TV and Radio Blog

By dogladydi

January 22, 2012 3:57 PM | Link to this

What a shame! Add me to the growing list of morning viewers who will be moving away from KXAN. I am sure Shawn will land somewhere great, just hoping it is in our viewing area.

By AB

January 21, 2012 7:10 PM | Link to this

KXAN has really done it this time! My husband and I are lifelong Austinites and have always tuned in for Shawn Rutherford's weather. You have cut these people out who have been in our homes for many years, every single day, and with no explanation. Clearly, it is nothing but a money decision to you. Well, you have just lost two more viewers completely. We will eliminate KXAN from our remote selector.
Shawn, good luck to you and your family. If you find a spot on another sstation, we will follow you there.

By Shelly Sacone

January 21, 2012 11:09 AM | Link to this

You will be missed Shawn. My prayers to you and your family. Add me to the list of those who will no longer be watching KXAN.

By Larry

January 20, 2012 12:58 PM | Link to this

Well, let's see ....Dan Robertson, Jim Bergamo, Katenyna Mc Henry, Nanci Wilson, numerous others with great talent and integrity...wonder who's next? Chris, Sally, Jim, are y'all still employed there today...it IS a Friday, you know.
And Shawn, I can't believe they did this to you. From one South Txeas boy to another, keep your chin up and your eyes on the prize. I gaurantee you, this will turn out to be the best thing ever for your career. KXAN's 15 minutes of fame is about over, anyway.

By Chrystal

January 19, 2012 5:24 PM | Link to this

I am very upset with how KXAN is treating their employees especially Shawn Rutherford. I have been watching KXAN for at least 13 years, and will now be changing that.

By Robben

January 19, 2012 1:15 PM | Link to this

KXAN management needs their heads examined. Any Texas non concerned about the weather hasn't lived here very long. We watch KXAN for Jim Spencer and Shawn Rutherford. The lose of Rhonda Lee is no lose, she brought the intelligience of the entire station down 30 points. The morning show WAS my way of catching up. This will seriously change the channels that are watched at my house. Just months ago I was surveyed by a company for KXAN and I bragged on everyone on the air EXCEPT Rhonda Lee. Katenya McHenry was ok as long as Rhonda wasn't there to bring along the stupid. I hope this decision bites management.

By Ann

January 19, 2012 12:44 PM | Link to this

I'm sad to hear Shawn is gone. I watched him every morning and when I didn't see him this last week i knew something was up. KXAN I'm sorry but I won't be watching now, I like Chris and Sally but I'll be watching another news station may be Fox.

By Wade

January 19, 2012 12:42 PM | Link to this

My wife and I are no longer watching KXAN in the morning now. We have been waking up with KXAN for years now. Shawn was a big part of our morning. Now that we are starting all over, we may as well find a new channel to watch. KXAN'S management really messed up with this decision. Note to KXAN management… my wife and I were already on the fence about changing channels. Management and Producers do a great job with the stories and reports that are run. However, when you wake up in the morning, it is rather annoying to hear the same story run 3 or 4 times. Shawn, you will be greatly missed. Best of wishes to you as you move on. If I am not mistaken, I believe you had a large part in developing the Lightning Strike Technology that KXAN uses. I hope you take that with you. If you move to a new station in Austin, we will be changing over. Take Care.

By BC

January 19, 2012 12:37 PM | Link to this

Ditto all the preceding remarks. Someone in management is a few french fries short of a happy meal. Rutherford was a member of the best morning/noon team in Austin. IF they cull Spencer, Rhode, and Hadlock they might as well give up TV broadcasting in Austin. KXAN has a strong team with impressive depth but management has weakened it significantly. What a disappointment!

By Stephanie

January 19, 2012 6:45 AM | Link to this

Like many on this board I have also been watching KXAN since long-before Shawn and the current team. I am completely blown away by his termination and some of the other changes that have been written about here. I guess it is time to explore other viewing options, because I cannot support this decison by KXAN management. A new level of stupid. Wow.

