In comments underneath a News 12 Facebook post promoting the story, a platform user posted a link to an article from another Long Island news source about four people who were arrested for illegal gun possession. After more than three decades on air at News 12 Long Island, Colleen McVey is signing off for the last time. Join Carissa Lawson, Kristina Behr, James Gregorio, and Don Smith for the latest headlines, breaking news from overnight, traffic and weather information for all . "I care so deeply about our viewers and our community and though my role with KSAT has ended, my love for you, the people of San Antonio, has not stopped," she said on Facebook. Employees discussed their safety concerns with management and asked for additional security measures to be put in place for their protection. Furthermore, sources say action plans were also generated, outlining required steps these supposedly poor-performing employees needed to take or else theyd be terminated. Trouble for the News 12 New Jersey team began in May 2020 with the hiring of Jacques Natz as GM, sources say. News anchor Natasha Exelby was caught off guard while doing a live news report in Australia. She joined News 12 in 2000, working her way up from . And so what I think is, Altice made changes based on economics, but beyond that, I couldnt comment. . Getty Images. Join Elizabeth Hashagen, Erin Colton, Doug Geed, Elisa DiStefano, Rich Hoffman, and Caroline Flynn for the latest headlines, business news, traffic and weather . I endured abuse for a very long time.. Sources also claim that there were instances in which they followed Waldmans production notes and when the broadcasts were deemed incorrectly executed by managers further up the chain, Waldman blamed her subordinates for the moves. Colleen was the original morning show anchor. The source, who asked to remain anonymous so they could speak freely, says micromanaging can sometimes elevate a brand. One day late last year, a meteorologist commented to another staffer that there was no reason News 12 should announce its in Storm Watch mode. Donald Lynn "Don" Owen, News Director/Weekday Evening Anchor. Ive never seen it like this, says the source, commenting on the industrys labor problems. That creates its own problem: stress running through the entire organization.. I just don't understand why they were fired. Fired News 12 The Bronx anchor Matt Pieper tried to save face a week after he dropped the f-bomb and bashed government assistance on a live mic by pointing the finger at a behind-the-scenes boss. Matt Pieper, who has since been fired from News 12 The . The business is small is a constant refrain from sources. Since acquiring News 12, we have invested in the network with the goal of growing its audience and viewership and so they can provide the news and information to our local communities across the tri-state.. After that, I stopped telling people where I worked and stopped wearing my News 12 gear in public.. By Kevin Eck on Jan. 12, 2022 - 9:36 AM. According to sources, Natz blamed a COVID outbreak at News 12 Long Islands headquarters on workers eating in control rooms. The sponsorship of stories. Its really true. Long before the Altice takeover. And Ive known people whove been in this business a long time, but Ive also known people who come into this business because perhaps, professors said, oh, pursue this, or their parents might have said, oh, go into media. But they really had a love for something else. According to a member of staff, management hadn't yet discussed Romero's departure with fellow employees. All of these changes eroded morale throughout the companys newsrooms, sources say. Ive known Bill OShaughnessy, the owner of this station, since the very beginning of my career, since I started working for Cablevision early on. When Amy came, all of a sudden everyone was on an action plan, says one source. The focus definitely seemed to be on attention, and not our well-being. The company said. So I just want to make that clear. Sep 2011 - May 20153 years 9 months. The New Tax Bill: Pouring SALT in Our Wounds, or Not So Bad? This week in Made in Connecticut, News 12's Becky Surran takes you to Wilton for an inside look at one of the largest semiconductor companies in the world, ASML. Jeff is an award winning anchor and reporter who joined the News 12 team in 2023. During his time at KSLA, Doug has earned numerous Emmy awards, multiple Reporter of the Year honors from the Louisiana Associated Press and Association of Broadcasters, and won both regional and national Edward R. Murrow awards. One month before Waldman was hired by News 12, a former WPIX camera operator, previously under her direction at the network, sued the station for slander. Read the latest issue of Westchester magazine for FREE! Its part of how companies pay employee salaries. Jason Hahn. With respect to the Kevin Vesey rally story, that was a big deal within the [Long Island] station for two reasons, says one former employee. I learned everything I needed in the News 12 newsroom.. He just tried to help them keep their jobs for as long as possible so Dolan filed a lawsuit and it stalled the firing . Oops! Isis Romero was one of the most recognizable faces on KSAT 12 San Antonio for over a decade. I was very blessed to get