLA, a CW affiliate, to pursue “another opportunity elsewhere.”
“Some news we’ve just been handed here that we wanted to share with you first about a member of our KTLA family, after nearly 24 years, Lynette Romero, our friend Lynette, has decided to move on from anchoring our weekend morning news,” Rubin said. “KTLA management had hoped she would stay here her entire career, and KTLA worked hard to make that happen, but Lynette has decided to move on to another opportunity elsewhere.”
Mark Mester/instagram
“Lynette, we wish you luck, we miss you, and we thank you for everything you’ve done for KTLA, so many friends and fans, and viewers,” he added.
After the brief, 40-second segment, viewers questioned why Romero did not give the announcement herself.
“This is weird… I feel like her send off was quick for someone being there for almost 24 years,” one Twitter user wrote in reply to a video of the segment.
“This seems a little fishy…what is going on over there??” added another viewer. “She was the reason I watch the weekend morning news….not anymore.”
Romero and KTLA’s parent company, Nexstar Media Inc., did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
On Saturday, Mester apologized to viewers for KTLA’s handling of Romero’s exit, and called it “unfortunate” and “inappropriate.”
Mester — who did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment — has since been suspended from the station for an unknown amount of time, according toDeadline.
“I will always be grateful for the love and affection LA viewers have given me,” Romero wrote on Wednesday. “Stay tuned my friends I’ll be right back.🌻”
source: people.com
