WXIX in Cincinnati has a bit of thing happening in its weather department.
Cincinnati media wrote John Kiesewetter said that the Fox affiliate has hired a new meteorologist, but still needs to figure out its staffing issue so a longtime favorite can finally retire.
In January, Ashley Smith left the station after seven years to become a public information officer at Hoxworth Blood Center and in February, Frank Marzullo resigned left abruptly after 18 years to “pursue other opportunities.”
The Fox affiliate just hired former WKRC meteorologist Brad Maushart as its weekday midday meteorologist. Maushart left local TV in 2023 to work for IBM’s The Weather Company.
“After a few years away from the daily buzz of live TV… Bad News Brad is BACK! I’ve officially joined the team at FOX19! I’ll be on-air starting tomorrow, and you can catch me weekdays at 10am, 11am, noon (online/Facebook/YouTube), 3pm, and 4pm,” Maushart wrote on social media. “Great to be home and I can’t wait to serve you!”
Meanwhile, Ethan Emery, who works part time at the station, has announced he will leave in May. Emery has a full-time job as a communications specialist for a local county.
Which leaves chief meteorologist Steve Horstmeyer, who announced his retirement in November. Horstmeyer was looking to leave in February, but offered to stick around off-air until the station hired a new chief meteorologist. He’s already pushed retirement back to May and now he’s sticking around until August.
“I wanted to retire two years ago, but the station wanted me to stay, so I did” — even after suffering a stroke while doing the 10 p.m. news four years ago, he said in November.
