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A TV weatherman has been mysteriously taken off-air by network bosses after a career that spanned more than 30 years.
Meteorologist Mark Johnson had been informing WEWS-TV viewers for more than three decades before chiefs confirmed he had been let go.
WEWS chiefs announced on Friday that Johnson was no longer employed.
“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,” Steve Weinstein, the network’s vice president, said.
“We cannot provide further details, as this is a personnel matter.”
Johnson’s sudden departure from the network left viewers annoyed – with some threatening not to watch the channel again.
“Well no reason for me to ever watch WEWS 5 every again. Not without Mark Johnson,” one viewer raged.
Johnson replied to the post and said: “I still love my News5 Family. Some great people.”
Fans have said they’ve been left in disbelief by the weatherman’s departure.
“I am in complete and utter shock!!! This is unreal” one said.
“I loved watching Mark Johnson on news channel 5!!!”
The devastated viewer paid tribute to Johnson for how he would brighten their day by pulling pranks and telling jokes.
They described the presenter as a “breath of fresh air.”
Scores of social media users have threatened to boycott WEWS-TV as a result.
Johnson joined WEWS-TV in 1993 and spent more than 30 years at the network.
In November 2023, he marked his 30th anniversary with the channel.
“Truly honored and blessed to be part of the News 5 Cleveland family for 3 decades,” he wrote on Facebook.
“Thank you for welcoming me into your home all these years.”
Johnson’s biography on the WEWS website has since been removed, as reported by the Akron Beacon Journal.
He picked up Emmy Awards during his journalism career.
Johnson was also part of the American Meteorological Society and received a gong from the National Weather Association.
But, the weatherman changed his Facebook cover photo after it became apparent he had left the network.
Johnson has been active on social media following his departure from WEWS.
He paid tribute to his late mother on Mother’s Day and he shared a picture of a seismograph of an earthquake that rocked Ashtabula County, Ohio.
And, he appeared to tease his future plans.
“My 30 years in media have prepared me for the next step,” Johnson teased on his LinkedIn account.
“This is not only the future, it is the now!”