into Cablevision early on in my career and to pursue a television career, which I came to love and adore. Kristin Malaspina was hired by Steinberg as the marketing director and instituted the majority of changes that plague news 12 to this day. You can correct it, but then when you correct it, youre giving fuel to the fire that journalists arent fair or objective, if youre putting out wrong information. WOAI-TV's chief anchorwoman Evy Ramos said she was abruptly fired today. The employee discussed issues with the companys direction and its treatment of staff. But departed personnel say they had to eat maskless in that space because staff cuts enacted by Natz forced them to work through meal breaks. And reporters spending more time practicing dance moves on social media than covering stores. Radio was my first love in college; I wont deny that. Her tireless work to raise money for awareness and research has helped the event grow year after year. Ramos joined the News 12 team in September 2019. WM: Let me expand on that question. Its so off-kilter right now., When TVNewsCheck published its initial story about working conditions in the News 12 New Jersey newsroom in June, an Altice spokesperson said the company take[s] these matters seriously and would review them internally.. We were wrong. The recruiter, who spoke anonymously so as not to disrupt prospective career opportunities, says theyve heard about the News 12 hostile work environment and the short tempers, raised voices and banging fists on the table from upper management. Patsy Carter, Morning and Noon Anchor/Reporter. The response to Veseys scenario told our viewing audience we accepted the confrontation. JR: Im here as a journalist asking people to comment on the news of the day. It's one destination for everything you need to know to start your day. The Kevin Vesey situation was scary, says a former staffer. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. An unidentified person, Radzius said, called him a snitch and threw an unknown object at his head. Such occurrences have become typical in News 12 newsrooms, according to sources. Instead of hyperlocal news, consumers of News 12 today see, as a former staffer describes it, fluff. Theyre watching more entertainment than news, sources say, and consumers often take to social media to vent their frustration with the brand. What I would say to people like yourself who are looking to be journalists. The result is nearly half of the employees over the seven networks have left, laid off or been fired since the takeover (45 per year average). Former employees whove moved on from News 12 to other jobs in the industry also say they were gaslit on their way out by Natz, as well as Gruber. A few weeks later, Altice fired Natz as GM. Ground zero for this initiative was the News 12 Long Island newsroom. Typically, that would have been the case, sources say, as it was when the station covered the remnants of Hurricane Henri only nine days earlier. If that were the case, they say, departed staffers would have left the trade altogether. During the incident, there was an exchange which many found offensive where Matt Pieper was relaying a message to reporter Amy Yensi and said, "David wants . They also say News 12 meteorologists pleaded with Natz, Gruber and other managers in past years to allow them to return to weather forecasts with a more fact-based approach. Sources say the whole affair was demoralizing for Dolan. After the takeover we couldnt imagine it get worse. Of course, sponsored content has become a commonplace for local TV news in the past decade. I dont provide my own commentary. Now we have it on record, its on record. And history repeats itself. According to a recruiter with ties to the news industry, the companys reputation for worker mistreatment, as well as its propensity for exceptionally low wages for new hires, is having a debilitating effect on Altices ability to attract quality talent to its seven cable channels. JR: Ill be honest with you, I think they have a larger responsibility, because there are so many facts and figures coming in every day that they have to sift through, and I also think there is its unfair, but so many deadlines are imposed on people, and theres this belief that you have to be the first one to report something, and I think journalists have gotten into trouble rushing to get a story to air or rushing to get a story on their website or rushing to get on Facebook. In 1995 they decided to take what we were doing on a daily basis, one show, two shows a day, and put it into a 24-hour news format that could really serve the neighborhoods with news thats important to most people. I feel blessed. Their loss is a setback for the News 12 audience., In May 2020, less than a year after the settlement between the Dolans and Altice, Natz was hired as News 12s general manager. A professor in the Morehouse college, he joined Fox News in 2007 and he appeared often on the O'Reilly Show where he discussed with O'Reilly on socio-political issues. But these former News 12 employees also say the incident is part of a pattern revealing network upper managements lack of concern for worker safety and well-being. At the heart of the issue is the . And once they moved on to that other career or other