Meteorologist quits after climate-change reporting 'garners negative feedback' including threats; says he has PTSD

Chris Gloninger is leaving KCCI.
(KCCI photo via Des Moines Register)

An Iowa TV station's chief meteorologist is leaving after being harassed for "due in part to past threats he said stemmed from his coverage of climate change," reports Jay Stahl of the Des Moines Register. Chris Gloninger of KCCI in Des Moines "announced the news on Twitter . . . 'Eighteen years. Seven stations. Five states. I am bidding farewell to TV to embark on a new journey dedicated to helping solve the climate crisis. . . . After a death threat stemming from my climate coverage last year and resulting post-traumatic stress disorder. . . . I've decided to begin this journey now.'"

In 2022, Gloninger chronicled threats made against him and the mental strain they caused. He tweeted, "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." Stahl reports, "In September 2022, "a 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 a worthless Biden puppet, a liar, a conspiracy theorist, and an idiot!!! You give Iowa a bad name,' one email read, according to court documents."

Gloniger made his goodbyes on the air, as quoted by Stahl: "'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. . . .  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. . . . 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."