The recent termination of Indiana meteorologist Alex Kerkhove has raised questions about her close relationship with veteran WTWO chief meteorologist Jesse Walker. Some anonymous staff members have characterized their bond as “creepy,” noting that they were “attached at the hip.”
At the Nexstar-owned Terre Haute station, employees informed an industry newsletter, FTVLive, that Walker had shown a considerable interest in Kerkhove even before she officially joined WTWO post-graduation from Purdue University, with claims that they engaged in frequent chats before her hiring and developed an obsession with one another.
As a Weekend Meteorologist and Reporter, Kerkhove reportedly was not fulfilling her role fully. One insider mentioned that even after her shifts, she would often be seen with Walker. It appears this dynamic continued outside of the station hours.
Another source mentioned Kerkhove’s tendency to come into the station on off days, dine with Walker, and join him for outdoor shoots. They also noted a painting that Kerkhove gifted to Walker five months after they met, which Walker later shared on his social media. This seemed more intimate than what one might expect from a typical mentor-mentee relationship, as suggested by an insider.
While FTVLive stressed its uncertainty about the nature of Kerkhove and Walker’s relationship, it seems that numerous individuals at WTWO viewed it as diverging from customary professional boundaries.
The revelations followed Kerkhove’s sudden exit from WTWO, which garnered significant support from viewers. In June, Kerkhove announced on Facebook that she had been informed it was her last day due to management’s lack of vision for her future at the station. She claimed that her professional Facebook account was deleted without her knowledge, leading her to post on her personal weather page.
In a detailed narrative on social media, Kerkhove expressed frustrations about her time at WTWO, mentioning restrictions on speaking with Walker while on duty and limitations on her assignments, including her removal from on-air weather roles soon after her hiring.
After management discovered she had a job offer elsewhere, Kerkhove claimed they tried to convince her to stay but ultimately dismissed her concerns and proceeded to seek a replacement for her position. She described an early-morning meeting where she was told it would be her last day, pressured into resigning, and subsequently escorted from the premises by HR. By the time she got to her car, her email access had been revoked, and her Facebook account was gone.
Kerkhove acknowledged Walker as a crucial support during her disputes with management, saying in her farewell post that he had been her rock and a significant source of strength throughout her time there.
Following her departure, Walker defended Kerkhove, recalling that such treatment was rare in his lengthy career and praising her as one of the best meteorologists he had worked with. He expressed that the way management handled her exit influenced his own decision about the future at WTWO, as he valued their professional partnership.
Recently, Walker shared photos of a river outing with Kerkhove, noting that it was her first time on a river trip. Meanwhile, Nexstar, the parent company, asserts that Kerkhove was not fired, though she maintains she was terminated. The Post has attempted to contact Kerkhove, Walker, and WTWO for comments.
