Several staff members at KTLA, a prominent television station in Los Angeles, have recently been affected by layoffs, stirring significant concern among viewers and industry professionals alike. The news broke on 25 February and has since created ripples throughout the local media landscape.
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Among the departed staff is Ellina Abovian, a general assignment reporter who expressed her shock upon learning of her termination just ahead of her 40th birthday. In an emotional statement to PEOPLE, she reflected on her eleven years at KTLA, revealing the immense personal impact the decision has had on her. “I gave 11 years of my life to this station, and it hurts,” Abovian stated, noting the challenges she now faces as a single mother of two.
Other notable on-air talents dismissed include seasoned meteorologists Mark Kriski and Kacey Montoya, alongside midday anchors Lu Parker and Glen Walker. The layoffs were executed by Nexstar, the parent company of KTLA, which is currently navigating a turbulent period in the broadcast industry. Abovian mentioned she felt “blindsided” by the news and marked her birthday on social media on the same day the shocking announcement was made public.
In the wake of the layoffs, Nexstar issued a statement highlighting that it “does not comment on personnel issues” but is undertaking necessary measures “to compete effectively in this period of unprecedented change.” However, KTLA did not provide immediate comments when approached for further clarification.
Commenting on the broader implications of the layoffs, Abovian voiced her concern for her colleagues. She referred specifically to Kriski, who has won eight local Emmy awards and is regarded as a “legend” in the field. “These are trusted names and faces for not just a few months, but decades,” she remarked, expressing her sympathy for the disruption this has caused in the lives of those laid off and their audience.
Reflecting on her own position, she noted the intrinsic value of storytelling within journalism, stating, “It hurts because I was part of a noble profession of telling people’s stories, and that was taken from me.” Despite the turbulence, she offered gratitude towards the viewers and her former colleagues at KTLA, whom she described as family. “They were my family,” she said, underscoring the emotional bonds developed over years of working together.
The layoffs at KTLA are indicative of a larger trend, as Nexstar faces criticism for its decision to reduce staff in local newsrooms. SAG-AFTRA, the union representing many media professionals, condemned these cuts, warning that they undermine the resources and talent that communities depend on for reliable news. Union President Sean Astin labelled the terminations “particularly troubling,” stressing the essential role of local journalists in society.
As Abovian continues to process the fallout from the layoffs, she shared how she celebrated her recent birthday with her son. “I blew out my candles last night with my 9-year-old son sitting next to me,” she recalled, reflecting on the need to explain the situation to him. Her thoughts extended to KTLA’s audience, acknowledging that many might also be facing uncertainties in their own lives.
She conveyed a message of resilience, stating, “At the end of the day, we’re all just people trying to make a living to take care of our families,” adding, “to anyone else who’s navigating uncertainty in their lives right now, just hold the people you love very closely and always believe that tomorrow’s another day.”
The situation at KTLA serves as a sobering reminder of the volatility that can exist in the media landscape today, as well as the human stories that lie beneath the headlines. As the community reflects on these changes, it remains to be seen how these shifts will reshape local news in Los Angeles and beyond.