The Shocking Truth: 5 Major PIX11 News Anchor Departures And Firings That Rocked NYC Media

The New York City local news landscape has been defined by a significant shakeup at PIX11 (WPIX-TV) over the past year, leading many viewers to ask: "Were PIX11 news anchors fired?" The answer is complex, involving a mix of high-profile voluntary departures, alleged terminations, and an explosive lawsuit that casts a shadow over the station’s workplace culture. As of December 12, 2025, the most dramatic development centers on a former anchor's legal battle, while the exit of a long-time veteran continues to be a major talking point for the Tri-State Area's television audience. The reality is that PIX11, owned by Nexstar Media Group, has seen a considerable turnover in its on-air talent, a pattern that is not entirely uncommon in the competitive New York market. However, the nature of the recent changes—specifically the lawsuit and the sudden exit of a primetime fixture—has fueled intense speculation and curiosity about the inner workings of the CW affiliate. This article dives deep into the most significant and recent departures that have redefined the PIX11 news team.

The Anchors at the Center of the PIX11 Shakeup: Biography Profiles

The two most prominent figures in the recent PIX11 anchor changes are Tamsen Fadal and Ojinika Obiekwe. Their stories represent the two sides of the station's recent turbulence: a major, voluntary-yet-surprising exit and an alleged wrongful termination leading to a high-stakes lawsuit.

Tamsen Fadal: The Veteran Anchor's High-Profile Exit

• Full Name: Tamsen Fadal
• Role at PIX11: Evening News Anchor (most recently the 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. broadcasts).
• Tenure: Over 15 years (Joined WPIX in 2008).
• Date of Departure: November 10, 2023.
• Reason for Leaving: Fadal stated she was stepping away to focus on personal projects, including her podcast, "The Woo Woo Workouts," and to spend more time with family. Reports indicated she had previously requested to reduce her anchoring workload.
• Career Highlights: Multiple Emmy Award winner; author of several books; known for her work on women's health and wellness issues.

Ojinika Obiekwe: The Lawsuit and Alleged Firing

• Full Name: Ojinika Obiekwe
• Role at PIX11: Anchor and Reporter (often focused on lifestyle and community segments).
• Tenure: More than 20 years.
• Date of Firing: Allegedly terminated in late 2023/early 2024.
• Reason for Leaving: Obiekwe is suing Nexstar Media Group and PIX11, alleging she was wrongfully terminated after repeatedly speaking out against alleged racist practices and a hostile workplace environment.
• Career Highlights: Long-time fixture on PIX11, known for her vibrant on-air presence and community engagement. The lawsuit is a major development in her career and the station's history.

Tamsen Fadal's Departure: A Strategic Career Shift

Tamsen Fadal's final sign-off in November 2023 marked the end of an era for PIX11's evening programming. After more than 15 years, her familiar face was gone from the 4 p.m., 5 p.m., and 6 p.m. newscasts. While her departure was framed as a voluntary move to pursue personal passions and a better work-life balance, the suddenness of the announcement for the public still created a significant void in the station's lineup. Fadal, an Emmy Award-winning journalist, had been one of the most visible and reliable anchors in the New York market. Her decision to leave was reportedly rooted in a desire to cut back on the demanding schedule of a primetime news anchor, a request she had made to station management months prior. This strategic career shift highlights a growing trend among veteran journalists seeking to leverage their personal brand and expertise outside the traditional 24/7 news cycle grind. Her exit, while not a "firing," was a massive organizational change that necessitated a major reshuffling of the remaining PIX11 news team. The station has since worked to fill the gap, with other anchors stepping into the vacated time slots. The search for a long-term replacement for such a prominent figure is a challenge that reflects the difficulty of maintaining stability in a high-turnover industry.

The Ojinika Obiekwe Lawsuit: Claims of Racial Discrimination

The most direct answer to the question of whether a PIX11 news anchor was "fired" lies in the ongoing legal battle involving Ojinika Obiekwe. After more than two decades of service, Obiekwe's termination has led to a lawsuit against PIX11 and its parent company, Nexstar Media Group. The core of the lawsuit alleges that Obiekwe was terminated in retaliation for speaking out against what she described as racist practices and a toxic workplace environment. The legal filing claims that the station's environment was so hostile that it was compared to being treated like a "slave." These are extremely serious allegations that have put the station under intense scrutiny and have sparked conversations about diversity and equity within the local news industry. Obiekwe's legal team contends that her long tenure and contributions to the station were unjustly dismissed after she voiced her concerns. Lawsuits of this nature often take a long time to resolve, and the outcome will be closely watched by media professionals and viewers alike. The case has become a focal point for understanding the challenges faced by minority journalists in major markets. The station, for its part, has not publicly commented extensively on the pending litigation, which is standard procedure, but the allegations represent a major crisis in public relations and internal affairs.

A History of PIX11 News Team Changes and Turnover

The recent departures are not isolated incidents but rather part of a longer history of turnover at WPIX. The New York City news market is notoriously competitive, often leading to anchor changes driven by contract negotiations, ratings performance, or shifts in station strategy. For instance, past shakeups have involved veteran anchors like Kaity Tong and Jim Watkins, who were reportedly ousted from their 10 p.m. posts to make way for new talent like Jodi Applegate. Other names, such as Tiffany McElroy, Frances Rivera, and Marysol Castro, have also been cited as having been "let go" from the station over the years, often with vague public explanations for their exits. This pattern underscores a key reality of the television news business: longevity is rare, and management is constantly looking for ways to refresh the on-air product to boost ratings and appeal to new demographics. The current management, under Nexstar, continues this tradition, evidenced not only by the departures but also by the recent influx of new talent.

New Faces Joining the PIX11 Team

While some anchors have left, PIX11 has simultaneously brought in new personnel to fill the gaps and strengthen its reporting team. These new hires are part of the station's strategy to evolve its coverage:

• Angelo Bavaro: Joined PIX11 as a reporter, returning to TV after a stint in radio.
• New Meteorologist/Anchor: A former Connecticut news anchor and meteorologist was announced to be joining the PIX11 morning team.

These additions show that the station is actively reinvesting in its on-air staff, even as it navigates the controversies surrounding the prominent departures. The constant movement of talent—both in and out—is a defining characteristic of the NYC media ecosystem.

The Future of PIX11 News and Viewer Impact

The twin events of Tamsen Fadal’s voluntary departure and Ojinika Obiekwe’s alleged firing and subsequent lawsuit have created a period of instability and intense public interest in PIX11. For viewers, these changes can be disorienting, as the anchors they rely on for local news, including coverage of the Tri-State Area and New York City events, suddenly disappear. The outcome of the Ojinika Obiekwe lawsuit will be a defining moment for the station, potentially setting a precedent for how internal complaints of racial discrimination are handled in the industry. Meanwhile, Tamsen Fadal’s successful transition to independent projects serves as a blueprint for other veteran journalists looking to control their own narrative and career path. The PIX11 news team continues to evolve, demonstrating the dynamic and often brutal nature of local TV news. While not all departures were "firings," the overall shakeup confirms that major changes have indeed rocked the station, leaving viewers to wonder who will be next and what new controversies may emerge.