KTLA Reporter Reveals Layoffs Came on Her 40th Birthday

Ellina Abovian was among the KTLA employees let go by Nexstar in a wave of newsroom cuts.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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KTLA reporter Ellina Abovian revealed that she was blindsided by her layoff from the Los Angeles news station, which came on her 40th birthday. Abovian was among several KTLA employees, including Mark Kriski, Kacey Montoya, Lu Parker and Glen Walker, who were let go by Nexstar Media Group as part of a broader cost-cutting effort amid the company's pursuit of a merger with Tegna.

Why it matters

The layoffs at KTLA are part of a larger trend of media consolidation and cost-cutting in the industry, which labor unions like SAG-AFTRA have criticized as eroding resources and talent that local communities rely on for trusted news. The timing of Abovian's layoff on her birthday also highlights the personal toll these corporate decisions can have on individual journalists and their families.

The details

Nexstar enacted the wave of layoffs at KTLA and WGN on Wednesday in an effort to cut costs while pursuing a merger with Tegna. Abovian said she was "blindsided" by the layoff and that it "hurts" and "cuts deep" since she cared deeply about her work. She is now having to process the news as a single mother of two children.

  • Nexstar enacted the layoffs at KTLA and WGN on Wednesday, February 26, 2026.
  • Ellina Abovian's layoff came on her 40th birthday.

The players

Ellina Abovian

A KTLA reporter who was let go from the Los Angeles news station as part of Nexstar's layoffs.

Nexstar Media Group

The company that owns KTLA and enacted the layoffs as part of a cost-cutting effort while pursuing a merger with Tegna.

Mark Kriski

A KTLA employee who was let go as part of the Nexstar layoffs.

Kacey Montoya

A KTLA employee who was let go as part of the Nexstar layoffs.

Lu Parker

A KTLA employee who was let go as part of the Nexstar layoffs.

Glen Walker

A KTLA employee who was let go as part of the Nexstar layoffs.

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What they’re saying

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

— Ellina Abovian, KTLA Reporter (Threads)

“By laying off journalists across the country, Nexstar is eroding the resources and talent that local communities rely on for trusted news. These actions highlight the risks of media consolidation and underscore the urgent need for regulators and the company to prioritize the public interest and the professionals who serve it.”

— Sean Astin, SAG-AFTRA President (SAG-AFTRA Press Release)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.