UPDATE:

Allen Media Group has heard your voices. Multiple stations have been removed from the lay-off plan for the foreseeable future. This is fantastic news for the stations that are safe for now. 

These stations include:

WTVA in Tupelo, MS
WAAY in Huntsville AL
KWWL in East Iowa
WSIL in Harrisburg IL
KEZI in Eugene OR
KDRV in Medford OR

This is fantastic news for these stations, their weather teams, and the communities they serve!

But the work is not done. Many meteorologists have already lost their jobs, and others are still on the board to be cut sometime before March. 

So our work continues!

I encourage you all to share this petition in those other affected markets listed at the bottom of this petition

 ****Original Petition Text Below***

As a resident deeply affected by the potential loss of our local meteorological teams at WTVA in Tupelo, MS as well as stations across the country owned by Allen Media Group (AMG), I know firsthand the vital role they play in our community. Their communication during severe weather, their presence on the ground in affected areas, and their familiarity with the area they are reporting for are paramount to an effective alert system, keeping people safe and informed.

Removing our local meteorological team means losing the trust and confidence built over the years, and replacing them with outsourced teams who may not fully understand the unique weather patterns in our locality. In times of severe weather, immediate and accurate information is not a luxury—it's a necessity. According to a study by the National Severe Storms Laboratory, 95% of individuals depend on local news sources for emergency information, demonstrating the importance of keeping our meteorologists local (National Severe Storms Laboratory, 2021, "Public Use of Emergency Information").

Our local meteorological teams at WTVA in Tupelo MS, Chief Meteorologist Matt Laubhan, John Dolusic, Chelsea Simmons, Gabe Mahner, and all those behind the scenes, serve as more than weather forecasters—they act as a lifeline for our communities. This petition calls upon the management of Allen Media Group to recognize this crucial fact and to keep our meteorological teams local. Please sign this petition and help us maintain an essential service in our community.

We in Tupelo stand in solidarity with all the communities across the country who will be adversely affected by the removal of their trusted weather teams. 

Link to the news story about pending lay-offs: https://www.djournal.com/news/local/wtva-facing-more-layoffs-from-parent-company-allen-media/article_987b1c98-d502-11ef-9872-6b4424e63a26.html

Web form for contacting AMG https://allenmedia.tv/contact/

Facebook page for updates and sharing https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572418372335

Affected Locations and Stations:

SAFE*** WTVA Tupelo, MS www.wtva.com
KIMT Rochester, MN / Mason City IA  www.kimt.com
SAFE*** KEZI Eugene, OR www.kezi.com
SAFE*** KDRV/KDKF Medford / Klamath Falls, OR www.kdrv.com
KHSL/KNVN Chico / Redding, CA www.actionnewsnow.com
WTHI Terre Haute, IN www.wthitv.com
WLFI West Lafayette, IN www.wlfi.com
WFFT Fort Wayne, IN www.wfft.com
SAFW*** WAAY Huntsville, AL www.waaytv.com
WEVV Evansville, IN www.wevv.com
KADN Lafayette, LA www.kadn.com
KITV/KIKU Honolulu, HI www.kitv.com
WAOW Wausau, WI www.waow.com
WQOW Eau Clair, WI www.wqow.com
WKOW Madison, WI www.wkow.com
WXOW La Crosse, WI www.wxow.com
SAFE*** WSIL Carterville, IL www.wsiltv.com
KVOA Tucson, AZ www.kvoa.com
WREX Rockford, IL www.wrex.com
SAFE*** KWWL Waterloo, IA www.kwwl.com
WJRT Flint, MI www.abc12.com
WCOV Montgomery, AL www.wcov.com

Please share with your friends and families in these areas!