Lynette Romero, whose sudden exit from KTLA caused confusion, fan-driven boycotts, and the firing of a co-anchor who supported her, confirmed Tuesday that she has been hired at Los Angeles rival KNBC, as TheWrap previously reported.
“Breaking Good News. I’m joining the legendary @NBCLA family as anchor for Today in LA. You’ve been asking where you can follow me & now my friends you know! Help me finally share my good news!” she tweeted.
Romero will anchor NBC4’s weekday newscast from 4:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. alongside co-anchor Adrian Arambulo, meteorologist Belen De Leon and traffic anchor Robin Winston. Her first day on-air will be October 10, KNBC announced on Tuesday.
“Lynette has the right combination of journalistic experience and genuine warmth that comes across on the air and in person,” said Renee Washington, vice president of news at NBC4. “She is a dynamic anchor with an upbeat approach to help our viewers kick start their day, and I am happy to welcome her to the NBC4 family.”
In the video shared to Twitter, Romero said, “I have a new family, I have a new home. I’m going to ‘Today in LA’ at NBC4 and I’m so excited. So come with me, let me open the door and welcome you in. I can’t wait to get started.”
Before her stint at KTLA, Romero anchored and reported at KUSA in Denver, Colorado, where she covered news events including the standoff in Waco and the bombing of the Federal Building in Oklahoma City.
Romero’s departure, in which she made no on-air farewell announcement, prompted speculation that the network had unceremoniously let her go after 24 years, a conclusion that was bolstered by the on-air reaction of her former co-anchor, Mark Mester. After criticizing the network’s treatment of Romero, Mester was suspended, then fired. Mester has since reportedly hired an attorney and may pursue legal action against the CW affiliate. He hasn’t responded to TheWrap’s requests for comment.
