‘Code Red’ Forecaster, WICS ‘Resolve Differences’
Sinclair’s Springfield, Ill. ABC affiliate WICS and its former meteorologist Joe Crain have released a joint statement, saying they have “resolved their differences in a private agreement and will be moving on from their dispute.”
One week ago Joe Crain, the morning meteorologist at WICS Springfield, Ill., called out station management for mandating over-the-top “Code Red” weather alerts. Now Crain is officially out of a job. A spokesman for the station’s parent, Sinclair Broadcast Group, confirmed Wednesday night that “Joe was let go.”
Price Point | Was The ‘Code Red’ Meteorologist Right?
Hank Price: “The commitment of local broadcasters and their owners to the communities they serve is legendary. No corporation is perfect, nor is every policy. Employees have the right to disagree and should do so when they believe something is wrong, though hopefully not on a public forum.”
WICS Advertises For Meteorologist’s Replacement
The ad for a WICS Springfield, Ill., morning meteorologist showed up Tuesday on owner Sinclair Broadcast Group’s website. It follows meteorologist Joe Crain’s on-air criticism of Sinclair’s Code Red weather alert policy.
‘Code Red’ Alert Gone After Meteorologist’s Knock
Joe Crain, a WICS Springfield, Ill., meterologist since 2004, disappeared from the weather report after ad-libbing June 5 about the “Code Red” moniker that station owner Sinclair Broadcast Group implemented as a severe-weather alert. Late Monday, WICS GM Rick Lipps said in a video posted to the station’s website that “Code Red,” which “may no longer be fitting,” will be replaced with “Weather Warn.”
Local Businesses Pull Ads From WICS In Support Of Weathercaster
At least four local businesses have pulled their advertising from WICS Springfield, Ill., in support of meteorologist Joe Crain, who has been absent from the station’s broadcasts following his on-air criticism of owner Sinclair Broadcast Group’s “Code Red” weather alert system.
Exclusives
WICS Forecaster May Be Out After Criticizing Sinclair
Joe Crain has been a meteorologist at WICS Springfield, Ill., for 15 years. On Monday, he might not have a job to return to. The reason? Crain criticized Sinclair Broadcast Group’s initiative to implement mandatory “code red” days in their affiliates’ forecasts. Meteorologists at local stations under Sinclair’s auspices are encouraged — or at times, forced — into declaring code red days, the decision often made by management. And during Wednesday morning’s broadcast, Crain had had enough.
