Lotus Communications made a round of cuts last week at News “Northwest News Radio” 1000 KNWN Seattle/97.7 KNWN-FM Oakville WA.
We’re told as many as nine staffers have exited the station mostly in reporter and producer roles as the company “looks to streamline operating expenses”.
Reporter Corwin Haeck noted on Facebook that all reporter positions were eliminated writing, “Well, whatta ya know. Friday marks my last day as a radio news reporter. I had been planning to retire sometime in the coming months, but had not yet announced it. Instead, the station made the decision for me…by LAYING ME OFF along with every other reporter on staff! I kid you not. After 19.5 years and two ownership changes, they’ve sent me packing. Jeez…where’s my gold watch?”
Haeck continued, “I’ve been told that lasting nearly 20 years in a single radio job makes me almost a unicorn. If so, there were a herd of them at KOMO (currently KNWN) radio. Much of our tight-knit newsroom had been there as long as me or longer. I’ll miss working with them all. It’s a shame our new owners decided, after only 18 months, that a dip in revenue warranted these draconian measures. I’ve heard they plan to continue as a 24-hour local news station. I’m curious to see how they manage it without reporters.”
Other staffers to confirm their departures include morning sports anchor Eric Heintz and editor/anchor Kathi O’Shea. Additional staffers were wiped from the station’s website including evening anchor Kelly Bleyer. Marina Rockinger, who has held multiple roles with KNWN and sister Hot AC “Star 101.5” KPLZ since 1997 including morning traffic reporter and anchor, noted she has moved to evening host at KPLZ and some things at KNWN.
