Overview

• Local newscasts ceased effective Tuesday across KION-TV and co-located Telemundo 23 in Salinas.
• KION replaced its 5 p.m. broadcast with KPIX’s Bay Area CBS newscast, which KPIX is branding as a merger.
• Staff members described being blindsided, with some saying they learned of their layoffs from news coverage before formal notice.
• The shutdown is expected to cut more than 20 positions, according to employees and local reports.
• Station owner News-Press & Gazette, which bought KION in 2013, has not provided a public explanation despite requests for comment.