San Diego ABC affiliate KGTV got caught in the recent Scripps layoffs.
The Times of San Diego said roughly 20 staffers, including photographers, producers, and a receptionist were laid off. The media outlet provided a pretty detailed list of those affected.
According to sources familiar with the situation who spoke to Times of San Diego on condition of anonymity, KGTV-TV anchors-reporters who are gone include:
- Veteran newsroom staffer Rachel Bianco , who joined the 10News team in May 2009
- Nigerian native Wale Aliyu , an anchor since October 2022, who was teamed with longtime evening anchor Kimberly Hunt
- Team 10 senior investigator Jim Avila , a newsman since 1973, a former senior White House correspondent during President Barack Obama’s second term and national correspondent for ABC News, who joined KGTV in November 2023;
- Sports anchor Steve Smith , who has covered sports for 25 years and was known for telling stories about teams and athletes who have overcome the odds;
- Lindsey Peña , who joined KGTV in April of 2017, and covered the Native American and LGBTQ+ communities;
- Chula Vista native Vanessa Paz , a morning meteorologist and traffic anchor, who joined 10News in January 2020;
- Reporter Madison Weil , who joined in May 2022 and reported on the homeless, refugee, Ukrainian and Palestine communities;
- Weekend morning anchor and reporter Aaron Dickens , a member of the LGBTQ+ communities, according to his station bio.
Among the videographers and editors who were let go included Mike Howder, Sara Wemy, Paul Anderegg, Sean Dooley, Lyle McCartee, Maria-Camilla Murcia, Jessica Howard, and Steve Martinez. …