A Cheyenne news station canceled its news programs over the weekend after it was discovered one of its employees tested positive for the coronavirus.
KGWN TV posted the announcement to its Facebook page on Sunday afternoon, letting the audience know that changes might affect the broadcasts over the next couple weeks. The station’s news programs resumed Monday.
“We’ve had one of our staff test positive for Covid-19,” the post stated. “We have traced our exposure and asked the people who had close contact with that individual to quarantine.”
No word was given on when the individual tested positive for the virus.
The channel did not air either its 5:30 p.m. or 10 p.m. newscasts on Saturday or Sunday, but the statement said the station expected to resume its newscasts Monday.
KGWN news reporter Grace Foulk thanked viewers for being so understanding during this difficult time, but also asked for kindness and compassion from those who felt the news channel were “fearmongering.”
“There’s always going to be a comparison of our broadcasts to a comedy show,” Foulk wrote in her own post. “I am committed to accurately and responsible reporting to the best of my abilities. I’m thankful for the team we have working to figure things out over the next few weeks…”
KGWN News Director Jim Beck told Cowboy State Daily that the news broadcast resumed early Monday morning and while it was an “all hands on deck” situation, he was pleased with how good the show looked.
While he couldn’t say how many employees from the station have been quarantined, he did say that some employees from sister station KCWY in Casper would step in to help with reporting and that the weather would be reported from a separate location.
As of Monday morning. Laramie County has 158 lab-confirmed cases of the coronavirus and 92 probable cases.
