If you’ve spent any time watching local news in Southern California over the last decade, you know the face. Evelyn Taft has been a staple of the Los Angeles broadcasting scene for a long time, and honestly, whenever she isn't on the screen for a few days, people start panicking. The "what happened to Evelyn Taft" searches start spiking on Google, and the rumors start flying on social media.
Is she leaving? Did she get fired? Is she sick?
The truth is usually a lot less dramatic than the internet wants it to be. As of early 2026, Evelyn Taft is still very much a key part of the KCAL News and CBS Los Angeles weather team. She hasn't vanished into thin air. She hasn't switched careers to become a professional mountain climber—though, given her history of trekking through South America and scaling Machu Picchu, she probably could if she wanted to.
Why People Keep Asking What Happened to Evelyn Taft
It’s kind of funny how attached we get to our local weather personalities. We plan our commutes, our weekend beach trips, and our outfits around their forecasts. So, when a viewer tunes in at 8:00 PM or 10:00 PM and sees a substitute meteorologist, the immediate reaction is "Wait, where’s Evelyn?"
Most of the "disappearances" people notice are basically just normal life stuff.
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- Vacations: Taft is a huge traveler. She grew up speaking Russian with her parents and has lived in London and France. When she goes off the grid, she’s often actually off the grid.
- The Schedule Shuffle: In late 2025 and moving into 2026, KCAL and CBS2 have continued to integrate their "Next Weather" branding. This sometimes means shifting talent around to different time slots or special "on-location" reporting.
- Family Time: She’s a mom. Sometimes she’s just taking a personal day to be with her kids, which is something every working parent gets.
We saw a similar wave of confusion years ago when she, along with Sharon Tay and Rick Garcia, moved from the night shift to the mornings. People thought they had left the station, but they had just moved to a different part of the day.
The Discrimination Lawsuit and the "No Degree" Rumor
You can't talk about Evelyn Taft's career without addressing the elephant in the room that pops up in legal blogs every now and then. There was a high-profile age and gender discrimination lawsuit filed by a former KCAL weatherman named Kyle Hunter.
Basically, Hunter claimed the station passed him over to hire "younger, attractive" women like Taft and Amber Lee. One of the sticking points in that legal drama was the claim that Taft didn't have the same American Meteorological Society (AMS) certification as some of her peers.
While that lawsuit created a lot of headlines, it didn't actually "happen" to Evelyn in the sense that it hurt her career. If anything, the station doubled down on her. She went out and earned her certificate in meteorology from Mississippi State University to solidify her credentials. She's also a member of the National Weather Association (NWA) and holds their Seal of Approval.
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She basically proved the skeptics wrong by putting in the work.
Where You Can Find Her in 2026
If you’re looking for her right now, don't worry. She is still forecasting those brutal Southern California heatwaves and the occasional "atmospheric river" that turns the 405 into a parking lot.
She is a core member of the Next Weather team. You’ll see her on the weeknight broadcasts, often appearing on both KCAL9 and CBS2 as part of their dual-station coverage. Recently, she’s been doing more "Weather in Your Neighborhood" segments, where she actually leaves the studio and reports live from places like the Hollywood Bowl or local festivals.
The "Secret" to Her Longevity
Why has she stayed at the top of the LA market while so many others have come and gone? It’s probably the "cool factor." Taft doesn't just read a teleprompter; she has this sort of relaxed, conversational vibe that feels authentic. She isn't a "weather robot."
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She’s also incredibly versatile. Before she was a meteorologist, she was a reporter and an anchor. She’s covered everything from Santa Barbara County wildfires to entertainment news. That range makes her valuable to a newsroom that is constantly trying to do more with less.
What to Do if You Don't See Her On Air
Before you assume the worst or start a "Bring Back Evelyn" hashtag, check these three spots:
- The KCAL News Website: Their "Meet the Team" page is updated pretty regularly. If she’s still on that page, she’s still employed.
- Her Social Media: She’s usually pretty good about posting behind-the-scenes clips or "weather alerts" on her Instagram or Twitter (X). If she’s gone on a long trip, she’ll usually post a photo of a plane wing or a beach eventually.
- The "Next Weather" App: Since the station is pushing their weather tech so hard, she’s often the face of the video updates on the mobile app.
Basically, Evelyn Taft is doing just fine. She’s navigating the weird world of local TV news in 2026 with the same grace she’s had since she first showed up in LA. No scandals, no mysterious disappearances—just a professional doing her job and taking the occasional well-deserved break from the green screen.
How to stay updated on Evelyn's latest reports:
- Download the KCAL News app for real-time video forecasts.
- Follow her verified social media accounts for personal updates and schedule changes.
- Tune in to the primetime 8:00 PM and 10:00 PM slots on KCAL9, which remain her primary home.