By Caprice

January 18, 2012 10:30 AM | Link to this

I have been in Austin since 1999 and the news team at KXAN was much better with Shawn. We do like Chris Willis and we loved Rhonda Lee and Catenya McHenry what a class act they are. We will not watch KXAN in the morning or Weekend we will watch Fox with Chris's wife Katherine mornings.

By Andrew

January 18, 2012 10:18 AM | Link to this

Shawn has been a household fixture at our home since he arrived at KXAN. I have to say that I have in my decades of working for the "man" seen the best and most talented, admired people thrown to the curb by the establishment's most egocentirc, power hungry "little people" that feel threatened and want all of the control. Shawn was one of the best components for KXAN and it now appears that they are going to slide even further in the ratings because like many other viewers we are DONE with your station. Do you hear me DONE!

By Jennifer Hudson

January 13, 2012 12:04 PM | Link to this

Well KXAN I have been faithful to your station, wow drop Shawn for who? Really !!!! I am so sorry to hear that KXAN made the decision to get rid of Shawn. that is really too bad!!!! Shawn good luck I am so sorry to hear that a tv station would get rid of a really great person and news man an replace with a meek person that stumbles around wow so sorry!

By Toni Guerrero

January 13, 2012 9:25 AM | Link to this

I will no longer watch KXAN either. KXAN it is time you get rid of those people who are the so called bosses. You are losing valuable, likeable people. Even before Shawn Rutherford, his predessessor left abruptly as did one of the co-anchors, she was great. You are running off some of your best employees. It's really too bad because you will be the cause for bad ratings.

By Toni Guerrero

January 13, 2012 9:19 AM | Link to this

I am also disgusted by this. I think the so called big wigs should take a hike. Shawn was great, very personable, family man, responsible, alwsys there. I will not be watching KXAN anymore. I have watched since before Shawn was on it. I remember the meteorolgist before him too. He just dissappeard as did one of the co-anchors. She was great and I know she had problems with bosses too. Get rid of those guys. KXAN you can do better.

By Russell L. DaMetz

January 12, 2012 10:54 PM | Link to this

I'll be watching Mark and Troy from now on. Shawn was the best and the most pleasant weatherman to watch. He will be missed.

By MB

January 12, 2012 3:32 PM | Link to this

Shawn Rutherford was always an assuring presence delivering the weather. Calm, knowledgeable, personable--all the things you'd want to see in an on-air personality. I wish all this jockeying with local media management would stop. It seems like all the reliable TV-radio personalitites are getting fired, one after the other. If ratings are that bad, maybe management needs to do a little looking inward. It sure wasn't Shawn Rutherford's fault. I will miss him, and I'll probably tune to FOX 7 instead now, for my morning look-see at the weather and news. At least they know how to retain their talent there.

By ADC

January 12, 2012 10:40 AM | Link to this

mtyler - You are right on the money. In the past 6 months the management has terminated and harassed around 7 hardworking individuals for all the wrong reasons. The news director, general manager and hr are all a bunch of bullies.

By KenInSouthAustin

January 12, 2012 9:03 AM | Link to this

This is a disgusting example of corporate America. Those in charge shouldn't be...
Our best wishes to Mr Rutherford and his family.

By mtyler

January 11, 2012 11:36 PM | Link to this

The inside scoop from someone well-connected; It's all power issues, the managers at KXAN are very threatened by anyone with a voice. The higher-ups are very cold, and don't have a happy home life, so take it out on more successful, strong-minded employees. The KXAN bosses thrive on the power, and were obviously picked on in high school. Shawn got fired because he had a strong voice; so did Catenya; as well as Nanci Wilson, and a promotions producer who also got the boot last week. Apparently, it was also a personality issue with Debra Wynn. Reagan Hackleman was so fed up, he just left and management is too embarrassed to even talk about that (mainly because they didn't have the upper hand). It's really a joke at KXAN. It's not about the skills, it's about the power-trips. The humor in all this is they have no idea that most the people in that station see right passed them.

