News 12 New Jersey recently let several employees go, including Meteorologist James Gregorio, who has been with the station since it launched. Gregorio was one of the most recognizable faces on News 12, greeting viewers early every morning with live weather reports.
Veteran Reporter, John Bathke was also let go. He spent the better part of two decades reporting New Jersey news. Bathke, an Emmy Award winner, was also the station’s arts reporter. You would often see him covering stories about local performances Broadway, and local art shows. News Anchor and Reporter Rick Holmes was another recognizable face who was also let go. Holmes started as the Newark bureau reporter and eventually started anchoring evening programs for News 12 New Jersey and Connecticut. Additionally, the station has seen the departure of a cameraman, a satellite truck operator, a news producer, and an assignment desk editor.
The layoffs come after a tumultuous year working in what many employees described as a toxic work environment under the leadership of Jacques Natz, Assistant General Manager, who was let go in August of last year. Undisclosed sources revealed that under Natz’ leadership, things had changed significantly, and not for the better. It was said that there was harsh scrutiny of work, and drastic position and responsibility changes, leading a handful of managers to all resign at the same time.
