KTVX Channel 4 and KUCW Channel 30, the ABC and CW television affiliates that have endured a number of changes because of the crippling economy, are asking all employees to take 10-day furloughs this year.
It's part of a companywide policy from the stations' parent company, Newport Television, which owns more than 55 TV stations nationwide.
"In the midst of the current financial challenges, we believe this to be the most advantageous and least disruptive of the available options for our employees," KTVX and KUCW general manager Matt Jaquint said in a statement.
He added that the unpaid furloughs apply to all employees, including on-air talent with contracts.
Elsewhere, the No.1-rated newscast, KSL Channel 5, laid off one show producer last week, as well as made other personnel adjustments, said its news director, Con Psarras. And veteran KSL science and health reporter Ed Yeates is expected to retire the end of this month. Yeates, who has been with KSL for 36 years, will still freelance for the station on a weekly basis.
KTVX, as well as KSL Channel 5 and KUTV Channel 2, has had to lay off workers in the past year for economic reasons, including letting go co-anchors Randall Carlisle, and Terry and Susan Wood. Nighttime KTVX co-anchor Barbara Smith returned to reporting and was replaced in the anchor chair by Karen Carlson.
Also last week, KSTU Channel 13's longtime meteorologist, Jodi Saeland, left the Fox station. Saeland, who had been with Fox 13 for more than 12 years, elected not to have her contract renewed when it ended this month, said KSTU general manager Tim Ermish.
"As a surprise to us, she decided to be a mom and stay at home as [her] kids are growing," he said. "It is a loss for us. We would love for her to be with us again, but we understand."
Weekend meteorologist Brett Benson is filling in for Saeland on the 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. newscasts while the station looks for a full-time replacement.
Fox13 also is expanding its noontime newscast by a half hour each weekday. "Live at 11" will now run from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