field of work, theyve been just as happy, if not happier. . But some weeks, its more locally focused. Leaving was "my call," says Singleton, the glib sportscaster probably best known for filming . (Multiple former newsroom employees estimated that number of departures; one maintained a rolling list of names that reached 74 and shared it with TVNewsCheck.) And while the staffers may not have become rich working for the regional news network, they say they were fairly compensated by Dolan, a leader who they say proverbially had his workers backs. As former employees note, management clearly did not consult with weather forecasters on its branding because thunderbolts are not meteorological phenomena at all. A News 12 Connecticut anchor was "released" after the news organization learned he acted "inappropriately" on social media, according to a statement from the network. It wasnt about us, one former News 12 newsroom employee says. Sources say the low marks were supported by falsehoods and exaggerated tales of what were, at worst, minor infractions. 450 Raritan Center Pkwy Edison, NJ 08837. [Management] had us, for a while, digging through our comments on Twitter and Facebook for Tagboard, this social media integration tool that they had us using for the shows, and it became real difficult to find usable comments., They were all negative, the source adds. But one source asks, Does it need to be multiple spots in every show or airing every hour?. Do I do it honestly, fairly and objectively for my viewers or am I trying to put something over them?. Theres a tad of hype that you have to put into it for the viewership, but you dont lie to them and we were basically lying to the viewership for ratings., Not unlike other areas of coverage from News 12, the Storm Watchers have also become a focus of ridicule on social media by viewers. The move of news into marketing. Discussing the News 12 programming changes, one anonymous media buyer supports the staffers complaints. "Mornings with News 12" is the only place to get the local news that matters to your community. Jon Steinberg and his golden parachute along with the four of five GMs of news in the last five years drove the final nail in that coffin. But multiple sources for this story say that News 12 newsrooms have become the most toxic environments in which they have ever worked, since the Altice takeover almost indisputably so, says one former staffer. She began her career as a production assistant and progressed through the ranks to become a writer, producer, sports anchor, and reporter. Youd really have to ask them about how things are going or why they made the changes they made. Westchester Magazine: How are you settling into the new radio show? Then, one weekend in 2018, sources say Dolan and his secretary cleaned out his office of personal belongings, fearing Altice would soon permanently lock him out of the Long Island headquarters. The furore at KTLA-TV began last week when the . Many viewers in Long Island and other News 12 markets have soured on the channels, sources say. Matthew Eisman/Getty Images. Thank you so much. "After reviewing . Initially, management responded with an email to News 12 staffers, obtained by TVNewsCheck, instructing employees not to engage with hecklers on social media and to alert Altice security if they felt physically threatened. Isis Romero was one of the most recognizable faces on KSAT 12 San Antonio for over a decade. However, they claim Natz who many say is not a newsman made a habit of calling people out on their shortcomings with public shows of frustration that ascended to levels of open disrespect. A spate of new series drummed up by former GM Natz, covering local attractions and businesses, consumer tips, do gooders and other subjects, were nearly devoid of news value, sources say. They were upset about the loss of jobs and the detrimental impact such a lack of diverse voices could have on free press and democracy. If youre going to be a journalist, dont expect to be a millionaire. Elliot, who has been a CBS daytime anchor for about a year, had first shocked . ABOUT THE SHOW. People at home dont give a shit how long my cold open is, says one former newsroom staffer. Those whove earned the highest salaries at News 12, after accruing lengthy track records of quality work and trust in the markets they serve, have borne the brunt of toxic management in recent years, sources say. Doug Warner anchors KSLA News 12 at 5, 6, and 10 after first joining the KSLA family in 2009 as a co-anchor of KSLA News 12 This Morning. However, News 12+ consumption strictly between 8 and 11 p.m. have dipped in the past two years. In October 2021, while News 12 Long Island was once again in Storm Watch mode, covering what the staff called a Noreaster, dozens of locals took to Facebook and hounded the station with critical comments indicating they were experiencing an ordinary rain event. And I say, whatever you do in life, as long as you have a passion for that, youre going to be great at it. As Veseys presence in front of the camera grew, some News 12 employees wondered, Is this news?, (Sources for this story see Vesey as a team player who, throughout, was simply following assignment orders from management. Ana Orsini. KCRG in Cedar Rapids Promotes Kristin