FOX17 layoffs

[grnewsie]

Scripps gutted FOX17 this week. Twenty people laid off.

https://www.ftvlive.com/sqsp-test/2025/ ... -more-cuts

[MWmetalhead]

FTV Live said the number is ten as opposed to twenty. Still a big number nonetheless.

It's very sad to see how Scripps has ruined the great station Tribune built.

I take it the sportscasts will either be read by the news anchor talent or will be piped in from WXYZ?

[grnewsie]

FTVLive number is incorrect.

The station held a meeting today and said 20 laid off. Approximately ~7-10 open jobs will not be filled either.

[MWmetalhead]

Yikes. I am sorry to hear that.

[statmanmi]

Seeing the mention of sportscasts prompted me to wonder who had been covering the scope of late. Turns out the WXMI website only listed the recent hire Thomas Cook.

Further Googling has briefed me up that Remi Monaghan concluded her employment at Fox 17 in early February. She's now with the American Heart Association, and has a recent news posting on that organization's website.

Like MW noted, what was a great station is going downhill.

Somewhere at home I have a VCR tape that includes the initial minutes of the first Fox 17 newscast (at 10pm), which opened with I believe the Station Manager welcoming the viewers. Today's changes has me wondering if I'll soon be able to bookend that video with a farewell from their remaining local news team?

Take care, Statmanmi

[andymuskegon]

spoke and hub, coming sooner than later

[dwp49423]

I looked earlier this evening and did not notice anyone missing from the on air staff section. Either the cuts are behind the scenes or the website had not yet been updated to remove the now former employees.

[RKC123]

If I had to guess, Scripps outside of their weird Scripps Sports endeavors will be 100% produced remotely across the country. There were postings everywhere for "Media Manager, Scripps Sports- remote" just a few weeks ago. The description said something about being in charge of getting footage from various teams and making melts remotely to send to stations. I wouldnt be shocked if Scripps stations turn to highlights only soon...

[DefendTheDen]

Feel sorry for those that lost their jobs at FOX17. I liked Remi Monahan she did a good job doing sports. Why does the Scripps CEO still have a job?

[RKC123]

Feel sorry for those that lost their jobs at FOX17. I liked Remi Monahan she did a good job doing sports. Why does the Scripps CEO still have a job?

From what I've gathered Remi was able to leave on her own terms, thank goodness. Another good egg that has left the industry on purpose.

[BlackandGoldNews]

Wondering if they will still have The Blitz every fall... Local sports coverage has become non-existent in KZoo/WWMT so I hope 17 keeps it going.

[48125er]

Wouldn't be surprised if Scripps sells the Fox affiliation like Quincy did in 2016 with WSJV Fox 28 in South Bend after they gutted it. and Fox becomes a subchannel of Wood, WWMT or WZZM

[zackeast]

My weird left-field prediction with zero evidence to back up this dumb idea…

Scripps gives up the Fox affiliation and ‘sells’ it to WZZM. 13 becomes Fox, stops having to compete for ABC viewers.

Even weirder prediction… 17’s signal survives and becomes a second broadcast home to WOTV.

I am not smoking anything. I swear.

[grnewsie]

From someone at the station: FOX17 will be rebranded as 'Neighborhood News' like FOX47. Disaster incoming.

[Localnewsisdead]

Here is an mlive article about the layoffs at Fox 17:

https://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids ... -12DJ8DwxA