The CBS affiliate in Monterey, California, KION, owned by the News-Press & Gazette Company, has ceased its local news operations. Employees arriving for work on September 24, 2025, were informed of the decision, according to sources and social media posts. The exact number of job losses remains unclear.
KION's owner also owns KMUV, the market's Telemundo affiliate. Instead of producing its own newscasts, KION will now air content from the San Francisco-based CBS-owned station KPIX. Simultaneously, KMUV will discontinue the Spanish-language newscasts previously produced by KION. CBS Stations announced a commitment to expanding coverage of the Central California region, including Monterey.
Monterey's smaller market size resulted in shared ABC and NBC affiliations with Hearst Television’s KSBW, which also produces local news. KION's decision leaves Hearst as the only remaining local newsroom producing English-language local television news. Entravision Communications’ KSMS continues to provide local Spanish-language news.
The reasoning behind News-Press & Gazette Company’s decision to end local news production remains undisclosed. This action occurs amidst challenges faced by many local stations, especially in smaller markets, struggling with declining viewership, advertising revenue, and a fragmented media landscape in the current economic climate. NPG did not offer comment on its decision.