KTLA Reporter Laid Off on Her 40th Birthday

Ellina Abovian was one of five on-air personalities let go by parent company Nexstar as it seeks to cut costs before a merger.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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Ellina Abovian, a reporter at KTLA in Los Angeles, was one of five on-air personalities laid off by parent company Nexstar Media Group on her 40th birthday. Abovian, along with weatherman Mark Kriski, weathercaster Kacey Montoya, and midday anchors Lu Parker and Glen Walker, were let go as part of corporate restructuring ahead of Nexstar's planned merger with Tegna.

Why it matters

The layoffs at KTLA are part of a broader trend of job cuts in the media industry as companies seek to reduce costs and streamline operations. Abovian's emotional response highlights the personal impact these decisions can have on employees, especially those with long tenures at a station.

The details

Abovian had worked at KTLA for 11 years, appearing in viewers' homes every day. In a video message posted to social media, she expressed her shock at being "blindsided" by the layoff and her sadness at leaving behind her "KTLA family" of photographers, editors, and producers. Abovian is also a single mother of two children, adding to the personal impact of losing her job.

  • Abovian was laid off on February 26, 2026, which was her 40th birthday.
  • The layoffs at KTLA were part of a broader round of cost-cutting measures by parent company Nexstar as it pursues a merger with rival Tegna.

The players

Ellina Abovian

A reporter who had worked at KTLA in Los Angeles for 11 years before being laid off on her 40th birthday.

Nexstar Media Group

The parent company of KTLA that laid off Abovian and four other on-air personalities as part of cost-cutting measures ahead of a merger with Tegna.

Tegna

The media company that Nexstar is pursuing a merger with, which is driving the cost-cutting measures at KTLA.

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What they’re saying

“Yes, it's true. I'm not at KTLA anymore, and I won't be returning. Earlier this week I, along with several of my KTLA dear friends and colleagues, were laid off as part of corporate restructuring.”

— Ellina Abovian (Threads)

“I was not expecting this. I was blindsided, and it hurts. It cuts deep, because I cared about what I did.”

— Ellina Abovian (Threads)

What’s next

Abovian indicated she plans to continue her career and is not deterred by the layoff, stating "KTLA is not the only mountain I'm ever going to climb. In fact, this is just the beginning."

The takeaway

Abovian's emotional response to being laid off on her birthday highlights the personal toll that corporate restructuring can have on employees, especially those with long tenures at a company. Her situation reflects the broader challenges facing the media industry as companies seek to cut costs and streamline operations.