Three KDKA on-air staffers included in Paramount layoffs

More layoffs have been commanded from Paramount’s new parent company. As many as 1000 employees company wide were to be released starting today. Locally Paramount owns KDKA-TV (2) and WPKD (19).

Altogether at Gateway Center about a dozen people have been released from their positions including three on-air staffers. They include Katie O’Malley who has served as a reporter on Pittsburgh Today Live, the station’s 9:00 a.m. talk show. O’Malley posted about her exit on social media:

Also exiting are Kelly Dzanaj who has been a co-host on the afternoon talk show, Talk Pittsburgh, and Lisa Smith who has worked as Community Impact Director and host of the public affairs program, Intersections. The program will now have a monthly schedule and the air talent will share the hosting duties.

Following this round of layoffs, the company expects to cut another 1000 sometime in the coming months as the company continues to, seemingly, “right size” itself.

(Trib)