Last week, TVSpy told you that longtime KUSA meteorologist Becky Ditchfield was leaving the station after 13 years. Now, Ditchfield is revealing why.
“This past year I’ve spent a lot of time reflecting on my career—where it’s been, where it’s heading and where I want it to go,” Ditchfield told the local blog, Westword. “I’ve learned a lot about myself in the last thirteen years. I’ve grown professionally and personally. … Leaving a steady job and income is scary, but I was feeling stuck, and my gut was telling me that this was what I needed to do.”
It was Ditchfield’s choice to leave, 9News president and CEO Mark Cornetta confirmed. The search for a new meteorologist is underway at KUSA.
“Becky has decided to leave 9NEWS after almost fourteen years,” Cornetta told Westword. “She has done an outstanding job for us, and while we would have loved to continue our relationship with her, for personal reasons Becky has decided to leave. Her professionalism, knowledge of the science and her positive disposition will be missed. We wish Becky and her family nothing but the best.”
The same day Ditchfield signed off, so did KWGN morning anchor Natalie Tysdal (pictured). Her reason for heading out the door? She’s starting her own independent network, with a weekly podcast and an interview-format show on YouTube.
“My decision to leave the morning show is based on many things: a desire to have flexibility, the type of news I want to cover, and the digital opportunity that I see right in front of me,” Tysdal explained to Westword.
Part of her decision to leave was also driven by the effects of Covid-19 on her life and her relationship with her kids.
“Like many, I found that being a mom during the pandemic was very difficult,” she said. “With a daughter in college, one in high school and a fifth-grade son, all in different schools, I had a house full of remote learners and a remote TV studio in my closet. I was an anchor, reporter, TV engineer, mom, chef, teacher and more.”