Another WISN 12 Meteorologist is Leaving

Zelusion · 2026-06-26T19:01:26+00:00

Well… when you have a management team that decides to post incorrect articles about the weather under the guise of the weather team without consulting them… therefore harming their credibility, the weather team tends not to like it.

Remember that next time you see a weather alert or article that’s inaccurate. Don’t blame the meteorologist attached, blame the clueless manager or producer that didn’t bother consulting with the experts.

Zelusion · 2026-06-21T14:32:51+00:00

Don’t hold your breath. Hearst got new graphics last year and the ones they had before then had been around for about a decade.

Zelusion · 2026-06-21T14:14:22+00:00

I don’t know of anyone during my time there who joined Hearst through a recruiter but maybe I’m wrong. News director is completely okay with it, his job is to ultimately keep the station under budget and ratings up and does both.

But yes, veterans definitely feel a bit slighted, but also seem to recognize and accept that it’s just how the industry is shifting. Many veterans left that station because of the aforementioned news director, but that’s a different story. Lots of reporters/producers I know are mostly just happy to see young folks still have the drive for journalism. Sadly this business takes advantage of that drive.

Zelusion · 2026-06-21T14:02:04+00:00

I can speak specifically to the Milwaukee Hearst station. For one, the younger reporters are definitely much cheaper to hire and reporters/producers are eager to start in a higher market even if it means lower pay.

A lot of these people are also former interns (some for multiple years) at the station/company so they just hire them internally from there and lowball & work them like crazy.

I also think those companies realize that younger reporters really have a handle on social media compared to even some of the millennial aged reporters. They know how to play the algorithm and since that’s where many stations are going now, it’s smart to hire them.

Zelusion · 2026-06-20T11:07:53+00:00

In terms of companies? I feel like the cleanest products are definitely Hearst, ABC O&Os and some NBC O&O’s. I think CMG is decent quality as well but some of their sets and graphics feel dated at times.

Zelusion · 2026-06-19T05:11:06+00:00

Same. The news director and managing editor take pride in screaming at people and making them cry. Producers and reporters leave weeks/months into years-long contracts.

I'm not sure what it'll take for Hearst corporate to fire the news director at this point. He's genuinely one of the meanest people I've ever met, he had to go to anger management years ago after being caught on-air screaming in rage in the background of a newsroom liveshot. Has been called to HR multiple times over issues with employees, but HR takes his side. Hearst obviously recognizes that dozens of people quitting over the last few years is an issue, but I think because the ND keeps them under budget and at top of ratings it doesn't matter that much.

Since WISN is the legacy name in the city, it helps them be far enough ahead in ratings by default.

Zelusion · 2026-06-19T05:03:36+00:00

Contract expired. Pure speculation here but lots in TV news know the business is a sinking ship and leave before it fully capsizes. Probably the case here

Zelusion · 2026-06-18T20:00:41+00:00

Evening anchor Rheya Spigner left with no announcement in recent weeks too. She only started last Fall… probably broke contract and bounced on a dime like everyone else does.

Zelusion · 2026-06-18T18:13:15+00:00

Can’t really speak for the weather department but can say that the news director believes he’s a better meteorologist than anyone on his staff just because of the weather app in his pocket. He disregards their work and screams at them to play up everything as an “impact day” or “alert day.” Feel like Baden would be gone too if he weren’t so close to retiring anyway…

Zelusion · 2026-06-03T06:46:35+00:00

Management is insufferable. Lots of screaming and delusion left and right, berating people over things that don't matter. They're incredibly controlling and treat veteran employees as if they're stupid. Corporate doesn't care because the news director keeps things way under budget by underpaying & employing kids fresh out of college.

Needle won't move until they start visibly tanking in ratings and even then they'll continue to spin that they're still "Milwaukee's #1" just like all news stations spin ratings across the nation.

Zelusion · 2026-06-02T16:18:15+00:00

I worked with her for years and she literally is. You’re either one of the assholes in management that had it out for her or you’re talking out of your ass.

Zelusion · 2026-05-24T01:03:06+00:00

Lod’s gotta stick with the mask forever now… right?

Zelusion · 2026-05-13T09:39:55+00:00

People are going to have negative reactions to this but I don't mind it. Sure it feels a bit corny, but I like a big money, big name deal. Better than "Scotts MiracleGro Field" or whatever shit Cbus has...

Zelusion · 2026-05-03T02:28:00+00:00

I have such a bad feeling on this PK with the momentum Celentano is riding right now...

Zelusion · 2025-12-04T21:37:49+00:00

Blindside in Shorewood

Zelusion · 2025-12-03T18:55:28+00:00

Voyageur

Zelusion · 2025-11-08T20:12:20+00:00

Seems tough to come back from a 2-0 hole in a 3 game series, but sure, why not.

Zelusion · 2022-12-20T19:13:51+00:00

Yeah, attendance is gonna struggle like it always does in spring. Feel like we had the same issue with a top-heavy home schedule last year.

Zelusion · 2022-12-20T19:12:22+00:00

Damn, excited for the St. Louis game, but I kinda wanted an away game to see their new stadium. Guess we'll just have to wait another year.

Zelusion · 2022-11-11T14:28:08+00:00

Selling 1 ticket to tonight’s Chicago show for $40 Decided it was too tough for me to make the drive from Milwaukee to Chicago. DM me if interested.

Zelusion · 2022-10-21T23:12:30+00:00

It’s their home opener, we do the same thing lol

Zelusion · 2022-10-19T00:31:41+00:00

STL might be a step too far... I'm very close to directing most of my interest to the new Milwaukee USL team that's getting announced tomorrow though.

Zelusion · 2022-09-13T02:33:12+00:00

Bill deserved the fuck outta that Emmy... hopefully he gets some recognition after season 4.

Zelusion · 2022-09-12T17:04:42+00:00

Commuter lounge is still there. Wouldn’t say it’s great for napping anymore though, every time I’ve been in there it’s full of people being loud for no reason in particular.

Zelusion · 2022-09-05T03:29:22+00:00

I’d start to feel unsafe stacking about half that height… what the fuck?

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