By Jim

January 11, 2012 7:36 PM | Link to this

Most of if not all of the morning shows around the network shows in Austin need work. Reporting is hit and miss. With Austin as the state capital, that alone would be enough. Add the problems in Williamson County with the DA, judges, and sheriff, this is also a lot of fertile territory. Austin in the Silicon Hill Country and this is under reported.

The bottom line, from my perspective the issues are with mediocre news directors and general managers, not the faces on TV. This is bad when one grew up with Richard "Cactus" Pryor. Cactus with Alzheimer's was better than most of the current news staff and management.

By Bill G.

January 11, 2012 8:27 AM | Link to this

If KXAN's reason to fire Shawn Rutherford was because the station was in 3rd place for the 4:30AM newscast didn't they notice that they were in 1st place tied with KVUE for the 6:00AM slot? Shawn did the weather at 6:00. How many people watch a 4:30 newscast? Most viewers are still asleep at that time. The problem was not Shawn, the problem is management at that station. The owners need to consider replacing the management. It sounds like KXAN is very disfunctional. Shawn was very good and from what I hear a great family man. I wish Shawn and his family the best and hopefully he will be hired by a station that appreciates him. I am done with KXAN!!

By Sue M

January 10, 2012 8:10 PM | Link to this

Add me to those who will miss Shawn Rutherford! What were the execs thinking!

By GSD

January 10, 2012 6:55 PM | Link to this

I can tell you that all of the parents that have come to daycare this week that previously watched KXAN in the mornings (and most did), no longer do. KXAN has now burned one too many bridges in this town by firing a great weather man, friend to everyone and fine example of how to parent and live your life. We trusted his forcasts, his knowledge and respected him in every way. Never again will any of us watch a local newscast of KXAN News - we have already switched to KVUE. Best of Luck Shawn! We are praying for you - when one door is SLAMMED another is held open!

By Pianotom

January 10, 2012 4:59 PM | Link to this

What a terrible loss for the viewers and what a stupid mistake for KXAN management. Shawn Rutherford really comunicated with us. His personable approach to his reports really conected with the viewers. Once again, the poor judgement of management wins out over common sense. There area some good people still around on KXAN, but we havea lost a member of the family in Shawn. Dumb move, KXAN management---dub, dumb, dumb.

By BG

January 10, 2012 4:58 PM | Link to this

I am truly disgusted with all the changes at KXAN, especially now with the departure of Shawn Rutherford. He made watching the weather interesting and a pleasure and he gave the appearance of a truly caring individual. Today was my last day to watch any and all the programming at KXAN. Maybe the people in charge be next to go, they deserve to be booted out.

By BG

January 10, 2012 4:57 PM | Link to this

I am truly disgusted with all the changes at KXAN, especially now with the departure of Shawn Rutherford. He made watching the weather interesting and a pleasure and he gave the appearance of a truly caring individual. Today was my last day to watch any and all the programming at KXAN. Maybe the people in charge be next to go, they deserve to be booted out.

By ADC

January 10, 2012 4:29 PM | Link to this

re: whatisname - Shawn didn't say anything on air to upset the bosses, he is way to professional for anything like that. It was in the manager's meeting and at the station during the day.
There is a lot of Shawn love on here and it is completely deserved. One of the true good people. If yall didn't know, Shawn and his wife adopt children as well as raising their own. They kicked him to the curb while he is taking care of 4-5 kids.

By Jennifer

January 10, 2012 3:12 PM | Link to this

I'll be making a complaint to the station. I really like Sally and Chris, but soon Sally will be the only one left from the morning team. Big mistake, letting Shawn go, KXAN. Big. HUGE.

