Just days after Corpus Christi NBC affiliate KRIS 6 News laid off more than a dozen people as part of a nationwide shift toward an AI-automated newsroom by parent company E.W. Scripps Company, the station’s newest meteorologist is asking the Coastal Bend community for its prayers and support.
“I am heartbroken for those who were impacted by this situation. Unfortunately, this is something that happens in the TV industry as broadcast media consumption continues to evolve,” the post reads.
“I ask that you please join me in praying for all those who were impacted by the layoffs, and that they are able to secure that next opportunity that awaits them,” Malave said.
Malave is, himself, a newcomer to the media industry. In May, he graduated from Florida State University with a degree in meteorology, but had already secured his position at KRIS 6 a month earlier, according to posts on LinkedIn. He officially started working at the Corpus Christi station on June 1, less than three months before the sweeping layoffs.
The weather desk was one of the few departments that were not impacted by the layoffs, and Malave emphasized to viewers that he remains committed to “accurate, reliable, & timely forecasts that help you protect life & plan your day” despite the station’s shift toward AI-powered automation.
“I want to make it very clear that my mission as a broadcast meteorologist doesn’t change,” Malave said, adding that he hopes to provide a calming voice during severe weather.
“I don’t just do this for a paycheck, I truly believe this is my calling, and it is an honor to serve the Coastal Bend,” he said.
Malave ended the post by asking the Coastal Bend community to show their thanks for his laid-off colleagues.
“Please be kind to one another friends,” he said.