WGN TV Lays Off Several On-Air Talents in Major Shakeup

The layoffs come as parent company Nexstar works to merge with Tegna.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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Newsrooms in Chicago are buzzing after WGN TV laid off 8-9 on-air talents on Monday, in a major shakeup at the local station. The layoffs come as WGN's parent company, Nexstar, is working to merge with Tegna in a deal that is currently under regulatory review.

Why it matters

The layoffs at WGN, a longtime fixture in the Chicago media landscape, are indicative of the broader changes and challenges facing the local television news industry. As media companies consolidate and adapt to shifting viewer habits, veteran on-air personalities are often impacted.

The details

According to the Sun-Times report, the layoffs at WGN included several camera-facing employees, following recent layoffs of writers behind the scenes. A Nexstar spokesperson stated that the company is 'taking steps necessary to compete effectively in this period of unprecedented change,' but did not provide further details on the specific reasons for the layoffs.

  • The layoffs occurred on Monday, February 24, 2026.

The players

Nexstar

The parent company of WGN TV, which is currently working to merge with Tegna.

Tegna

The media company that Nexstar is seeking to merge with, in a deal that is under regulatory review.

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The takeaway

The layoffs at WGN TV are a reflection of the broader challenges facing the local television news industry, as media companies navigate consolidation and adapt to changing viewer habits. The impact on veteran on-air personalities underscores the need for the industry to find sustainable models that balance cost-cutting with maintaining quality local journalism.