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Last week, viewers of LA-based news station KTLA were confused and shocked when it was announced mid-broadcast that after 24 years, weekend morning news anchor Lynette Romero "has decided to move on from anchoring" to pursue "another opportunity elsewhere."
Entertainment reporter Sam Rubin informed viewers:
"Some news we've just been handed here that we wanted to share with you first about a member of our KTLA family, after nearly 24 years, Lynette Romero, our friend Lynette, has decided to move on from anchoring our weekend morning news."
"KTLA management had hoped she would stay here her entire career, and KTLA worked hard to make that happen, but Lynette has decided to move on to another opportunity elsewhere."
Viewers were none too pleased with the abrupt exit of one of their favorite anchors, many questioning if there were underlying reasons for the sudden departure.
Romero's former co-anchor Mark Mester also believed she was treated unfairly and addressed the issue on-air the following morning. His apology to viewers led to his suspension.
You can view the two-part video below:
\u201c@mester_mark\u201d— mark mester (@mark mester) 1663426089
The rest of the segment is below:
Part two pic.twitter.com/DrWxgbg0ie
— Wade (@wadewire) September 17, 2022
During the segment, Mester apologized to viewers for the "unfortunate" and "inappropriate" handling of the situation and also apologized to Romero :
"Lynette deserved to say goodbye. It didn't happen."
"I don't know who wrote the script, I don't know who handed it to Sam Rubin. Regardless, this was a mistake."
"We owe you an apology, and we owe Lynette an apology."
Mester also tweeted the referenced message in the sky for Romero:
\u201cNow is the perfect time to tell @LynetteRomero you love her. We love you Lynette \u2764\ufe0f\u201d— mark mester (@mark mester) 1663426769
Mester was suspended from the station following the broadcast.
Fans of Romero and Mester shared their support for the duo while also criticizing KTLA:
\u201c.@mester_mark you did the right thing! Thank you for acknowledging the contributions of .@LynetteRomero! That\u2019s a sign of true leadership - being courageous, doing what others are too afraid to in a critical moment. You earned more stripes with this one. Keep shining Mark! @KTLA\u201d— Asali Grace (@Asali Grace) 1663681930
\u201cAre you freaking kidding me @KTLA ?!? That\u2019s why @mester_mark was not on Sunday? He spoke from his heart and honestly saved you with his words. And you go and do this? He even praised management. Just wow. @LynetteRomero\u201d— Jorge (@Jorge) 1663704271
\u201c@wadewire @mester_mark Mark, I stand behind you 100%! You are now being punished for apologizing for Lynette\u2019s departure. KTLA, you need to explain to your MANY viewers why you are dismissing Mark! Also, why is Lynette gone without a warning?? Not even your style! Very disappointed at KTLA\ud83d\ude14\u201d— mark mester (@mark mester) 1663426089
\u201c@KTLA is unhinged!!!! KTLA Weekend Anchor Mark Mester Reportedly Suspended After Tribute to Former Anchor Lynette Romero #NewsBreak https://t.co/X15SBNi0hf\u201d— Lilia Tanakeyowma (@Lilia Tanakeyowma) 1663681042
\u201c@mester_mark @KTLAMorningNews @LynetteRomero @KTLAWeekendAM @mtelles @kirkhawkins @DougKolk I just heard Mark was suspended? Is this true?? If so, this is beginning to look like a circus. KTLA, after 25 years of watching - this is insane ! Make it rite ! Get it together ..\u201d— mark mester (@mark mester) 1663356735
\u201c"I woke up feeling like this" This SUCKS. I really enjoyed my weekend morning news watching both LYNETTE ROMERO & MARK MESTER on KTLA. Bring them BACK or I'm switching channels... Nasty-Nes\n@lynetteromero \n@markmester \n@ktlaweekendam \n#ktla\u201d— Nasty-Nes (@Nasty-Nes) 1663680652
\u201cI am suspending viewing @KTLA and @KTLAMorningNews until Mark Mester returns to his desk.\n\nI hope others do the same. See how that 2 way street works, @NXSTMediaGroup ?\u201d— Howlin Hilda (@Howlin Hilda) 1663788806
\u201c@mester_mark you did the right thing! I love how you stood up from your friend. @KTLA PUT THIS MAN BACK ON AIR\u201d— Justin Taylor \uea00 (@Justin Taylor \uea00) 1663863558
\u201cnot only was Lynnette Romero not given a proper departure from KTLA but Mark Mester was suspended because he called KTLA out for their bs\u2026 that\u2019s genuinely so sad. those two were some of my favorite anchors to watch in the morning on KLTA. both of them deserve better.\u201d— \u0442\u03c3\u044f\u03b9 (@\u0442\u03c3\u044f\u03b9) 1663804417
\u201c#markmester #KTLA\nMark, thank you for standing up and supporting Lynette. This whole thing has been a disaster for KTLA. It seams strange to me that to support a friend you get suspended from work. This does not look good for KTLA.\u201d— Sandra Wellen (@Sandra Wellen) 1663779861
\u201c@KTLA We cannot believe what we are hearing; Mark Mester has been placed on some kind of a suspension.\n\nHave you guys lost your mind? Don't the voices of the fans mean anything anymore?\n\nYou're getting a 1 Star "Don't Recommend" Yelp review for this.\u201d— Dark Moe (@Dark Moe) 1663864180
\u201cSuch courageous chivalry is dead. #markmester you\u2019re one of the good ones. @KTLAMorningNews @ktla should be ashamed of themselves. Give #lynetteromero a proper send off.\u201d— The Gibbsster (@The Gibbsster) 1663735396
\u201cShame on you @KTLA Regardless of where @LynetteRomero is moving on to, she provided many years and was the main reason viewers watched @KTLAWeekendAM She deserved better from you. Thank you @mester_mark for your grace and beautiful speech.\u201d— Icy Kanfer (@Icy Kanfer) 1663428000
\u201cWow @KTLA & @KTLAWeekendAM I always thought you were a shady news station that had a bad habit of not speaking the truth. Suspending @mester_mark for having the balls to speak up about Lynette Romero just confirmed that 100%. Your anchors, reporters & staff deserve better.\u201d— Thug Wife (@Thug Wife) 1663524513
We have learned that Mester hired an attorney following his suspension.
Although viewers of KTLA news will certainly miss Mester and Romero on their screens, we wish them well on their future endeavors, wherever they may be.