LONG ISLAND, NY — Viewers are saying goodbye to familiar faces at News 12 Long Island after a staff shakeup leaves longtime employees out of a job.
At least four News 12 anchors and reporters have announced on social media that they will be leaving Altice USA, shocking viewers and fans of their work.
“After nearly 16 years my time at News 12 has come to an end. It's still surreal and hard to digest,” said anchor and reporter Jackie Lucas.
Interested in local real estate?Sign up for Patch's new newsletter to be the first to hear about open houses, new listings and more.
“Having said that, wow, what a journey it has been. Even as a daily storyteller, it's almost impossible to put into words what this journey has meant to me,” she wrote. “I started at News 12 when I was just 23 years old. I worked hard and rose through the ranks. During that time I got married, had three amazing babies and was able to be a hands-on mum while balancing my career. It was the best of both worlds and I have no regrets.”
Lucas thanked the viewers. “We laughed together, we cried together, we spent uncertain and scary moments together. I hope I've brought you some sort of comfort and consistency over the years…and also managed to make you smile. We should have some fun too — right!?”
Interested in local real estate?Sign up for Patch's new newsletter to be the first to hear about open houses, new listings and more.
He added that the future remains uncertain: “So what's next? I'm not sure. I'm leaving all my options open, but for now I'm going to enjoy my family and sleep past 3:30 on the weekends. I hope you'll continue to follow me on my journey… and thank you again for all your love and support!”
Sportswriter Jamie Stuart also said in a Facebook video that he had just finished his last sports broadcast, after 21 years. “The memories I have of covering my favorite teams and telling your stories will last forever,” Stuart said.
He recalled the highlights of his tenure, which included winning multiple Emmys. “What's next? I'm not sure. But as someone once told me a long time ago, “It's not goodbye. Instead, see you soon.”
News 12 reporter Christine Insinga said on Facebook that it was hard to believe she had been working with News 12 LI for nearly 20 years.
“Prior to that I wore many hats behind the scenes as a freelance editor, associate producer and production assistant. So it's extremely bittersweet to tell you that my time there has come to an end,” he said.
Insinga also thanked viewers: “Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to reach out, comment and watch over the years. You're what it's all about. What's next? I'm still working on it, but I'll keep you posted!” ! Stay healthy and be kind,” she wrote.
“It's really hard to say goodbye, especially after so long…but it's over,” Shari Einhorn wrote on Facebook. “After nearly 28 years, my time at News 12 Long Island has come to an end. It's hard to believe and I'm still processing it all.”
Einhorn said she started as an intern “way back in 1993 while I was getting my master's degree … and I never left. After my internship, I went from freelancing to full-time and then part-time when my boys were born. I pretty much learned how to become a TV news reporter while I was at News 12 and trained dozens of other reporters as well.”
He added: “I'm truly honored to have spent nearly three decades telling stories about Long Islands, about Long Islands, about Long Islands. I've laughed with you. I've cried with you. I've even chased some of you down.”
Einhorn also thanked the viewers. “I'm not sure what's next for me. I'm still figuring it out, but I'm excited for new opportunities and keeping my options wide open! I hope you hang in there and see what's next.” he said.
A spokesperson for Altice USA, which bought Cablevision in 2015, said in a statement: “As News 12 continues to expand and strengthen its news organization, we are focusing additional resources to cover more challenging investigative reporting and news-driven stories. consumers. As a result, we have created several full-time journalism positions to align with our programming content as we continue to provide the best hyperlocal news coverage on Long Island.”
But the news left many unhappy.
“It pains me to see so many award-winning, popular and extremely talented journalists go,” Drew Scott told Patch.
Scott is a former News 12 anchor and reporter who retired in 2017, dedicated to raising awareness after losing his granddaughter to an overdose.
“Altice should do everything possible to keep these well-known and much-loved talents,” he said.
It's not the first time Altice has been in the news for job cuts: In 2018, a lawsuit against Altice over staff cuts at News 12 made headlines.
“Changing News12 means changing the dynamics of the public debate,” Jaci Clement, CEO and executive director of the Fair Media Council wrote in 2018 in an article titled “Altice Cuts to News12 Threaten Long Islanders ».
“The issues that matter, the historical accuracy and the area's legacies will be lost as Long Island loses its voice and, with it, its identity,” Clement wrote.
Get more local news straight to your inbox. Sign up for free newsletters and Patch notifications.
