Overview

• On July 28, during gusts exceeding 70 mph in southeastern Minnesota, KTTC chief meteorologist Nick Jansen paused his live broadcast to text his wife and confirm their baby was safely in the basement.
• Jansen’s brief on-air message prompted an apology and Facebook defense that has since amassed over 15 million views and about 285,000 likes.
• A viewer’s email labeling the action “unprofessional” led Jansen to explain that pausing coverage was driven by his role as “a husband and a father first.”
• KTTC Vice-President and General Manager Stephanie Hedrick released a statement praising Jansen’s decision and highlighting the station’s commitment to both viewer and family safety.
• In a recent NBC News interview, Jansen revealed he had similarly interrupted coverage during a prior tornado warning and stressed that he applies to his own household the safety advice he gives viewers.