It happens fast. One night you’re watching your favorite local news team, and the next, there’s a new face at the desk with zero explanation. When people start searching for a kttc news anchor fired, they’re usually looking for one of two things: a specific scandal from a few years back or the recent wave of departures that has left the Rochester, Minnesota, airwaves feeling a little empty.
Honestly, the TV news business is brutal. Contracts end, people move on to bigger markets, or sometimes, they just walk away to be closer to family. But when someone is actually let go—especially under controversial circumstances—it sticks in the local memory for years.
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What Really Happened With the KTTC News Anchor Fired
If you’re looking for the most "famous" instance of a firing at the station, you have to look back at James Bunner. This wasn't just a quiet "pursuing other opportunities" exit. It was a national headline.
Bunner was a multimedia journalist for KTTC who was sent to cover a Donald Trump rally in Rochester. While on assignment—and this is the key part—he was spotted wearing a "Make America Great Again" hat. A photographer from the Star Tribune snapped a picture of him in his station-branded jacket and the red hat, and within 24 hours, he was out of a job.
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KTTC’s news director at the time, Noel Sederstrom, didn't mince words. He basically said the station doesn't allow staff to wear campaign clothing while on the clock. It’s a standard journalism ethics thing: you can't look like you’re taking sides when you’re supposed to be the unbiased observer. Even so, the move sparked a massive debate online about free speech versus workplace policies.
Recent Departures: Layoffs vs. Resignations
Fast forward to 2024 and 2025, and the roster at KTTC looks very different. While the term "fired" gets thrown around on social media a lot, most of the recent exits have been more about career changes than scandals.
- Tom Overlie: This one hit viewers hard. After nearly 25 years, the legendary anchor announced he was stepping back in March 2024. He wasn't fired; he wanted to help his parents and try some "creative endeavors."
- Megan Zemple: In late 2025, Zemple decided not to renew her contract after six years. She was open about it being a "difficult decision," but she chose to stay in the Rochester community, just in a different career path.
- Darian Leddy: She left the morning show in early 2024, which is often when viewers start Googling "who was fired" because the morning routine suddenly feels off.
Why the "Fired" Rumors Start
Why do we always assume someone was canned? It’s because local news stations are notoriously tight-lipped. When a contract isn't renewed, the station often says nothing. The anchor’s bio just disappears from the "Meet the Team" page overnight.
This lack of transparency is what fuels the search for a kttc news anchor fired. When Gray Media (the parent company) announced layoffs at other regional stations like KEYC in Mankato in late 2024, people in Rochester naturally got nervous. They saw the news being "regionalized" and assumed their favorite local anchors might be on the chopping block next.
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Navigating the Changing Newsroom
The industry is changing. We’re seeing more "shared" newscasts where one anchor might broadcast to two different cities. This consolidation often leads to staff cuts that look and feel like firings to the audience, even if they are technically "position eliminations."
If you see a familiar face disappear, check their professional Facebook or LinkedIn pages first. Most journalists who leave on good terms will post a "thank you" note to the fans. If there’s stone-cold silence? That’s usually when the legal "policy violation" talk starts happening behind the scenes.
Actionable Steps for Viewers
- Check Verified Socials: Skip the neighborhood gossip groups. Look for the anchor's official page for a personal statement.
- Monitor Parent Company News: Keep an eye on Gray Television’s corporate announcements. If they are "restructuring," more departures are likely coming.
- Support Local Journalism: If you value specific reporters, engage with their work. Stations track "reach" and "engagement," and sometimes that data is what keeps an anchor at the desk during budget cuts.
The reality of the kttc news anchor fired search is that while one specific 2018 incident fits the bill, most modern departures are just the result of a shifting, sometimes shrinking, media landscape.