NEXSTAR: Following flagship station layoffs, employees wait for the other shoe to drop

Oregon (Portland market – heavy overlap)
KOIN — CBS affiliate (Nexstar, pre-merger)
KRCW — The CW affiliate (Nexstar, pre-merger; often branded as Portland’s CW)
KGW — NBC affiliate (formerly TEGNA; now Nexstar)

Washington state
KING-TV (Seattle–Tacoma) — NBC affiliate (formerly TEGNA; now Nexstar)
KONG (Seattle–Tacoma) — Independent / MyNetworkTV-style (formerly TEGNA; now Nexstar)
KREM (Spokane) — CBS affiliate (formerly TEGNA; now Nexstar)
KSKN (Spokane) — The CW affiliate (formerly TEGNA; now Nexstar)

Nexstar had previously owned stations in the Seattle market (KCPQ and KZJO) but divested them years ago and does not currently operate others in Washington beyond the former TEGNA properties.

Idaho
KTVB (Boise) — NBC affiliate (formerly TEGNA; now Nexstar)
KTFT (Twin Falls; satellite/semi-satellite of KTVB) — NBC affiliate (formerly TEGNA; now Nexstar)

Pre-merger Nexstar in the region:
Primarily the two Portland stations (KOIN and KRCW).
Former TEGNA in the region: Seven stations total across the three states (KING/KONG in Seattle; KREM/KSKN in Spokane; KGW in Portland; KTVB/KTFT in Idaho).

The merger significantly expands Nexstar’s presence in the Pacific Northwest, creating duopolies or strong multi-station presences in Portland, Seattle, and Spokane.

FEBRUARY 2026 — Nexstar conducted sweeping reductions in news, on-air talent, production, and support roles at multiple stations, with heavy impact in the top three media markets. These were described as part of broader restructuring to address industry challenges and prepare for the TEGNA merger.

WGN-TV Chicago: At least 9–21 positions eliminated in recent weeks (reports vary on exact timing within February).
Included 8–9 on-air anchors/reporters: Ray Cortopassi, Sean Lewis, Bronagh Tumulty, Judy Wang, Julian Crews, Paul Lisnek, Chris Boden, Dean Richards). Additional cuts: 6 news writers and 3 technical director positions. SAG-AFTRA reported 8 union members impacted.

KTLA Los Angeles: At least 5 on-air personnel laid off, including longtime meteorologist Mark Kriski, midday anchors Lu Parker and Glen Walker, weathercaster Kacey Montoya, and reporter Ellina Abovian. Additional unspecified reporters and newsroom staff affected.
Some employees reported being “blindsided” with minimal notice. (latimes.com)

WPIX New York (operated by Nexstar via Mission Broadcasting): At least 3–4 on-air personnel cut, including anchors/reporters John Muller, Craig Treadway, Kori Chambers, and Arrianae LeBeau. Cuts also hit news production, sales, and technical support roles. (thedesk.net)

Industry estimates place the total on-air/newsroom cuts in this round at at least 27 people (including veterans), with some sources suggesting higher numbers when including behind-the-scenes roles.
SAG-AFTRA condemned the moves as “attacks on local news” and an erosion of resources for communities.

Nexstar eliminated creative services positions (e.g., promotion, graphics, video production) at stations across its entire portfolio.
Shift to a centralized “hub” model (e.g., in Dallas and Nashville). One source estimated nearly 400 positions impacted nationwide. This followed similar centralization efforts in late 2024. (newscaststudio.com)

Additional smaller or station-specific cuts may have occurred but are not widely reported.

Nexstar’s official stance: The company is “taking steps necessary to compete effectively in this period of unprecedented change.”
The timing coincided with Nexstar’s push for (and eventual closure of) the TEGNA acquisition, raising concerns from unions, regulators, and critics about further consolidation and potential future job losses in overlapping markets.

Post-merger, analysts expect more restructuring, especially in markets where Nexstar and TEGNA previously competed, but no new rounds have been confirmed yet.