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Viewer Backlash Follows Meteorologist Kelly Bates' Job Loss

9/13/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Kelly Bates, a meteorologist in Providence, Rhode Island, lost her job after WLNE-TV's acquisition by Sinclair, which owns WJAR-TV.
Bates, previously at WJAR until 2021, was let go as a "redundancy" in the new structure.
Viewer backlash followed, with fans using hashtags like #BringBackKelly and starting petitions.
Bates thanked her colleagues on social media and encouraged potential employers to consider them.
Sinclair's acquisition consolidates operations of two major network affiliates, raising job security concerns for ABC6 employees.

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Story summary

Kelly Bates, a meteorologist in Providence, Rhode Island, lost her job after WLNE-TV's acquisition by Sinclair, which owns WJAR-TV.
Bates, previously at WJAR until 2021, was let go as a "redundancy" in the new structure.
Viewer backlash followed, with fans using hashtags like #BringBackKelly and starting petitions.
Bates thanked her colleagues on social media and encouraged potential employers to consider them.
Sinclair's acquisition consolidates operations of two major network affiliates, raising job security concerns for ABC6 employees.