The Great Exodus: 5 High-Profile ABC 6 News RI Anchors Who Left In The Wake Of The September 2025 Shakeup

The recent, dramatic turnover at ABC 6 News RI (WLNE-TV) has sent shockwaves through the Southern New England media landscape, with a significant number of beloved, high-profile anchors and reporters leaving the station. This major staff exodus, which intensified in late 2024 and culminated in a massive shakeup in September 2025, was not due to routine contract expirations but was a direct and painful fallout from the station's acquisition by new management, leading to widespread layoffs and a complete restructuring of the newsroom. Viewers in Providence and across Rhode Island are now grappling with the sudden absence of familiar faces who had been staples of their local news for years.

The situation at WLNE-TV is a textbook example of how corporate mergers and acquisitions can immediately impact local journalism, often resulting in staff reductions to streamline operations and cut costs. The September 2025 events, in particular, saw the departure of some of the station's most prominent figures, including two of its most recognizable on-air personalities. This list details the top anchors and reporters who have recently left ABC 6 and the dramatic circumstances surrounding their exits.

The September 2025 WLNE-TV Anchor and Reporter Departures: Full Biography Profiles

The most recent and impactful departures at ABC 6 News RI are directly tied to the station's acquisition, which was finalized in the latter half of 2025. The parent company of rival NBC 10 (WJAR) bought the non-license operations of WLNE-TV, while Sinclair Broadcasting Corporation acquired the license, leading to immediate and deep staff cuts that targeted veteran talent.

• The Unseen Story Jessica Simpsons Battle For Privacy And Body Image In A Digital Age Mlvqa

Here are the complete profiles of the most prominent figures who departed during this period:

Kelly Bates, Meteorologist

• Role at ABC 6: Meteorologist, a long-time, popular fixture in Rhode Island and Southern New England weather forecasting.
• Career Snapshot: Bates has a distinguished career in broadcast meteorology, which began at WMUR in New Hampshire. She first came to Southern New England in 2000, serving as the weekend meteorologist at ABC 6. She then spent a significant 17-year tenure at WJAR (NBC10) before leaving in 2021 due to what she described as challenging working conditions. Her return to WLNE-TV was celebrated by viewers, making her subsequent layoff particularly poignant.
• Reason for Departure: She was let go in the September 2025 staff reductions following the station's acquisition and management change. Bates publicly spoke out, noting that losing her job this way had "happened again," highlighting the volatility in the local news industry.
• Current Status: Following her high-profile layoff, Bates has remained a prominent figure in the local community, though her next on-air role in 2025 remains a topic of intense speculation among viewers.

Nick Coit, Sports Reporter & Director

• Role at ABC 6: Award-Winning Sports Reporter, often serving as Sports Director.
• Career Snapshot: Coit has been a respected voice in the sports media industry for over a decade. He started his career as a freelance sports producer at Boston 25 News before joining ABC 6 in 2014. He is a regular award winner in broadcast journalism and was named the 2017 Rhode Island Sportscaster of the Year. His coverage included in-depth reporting on local teams, including the University of Rhode Island Rams. He also works for cable sports broadcasters like NESN.
• Reason for Departure: Coit was cut as part of the same September 2025 staff reductions that affected Kelly Bates and numerous other staffers, a move that shocked many local sports fans.
• Current Status: Given his strong reputation and existing connections with organizations like NESN, Coit is expected to continue his award-winning sports coverage, whether on a new local platform or through national/cable sports outlets in 2025.

Matt Blanchette, Reporter

• Role at ABC 6: News Reporter.
• Reason for Departure: Blanchette announced his departure from WLNE-TV and, more significantly, his decision to leave the television news business altogether. This move reflects a broader trend of journalists exiting the demanding, high-stress local news environment.
• Current Status: He has moved on from TV news, pursuing opportunities outside of broadcast journalism.

Hughes, Meteorologist

• Role at ABC 6: Meteorologist.
• Reason for Departure: Hughes was one of the clearest casualties of the ownership change. He was hired at ABC 6 in June 2025 and was subsequently laid off just three months later in September 2025 following the purchase by Sinclair and the WJAR parent company.
• Current Status: His brief but ill-fated tenure at WLNE-TV is a testament to the instability of the station's newsroom during the merger period.

The Shocking Truth Behind the WLNE-TV Acquisition and Layoffs

The primary driver behind the wave of ABC 6 News RI anchors leaving is the complex transaction involving the station's ownership. The station, WLNE-TV, was effectively split and sold. The acquisition by Sinclair Broadcasting Corporation, a major media conglomerate known for its centralized news operations, and the subsequent agreement with the parent company of competitor WJAR (NBC10) led to an immediate consolidation of resources and staffing.

This type of operational change often results in the elimination of redundant positions, which is precisely what happened in September 2025. Veteran local journalists, including the popular Kelly Bates and Nick Coit, were deemed expendable in the new corporate structure. This decision sparked outrage among the local viewing public and even led to a call for a boycott by the NABET-CWA, Local 18, the union representing many of the workers who lost their jobs. The union highlighted that the cuts targeted long-serving, respected members of the news team.

• 7 Shocking Things Jessica Capshaw Revealed About Growing Up With Steven Spielberg As Her Stepfather 892ho

The situation is particularly unsettling for the Rhode Island community because it means a reduction in local news coverage and a loss of the unique perspective that long-time personalities bring. The consolidation of operations between ABC 6 and the WJAR parent company has raised concerns about the diversity of local reporting and the overall quality of journalism in the Providence market.

The Impact on Local News and the New Faces at ABC 6

The departure of high-profile anchors like Bates and Coit has left a noticeable void in the ABC 6 News RI lineup, forcing the station to quickly pivot and rebuild viewer trust. The immediate impact has been a significant shift in the on-air talent and the overall dynamic of the broadcasts. The station is now faced with the challenge of maintaining its market share against rivals like WPRI and WJAR with a significantly altered team.

One of the new faces brought in to help stabilize the team is meteorologist Christina Shalhoup, who has taken over evening weather duties. Her presence and rapport with the remaining anchors are seen as a positive step in the wake of the turmoil. Additionally, veteran anchor John DeLuca remains a prominent figure, having recently been honored with an induction into the Rhode Island Radio and TV Hall of Fame, a nod to the long-standing local talent that viewers still appreciate.

• The Untouchable Privacy 7 Secrets Of Rachel Mcadams And Jamie Lindens Life Beyond The Red Carpet E820e

However, the underlying issue of corporate ownership and its effect on local news autonomy remains a key concern. The "Great Exodus" of 2025 serves as a stark reminder of the financial pressures and corporate decisions that constantly reshape the landscape of local television in Southern New England. For viewers, the hope is that the station can move past the instability and continue to provide the comprehensive, local coverage that the community relies on.