kacey montoya is returning to the air at KTLA starting Saturday, March 7, after being laid off with four other longtime journalists. The move follows a 60-day notice period given to the affected employees after the station owner, Nexstar, ended their roles on Wednesday, Feb. 25. Montoya says she will work weekend weather through March and into early April, when her time at the station officially ends.
What’s happening on air, and why it matters
Montoya’s return comes one week after KTLA laid off five longtime staffers: weathercaster Kacey Montoya, fellow meteorologist Mark Kriski, anchors Lu Parker and Glen Walker, and reporter Ellina Abovian. The employees were given 60 days’ notice before their positions officially end, creating a window in which some can continue appearing on air before their departures become final.
In a video posted to her Instagram page on Thursday, March 5, Montoya thanked viewers for their support and confirmed she chose to spend the notice period delivering forecasts on weekends. “I want to thank everyone who’s reached out for your love and support that you’ve shown me over the past week, ” Montoya said. “I had no idea that I had made such an impact on so many of your lives. ”
Montoya also described the looming end of her run at the station while emphasizing her attachment to the work. “As you know, my time at KTLA is coming to an end after 13 years, ” she said, adding that she has loved coming into viewers’ homes with the forecast and her animal welfare stories.
Immediate reactions: Staff memo, on-air remarks, and viewer fallout
While KTLA leadership has been publicly quiet about the layoffs, the station’s news director, Erica Hill-Rodriguez, addressed staffers in a memo, acknowledging uncertainty and ongoing discussions. “Out of respect for everyone’s individual situation and the process of some ongoing conversations, I am not yet able to share any confidential details. However, as soon as it is appropriate, I will, ” Hill-Rodriguez wrote. She described the period as “incredibly difficult and sad times, ” adding that her “heart is with everyone on our team as we navigate these challenging times. ”
On air, Frank Buckley, an anchor who remains at KTLA, addressed the layoffs one day after they happened, saying the team was limited in what could be shared. “This is a difficult time for us, and we will go through it together, ” Buckley said, adding that the station still had a job to do in delivering news.
Behind the scenes, concerns have surfaced among staff that more departures could unfold quietly during the same 60-day window. One station source described a fear that some employees could be continuing to work while planning their exits, without speaking openly to coworkers.
Kacey Montoya’s plan through early April
Montoya said she will work her usual weekend shifts through March and into early April. “I hope you’ll join me starting this weekend, ” she said, framing the upcoming broadcasts as a chance to mark her final weeks.
She also outlined what comes next for her personally: running her non-profit, Fix’n Fidos, full-time during the week and exploring other opportunities. Fix’n Fidos raises money to spay and neuter pets in Southern California.
Quick context and what’s next
The layoffs removed five familiar on-air figures at once, and several of them did not get a chance to deliver traditional goodbyes to viewers. The 60-day notice structure has now created a staggered, uncertain farewell period, with at least one return to air confirmed.
For viewers, the next immediate milestone is Saturday, March 7, when kacey montoya is expected back on the weekend weather desk. After that, attention turns to early April, when her time at KTLA is set to officially end and the station’s next staffing decisions—and any further departures—could become clearer.
