Veteran meteorologist who had creepy relationship with much younger colleague is abruptly fired

A veteran Indiana meteorologist was abruptly shown the door by his Nexstar-owned TV station after more than 40 years in the job — months after insiders described his close relationship with a much younger colleague as “creepy.”Jesse Walker had already announced plans to leave Terre Haute-based WTWO on Oct.2 and launch his own weather company with former station meteorologist Alex Kerkhove, according to industry newsletter FTVLive.But the station accelerated Walker’s exit, telling the longtime chief meteorologist that he had already worked his final day and denying him the opportunity to deliver an on-air farewell, FTVLive reported.“Today they walked you out the door and didn’t let you say goodbye,” Kerkhove wrote in a social media post supporting her mentor.She began the Facebook post by writing: “Jesse Walker! I am sorry that the station treated someone that has dedicated his entire career to serving a community like they did.”She praised Walker for decades of school visits, severe-weather coverage and community events, and credited him with teaching her to “just be yourself.”“I’m forever grateful for your mentorship and support as a meteorologist and also as a friend,” Kerkhove wrote.“You’ll always be my ‘station dad’ — someone who always looked out for me.”She closed with another shot at the station.“Sorry leaving wasn’t on your terms, but your legacy as the chief meteorologist is something they can never take away.”The abrupt ouster marks the latest twist in months of turmoil surrounding Walker and Kerkhove, whose unusually close relationship became a source of friction inside WTWO, according to FTVLive.Kerkhove, a rookie meteorologist who joined the station after college, left the station earlier this year after roughly a year on the job.

She said she was fired, while Nexstar has maintained that it did not fire her.After her departure, anonymous station insiders told FTVLive that Walker had taken a “deep interest...