Entravision will no longer produce newscasts at KLDO in Laredo.
News staff at the Univision affiliate were informed there would be no more newscasts produced at the station and that most of them were out of a job.
According to sources, HR reps notified the news team of the elimination of the local newscasts shortly after they finished working on the 5 pm show last night. The 10 pm newscast for the evening was immediately canceled. The station did not have weekend newscasts.
KLDO staffers were told Entravision was consolidating Texas operations and that the company would be producing a regionalized newscast out of its McAllen station.
Entravision has previously dismantled other local news operations for “hubbed” news out of other locations. In 2015, it did just that, canceling local newscasts at WVEA in Tampa. It also shut down news ops at KLUZ in New Mexico the same year. In both instances, it eliminated most of the staff.
At KLDO, Entravision eliminated multiple positions, including anchors, reporters, producers, and technical ops staff.
Among those who lost their jobs: news director Carlos Díaz, lead anchor Miguel Amante since 2013, longtime reporter Marissa Limón, who was part of the newscasts’ founding team and MMJ/anchor Erika González del Toro.
A source says anchor Alma Ferrara, who joined the station in 1997, will remain on staff in some yet to be announced capacity, as well as one MMJ, a news assistant and a photographer.
Sales, traffic, production and engineering staff won’t be affected by the cuts.
Update: At about 2:30 pm PT, Entravision issued the following one-line statement to Media Moves about the changes in Laredo: “We have consolidated our news operations which will allow us to provide broader news coverage that serves the market.”
Very sad on the changes made I was very happy with the staff you had. Mr Amante made news interesting. I hope it is possible for him to return he and Ms Limón also a good reporter. I thank you for giving the public a chance to comment on what we would like to have back.
So disappointed of the changes that were made. Miguel made the news so interested and fun to watch. But then again you will be losing plenty of viewers. Thanks for letting us express how we feel of the changes. I really hope you all consider bringing Mr Amante and Ms Limón back. Thanks
I’m very confused about this change. Laredoans will be viewing news given from the McAllen (The Rio Grande Valley) area?? I hope Entravision knows that despite our areas being in the general South Texas region these two areas are still very very separate. A big portion of the Spanish speaking population of Laredo (which is most of it) really relied on this channel to get their local news. How will this population benefit from the new Univision broadcast given from the Valley? I’m very very confused by this. I really hope they will still be covering Laredo well enough for its residents to stay informed about the local current events.
Entravision strikes again! For them, it’s all about the bottom line so it’s unlikely the laid off staff (anchors, reporters, etc.) will be returning. Best wishes to all the affected newscast personnel.
We Need Jobs Here In Laredo, Very Upset With What You’re Doing. We Want Our Lical News, Reporters, And All The Staff That was Removed Back. #LAREDO PEOPLE COUNT TOO!!!!! WE WANT MR. Miguel Amante, Hector Tijerina, Marissa Rodriguez Limón
So disappointed with the new changes,Mr Amante was one of the best that Univision( extradition) is so sad that you all are not counting with what the community wants, wow incredible in what Univision has had become really is no longer the same, so disappointed of what you did to our community.
Wow! Too bad out of town people recording local news. If corporations don’t know how to make money they should leave their station to other local companies willing to serve the market. This may be the end of local TV shame CEO focus in Dollars instead of audience and people. Also a shame the consolidated anchors have to record two more newscast for the same pay. Sad but true.
I hope that the cable company fill KLDO space with San Antonio news stations.
So very disappointed in the firing of the Laredo staff. I actually looked forward to listening and viewing the news. I don’t find you newscast group appealing and what is worse their Spanish pronunciations are not correct on occasions. I think you should rethink your decision and allow Laredo to keep their own newscast group. Just because Laredo and McAllen are on the border does not mean their needs are the same. Not watching your need anymore. Thankfully there are other choices. Enjoy your decision. For the newscast that was fired my best wishes to you. Move over to the other channel will be glad to see you there