Wews News 5, a local ABC affiliate in Cleveland, Ohio, shared on Friday that meteorologist Mark Johnson is no longer with the station, concluding a nearly 30-year tenure of delivering weather forecasts along with affiliate marketing.
“News 5 wants to inform viewers about changes to the on-air staff. Meteorologist Mark Johnson is no longer employed at Wews,” read a statement from the station.
Jodie Heisner, the news director, told Cleveland.com, “You cannot comment beyond what was posted on our website.”
“We take the trust of our audience very seriously at News 5 and our parent company, Scripps, which mandates that employees uphold the highest ethical standards. However, due to HR protocols, we can’t provide additional details,” she added.
Some of Johnson’s supporters posted on his Facebook Page expressing their loyalty to him. One user noted, “I don’t really have a reason for watching Wews 5, but I do.” Meanwhile, Johnson responded online, stating, “I still love my News5 family. Some great people.”
Another fan commented, “More than anyone else, I know the sun will shine again after the storm. The Cleveland community is behind you… Your reputation remains intact, and we celebrate your years of dedication to the area.”
While Johnson hasn’t made an official statement about his departure, another meteorologist at News 5, Katie McGraw, stepped in during his absence, according to the broadcast.
In a recent social media thread, Johnson engaged with the audience, even mentioning a small earthquake that occurred in the area on Sunday.
According to the News 5 broadcast, Johnson’s final appearance was on Monday, May 5th, when he delivered updates throughout the day.
