KCCI chief meteorologist Chris Gloninger departing station citing PTSD, past death threat
KCCI's chief meteorologist Chris Gloninger is departing the station due in part to past threats he said stemmed from his coverage of climate change.
Gloninger announced the news on Twitter in a statement Wednesday and said he will soon be saying goodbye to the local CBS station. On the 6 p.m. newscast, Gloninger said his last day is July 7.
"18 years. 7 stations. 5 states. I am bidding farewell to TV to embark on a new journey dedicated to helping solve the climate crisis," Gloninger said in the statement. "After a death threat stemming from my climate coverage last year and resulting PTSD, in addition to family health issues, I've decided to begin this journey now."
On July 16, 2022, Gloninger wrote on Twitter, "My climate coverage has garnered negative feedback. But last month I received the first threat, followed by a flow of harassing emails. Police are investigating. It's mentally exhausting and at times I have NOT been ok. If you're facing this and need someone to talk to, I'm here."
More: Climate change warning signs started in the 1800s. Here's what humanity knew and when.
In September 2022, a Lenox man was fined $105 for harassing the meteorologist in a series of emails. The emails lasted for several weeks and included threatening language and swear words.
“You are worthless Biden puppet, a liar, a conspiracy theorist, and an idiot!!! You give Iowa a bad name, GO HOME B—-," one email read, according to court documents.
Gloninger is set to leave the station nearly two years to the exact day after he joined the local ratings leader to replace chief meteorologist Kurtis Gertz. He first joined the station on July 6, 2021.
“It’s hard to say goodbye but now is the time to do that Stacey and that will happen in two weeks on July 7,” Gloninger said on air as he sat alongside KCCI nightly news lead anchor Stacey Horst. “We moved to Iowa, we bought our forever home in West Des Moines, and my wife and I quickly realized and learned that life throws obstacles your way when you're least expecting it.”
In his on-air message, Gloninger addressed the startling events that led to his upcoming departure.
“I did receive a threat last summer that left us a little bit shaken and I've been working through the healing process. But during that time, both of our families had unexpected serious health issues,” he said. “Family is important.”
Related: What to know about KCCI meteorologist Chris Gloninger's exit after 'death threat,' PTSD
He said that leaving television is an opportunity to focus full-time on climate change, a personal passion.
“Stepping away from TV will allow my wife and I to help them in their time of need, and will also allow me to make a difference full time in something that I'm very passionate about in the realm of climate change and finding solutions, being able to adapt and mitigate to this issue that we have globally,” he said.
In his statement Wednesday, Gloninger thanked his friends and colleagues and the CBS station for being "so understanding." He added that he will devote his "full-time efforts to finding sustainable solutions and fostering positive change."
Gloninger graduated from Plymouth State University in New Hampshire and has worked at stations in Rochester, New York, Milwaukee and Boston.
A representative with KCCI did not immediately return a request for comment.
Jay Stahl is an entertainment reporter at The Des Moines Register. Follow him on Instagram or reach out at jstahl@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Des Moines meteorologist leaving KCCI after death threat, PTSD