Rogers to Morning Anchor. The Syracuse native has called the island home for 35 years where she and her husband Tony raised their three children Matt, Greg, and Maggie. Part of the companys weather branding, sources say, is another Altice-initiated gimmick: the News 12 forecasting vehicle, Thunderbolt. We are in, certainly, with the concerns about terrorism, with the concerns about our safety, its an uneasy period were in right now, and I think thats why journalism is so important. In June, TVNewsCheck reported that toxic working conditions inside News 12 New Jersey, one of seven Tri-State area cable news channels in Altice USAs News 12 network, compelled the bulk of the stations editorial team to resign in close succession. But after a few months, employees began to see what they call the writing on the wall.. After investigating the allegations of employee mistreatment outlined in the article, Altice fired the station group's general manager, Jacques Natz.However, a bigger picture of network-wide malfeasance, which has not only inspired dozens more departures, but compromised News 12's hyperlocal value proposition in markets with no shortage of impactful stories has emerged. Exiting workers were told that they were beloved, and the company wanted to invest in them if they chose to stick around. LONG ISLAND, NY Viewers are saying goodbye to familiar faces at News 12 Long Island after a shift in staffing leaves longtime employees without jobs. But two other media buyers say, regardless of the new programming approach, theyve heard no negativity about News 12s reputation with advertisers since the changes began. Mar 12, 2007 Kimberly Van Scoy, morning show anchor at WXII channel 12 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, must report that her co-anchor Tolly Carr was .. Wxii 12 News Anchor Wanda Starke Celebrates Birthday 40 . Newsday sat down with former News 12 anchor Stone Grissom to discuss life since leaving News 12 last year and his new role at a TV station in Elmira. Though it was a weather event that had been anticipated days in advance, News 12 upper management did not book hotel rooms for its personnel. Management from the guy at the top to the janitor all say hi to each other and its friendly and helpful., The source says recently, at their new job, theyd worked 10 consecutive days, but enjoyed a full weekend off because colleagues of theirs volunteered to take over their shifts. Former Wxii 12 News Anchor Denise Franklin Dies At Age 59 .. Oct 24, 2019 Long Time Board Director & News Director Dies. Updated: Feb. 27, 2023 at 3:45 PM CST | By KXII Staff. Marc Lamont Hill. It was ruining my entire life and my health, one source, who was closely managed by Waldman, says. Several follow-up segments on the Vesey episode were ordered up by management and, later, more stories about Veseys personal experiences turned up on newscasts, too. Please select a region to stay informed on the latest local news via news12.com. Before moving to Oregon, there were many places Ana once called "home." She was born and raised in Denver, Colorado before moving to Texas in 2014. And of course we started with the news of the day, which was the terror attack in New York City. "KSAT 12 has always strived for a workplace reflective of our vibrant and diverse community both in front of and behind the camera," he said. A Las Vegas news anchor was arrested after being found naked and passed out in her car, police said. After Waldman showed up, employee performance review scores of veteran workers plummeted, multiple sources say. They were focusing on New York City. Sources at News 12 say Waldman regularly berates editorial team members and, like Natz and Gruber, judges their output with uncivil intensity, coming down hardest on veterans who earn the most money. A few days later, he and his family sued the company, claiming in court filings that Altice had breached its sales agreement by laying off a large number of workers. Ratings for the stations have risen, a company spokesperson told TVNewsCheck, including record highs during the pandemic and even more recently as coverage has normalized. While aggregate ratings of comparable broadcast affiliates and 24-hour news channels fell by double digits, the last three years, the rep adds, News 12 ratings have climbed by 8%. JR: Thank you. Like the individuals who spoke to TVNewsCheck about the News 12 New Jersey newsroom, these sources have opted to remain anonymous, some on background, partly out of fear that Altice, Natz and/or Gruber will retaliate with lawsuits or other actions that could threaten future career opportunities. The 10 p.m. anchor said the ABC affiliate opted not renew her contract, adding that her last day on air was July 12. Though Vesey discusses the confrontations for only 20 seconds in his two-minute piece, sources say management latched on to that portion of the story and instructed the staff to promote the incident. They just fired her for no reason?" a user exclaimed. Her . In court documents supplied to TVNewsCheck by a source, Waldman is labeled by Evseroffs attorney as a properly named defendant in the case because she was one of two co-conspirators in the hostile work environment Evseroff experienced. 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