KTLA fired anchor Mark Mester days after he was suspended for going off-script, calling out how the station was handling the firing of its longtime co-anchor Lynette Romero, News Kidda has learned.
The station’s general manager, Janene Drafs, announced on Thursday that Mester had been fired during an editorial meeting Los Angeles Times reported.
On September 14, KTLA announced that Romero had decided to move on after nearly 24 years with the station and seek another chance, despite the station hoping she would stay with them for the rest of her career.
“KTLA has worked hard to make that possible,” host Sam Rubin said during a broadcast. “Lynette, we wish you the best of luck, we miss you and we thank you for all you have done for KTLA. … On behalf of everyone here, we wish you and your family nothing but the best.”
After Romero’s departure, Mester spent part of his show on September 17 off-script to apologize to viewers on behalf of the station, saying that the way it handled the dismissal was “rude, cruel, inappropriate, and it we are so sorry.”
“You didn’t deserve this,” Mester said, calling Romero his “best friend.” “It was a mistake and we hope you can find it in your heart to forgive us.”
KTLA has not responded to THR‘s request for comment on Mester’s departure, but did share a statement about Romero leaving the show.
“After 24 years, Lynette Romero has decided to continue anchoring our morning news on the weekends,” said channel news director Pete Saiers. “We really wanted her to stay and KTLA Management worked hard to make that happen. Lynette decided to leave for another chance. We had hoped she would record a farewell message for viewers, but she declined. Lynette has been a wonderful member of the KTLA family and wishes her and her family the best.”