Cleveland’s News 5 suddenly announced the departure of longtime meteorologist Mark Johnson after more than 30 years last week.
On Friday, May 9, the news station shared via its website that Johnson “is no longer employed at WEWS.” It did not disclose the reason for the change.
“We want our audiences to know that News 5 and its parent company, Scripps, take protecting our audiences’ trust very seriously by requiring our employees to adhere to the highest ethical standards. We cannot provide further details, as this is a personnel matter,” said Steve Weinstein, WEWS VP and GM, in a statement on the website.
WEWS added that “safety and accuracy” are the priority, and it will “begin an immediate search for Johnson’s replacement.”
PEOPLE reached out to News 5 Cleveland for comment but did not immediately hear back.
News Director Jodie Heisner told Cleveland.com that the station couldn’t “comment beyond what was posted on our website.”
Johnson’s page has also been scrubbed from WEWS’ website, Cleveland.com reported.
The meteorologist has not publicly addressed his exit. On Friday, he changed his Facebook cover photo from an image of him doing a news segment to lavender, thunderous skies.
In November 2023, Johnson celebrated 30 years with WEWS, writing on Facebook, “Truly honored and blessed to be a part of the News 5 Cleveland Family for 3 decades. Thank you for welcoming me into your home all these years. #grateful.”
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Johnson graduated from Kent State University in 1988 and began working for WEWS five years later, in November 1993. He has garnered Seals of Approval from the National Weather Association and the American Meteorological Society.
PEOPLE contacted Johnson for comment.
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