2024-09-03 08:20:02
CLEVELAND, Ohio — Meteorologist Hollie Strano said on Facebook Monday that she has been let go by WKYC Channel 3, several months after returning to work following an arrest for drunken driving.
Strano in her Facebook post Monday morning said that WKYC and Tegna, WKYC’s parent company, decided to terminate her employment after 22 years. She said this happened after she shared her recovery journey publicly.
“I believe the actions of WKYC and Tegna demonstrate the stigma surrounding addiction that so many in our community experience every day,” Strano said.
Cleveland.com has reached out to WKYC for comment.
On Thanksgiving night, Strano crashed her vehicle into a utility pole in Cuyahoga Falls, and was arrested with a blood-alcohol level three times the legal limit. She subsequently pleaded guilty to operating a vehicle under the influence and was sentenced to a six-day, driver-intervention program instead of jail and fined $375 plus court costs.
On Jan. 23, Strano took to social media to say she was “deeply remorseful” for the events of that night.
“As tragic as it was and as cliche as it may sound, I believe that had to happen to me to put me on this healing journey of sobriety and introspection,” she wrote.
She was off-air until February, when she returned to WKYC. But instead of her usual slot on the TV station’s morning show, she started to appear on Saturday and Sunday morning newscasts, and on Monday and Tuesday evenings.
Strano said on Facebook Monday that she has been “honest and authentic” about her sobriety journey and that she will continue to do so.
“I’m continuing to prioritize my sobriety and health, and I am also so grateful for the outpouring of love and support from so many of you throughout this journey,” Strano said.
Sean McDonnell is the business reporter for cleveland.com and the Plain Dealer. You can reach him at [email protected].
