Firing the big talent?

Rob Blair is let go by the new owners of stations KHSL and KNVN

Chico’s favorite weatherman, Rob Blair, confirmed that he was cut loose from his job at television stations KHSL and KNVN, where he co-hosted the Wake Up! morning show.

He was released by the stations’ new ownership, GOCOM Media of Northern California, which secured the stations’ licenses in February and had already fired longtime General Manager John Stall. Final sale of the stations went through last week, at which time Blair was let go. (Station management did not return the CN&R’s call for comment.)

CN&R readers picked Blair (pictured) as Best Local Personality year in and year out in the annual Best of Chico poll. He’s also the recipient of the Butte Humane Society’s “Humane-atarian of the Year” for 2012.

Community members have expressed shock at his dismissal. “People have been so sweet and so kind,” he said by phone on Monday (May 6). “This community has just been fantastic and wonderful to me.”