By News Watcher

January 10, 2012 12:41 PM | Link to this

that really sucks! I really liked watching Shawn in the morning. He's too good for KXAN though. He'lI end up getting a better job in a bigger city. I heard reporter Reagan Hackleman quit KXAN too, but the station is trying to keep in under wraps. When was the last time you saw that guy on tv? Seems like people are getting out or being forced out at KXAN left and right...I wonder what's going on?

By AMCH

January 10, 2012 12:04 PM | Link to this

That's too bad, and a mistake for KXAN - I liked Shawn Rutherford's weather reports in the morning more than any of the other channels. He always came across as a genuine person, hope he finds a much better position.

By whatisname.....

January 10, 2012 12:01 PM | Link to this

ADC....did he express some kind of opinion on the air?

By Morris

January 10, 2012 10:46 AM | Link to this

This sucks! He was one of my favorites. Except for Jim Spencer I will not feel guilty when I start watching other stattions.

By Charles B. Waters

January 10, 2012 10:41 AM | Link to this

KXAN has been our favorite News Channel to watch, but no longer after reading the sad news of Shawn Rutherford and others who have been fired from KXAN. We could depend on Shawn for accurate reporting of the Weather. Believe me Shawn was not the problem in KXAN's drop to third place in the ratings.

By Charles Waters

January 10, 2012 10:33 AM | Link to this

KXAN has been our favorite News Channel to watch through the years, but that will change as of today when I read in the Austin Statesman the termination of Shawn Rutherford. Shawn was one of our favorite Meterologist and could depend on him for accurate weather conditions, etc. I pray Shawn will be hired by a News Channel that will appreciate him more as a dependable, loyal, employee rather than the ratings. I am sure he was not the problem with the drop in rating to third place for KXAN. Maybe you need to look at those anchoring the early morning news and the Weather Director.

By G Dowdy

January 10, 2012 9:28 AM | Link to this

All I can say is that Shawn Rutherfor was the only reason I watched KXAN in the mornings. Great guy and great weather forcaster. I ran into him at Starbucks a couple of times, just a regular person. Wonderful family man. I will never watch KXAN news again. SO LONG JERKS!

By FAN OF SHAWN &, CATENYA

January 10, 2012 8:25 AM | Link to this

THIS IS SO SAD! MY CO-WORKERS AND I ALWAYS ENJOYED WATCHING SHAWN AND HEARING HIS WEATHER REPORTS ABOUT THE WEATHER AND FAMILY. WE ALSO ENJOYED CATENYA ON THE WEEKENDS. WITH THE EXCEPTION OF JIM SPENCER I WILL BE WATCHING OTHER STATIONS IN THE MORNING FOR MY NEWS AND WEATHER. GOOD LUCK TO ALL OF THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN LET GO. I HOPE TO SEE YOU AGAIN ON TV IN THE FUTURE. GOD BLESS!

By ADC

January 9, 2012 4:55 PM | Link to this

From someone that knows the people there, they do all of that weather because studies show that the demographics (people 48-72) want more weather than news. Shawn did a great job, but when he voiced his opinion they fired him. The team that actually writes the news and reports it wins Emmy's because of their talent, not the Executive Producer, General Manager or HR (or a lousy excuse for HR). Currently they are removing, firing and harassing people from those Emmy award winning teams. Those gone are replaced by cheaper replacements that will follow the direction of the General Manager and E.P. (have they ever won an Emmy while actually producing content?)”

By dinop

January 9, 2012 4:54 PM | Link to this

Jarrod Wise sounds like Mr Garrison from South Park while I'm pretty sure that Doug Shupe used to be in the B-52's.

By Austin Nerd

January 9, 2012 4:28 PM | Link to this

I am sorry to hear about this. Sean was the weather caster for us nerds. I'm not too happy about all these stealth layoffs at KXAN -- worse than the tech industry.

By DSM

January 9, 2012 4:17 PM | Link to this

Not surprising, KXAN spends the least time reporting news and the most time reporting weather and other non-events. I don't know how they make any money---I guess all those car dealerships that advertise constantly every commercial break.

KTBC always reports the most news content and actual interesting material.