Moreover, Haener has become so wary and unglued over her social media status, she's asked KTVU management about limiting her posts and/or outright ceasing any form of contact with the public.
The situation reached a critical mass last week when Haener was observed huddling in the newsroom--in front of staff--with a fellow anchor talking about her situation and showing obvious signs of emotional havoc and personal despair. A newsroom source told me it's the most troubled they'd ever seen Haener and they'd worked at KTVU for over two decades.
"We all knew she's been taking a lot of vacation time but we also knew she's been away from work dealing with all this change and it's hurting her," said the source.
Of course, KTVU and Fox execs have tried to muzzle the matter but Haener's extended absence has made that entirely impossible --since this issue has been reported on here at 415 Media, Haener has been working nonstop since last week but her personal crisis continues and it's a source of widespread concern both inside KTVU and from viewers alike.
Beyond just missing two of her longtime co-workers, (Somerville and Ibanez) Haener is said to be privately uninspired by newbie 10 o'Clock anchor, Mike Mibach (who migrated from the morning) and Haener, a source tells me, barely speaks to him off camera, and it shows. In fact, Mibach's presence at 10 has coincided with KTVU's cratering --a dire straits of a matter that in addition to Haener's well-being has KTVU and its Fox parents extremely worried.
Haener's present drama doesn't help matters and is perceived in the newsroom as further KTVU mayhem.
If Haener (and KTVU itself) continue their downfall/peril, then The Firm finds itself in a situation that could impact its Bay Area O and O for not just the immediate future but several years to come.
If she is not happy, retire. Blame Frank for ruining KTVU for his bad behavior. Alex Savage was on last night. Sick of seeing Jana, the big Asian reporter doing political reports, some young guy on weekends.
ReplyDeleteAmen on Jana. I know Andre threw his lunch at her once. Nasty lady.
DeleteHope she finds peace
ReplyDeleteanchors doing the whole light and fluffy social thing just seems strange for hard news broadcasters. sure if you host the morning show go ahead. but The 10 O'Clock News...do you think Dennis would be sharing his personal life on social?
This isn't just a KTVU thing it's the whole industry.
Yeah. That’s my take on Betty Yu. Her Instagram posts make her more of a fashionista than news reporter that wants to be taken seriously.
DeleteJeez. Take the leave already, Julie! Get some help. Or retire. Choices are clear. Life at the news desk will go on with or without you. Call me tough love. And yes, Mike Mibach does suck. Sorry not sorry. Haven’t watched regularly since Frank left. KRON 4 is an appealing low key alternative for those of us who can pick it up. Even Pam Moore is holding it together better with her rumored retirement. Take a lesson, Julie.
ReplyDeleteShe sits there and reads copy that other people write and research. All she has to do is look pretty. And she's paid six figures for it, and gets to take a third of the year off. Give anyone else that job if Julie doesn't want it.
Delete> Haener is said to be privately uninspired
Delete> by newbie 10 o'Clock anchor, Mike Mibach...
I've never worked with Mibach but I worked with Julie when she was the new anchor. Let me tell you, she was then where from what I'm reading Mibach is now. So maybe she should cut him some slack. She was hardly Carl Woodward when she got the chair, and she probably still isn't. She seems to have an outsized opinion of herself. Remember that dreadful movie that came out about 15 years ago called Robot and Frank? I thought they made a movie about Julie.
Imagine the look on the HR person's face when Julie tells them she's requesting a leave because social media is stressing her out.
DeleteIt's Rendon time. But if she's smart, she'd fly the coop and go find another gig out of this market. The downfall of this station is unfathomable. We'll never see a story like this in the Chronicle as their reporters only get their news from trolling social media and getting phone calls and emails from UCSF Medical Center about COVID-19 and monkeypox. Then again, the newspapers would hijack Liberman's story and give themselves credit. Rubes.
ReplyDeleteYes! Can you please FOR THE LOVE OF GOD... stop putting Dr. Peter Chin Hong or Dr. Ghandi on for the thousandth time? We get it! You're not important and no cares what you have to say. Go back to UCSF and stay off of our TVs.
DeletePeter Chin-Hong is afraid of his own shadow!
DeleteI just want to say to Julie, "Get over it"! If you are not happy, then RETIRE. I mean, what is keeping you there? This is really, honestly ridiculous.
ReplyDeleteCrazy in the head crazy in the bed.
DeleteRich Lieberman should be hired with his cheap suit and salty lanquage that would be a ratings winner for a week ot two.
ReplyDeleteHi Julie! Hope you’re able to get help and find peace. We’re rootin’ for ya!
DeleteIf KTVU really wanted to flip the situation, they'd hire Dion Lim away from KGO7 amd pair her up with Rendon as a dual female anchor team.
ReplyDeleteEach has a degree of warmth and direct connection. A sense of being real.
Something Mibach will never achieve. Go back to AM...since I wake up late.
Did you ever figure out that you can't just hire anybody you want? Maybe Dion doesn't want to work at KTVU (who would?). Maybe she's under contract for X more years. Maybe a lot of things. You really think you just snap your fingers and things happen? You've clearly never run anything.
DeleteGoodness gracious. Why is she still employed there? It’s obvious she’s miserable. It’s obvious she has mental health issues. It’s obvious she has money. She needs to do herself a favor and quit already. Her putting her issues on public display is odd and it further degrades an already flailing ‘news’ operation.
ReplyDeleteJulie. Suck it up! Life is hard, then you die. Being the architect of your own misery, means you can only blame the person in the mirror for your situation.
ReplyDelete‘Unglued ovet her social media status’ What does that even mean? Do her bosses force her to post personal photos in luxury hotels or wearing next to nothing poolside? Is someone forcing her to publish details of her personal life for the world to see. She’s choosing to post these photos, and she could choose to stop.
ReplyDeleteAnd as far as her becoming unglued about public contact. Wow. Sorry that the very people who watch the news and look at what you choose to post on your social media are such a burden to you.
Kristen Sze has been MIA for almost a month now. Any reason why??
ReplyDeleteKnives don't sharpen themselves.
DeleteHopefully she is looking to leave town. It's been nice not to see her on air.
DeleteKristen Sze is a beyotch & unhappy person. She has "quietly" taken an LOA for the time being as she re-evaluates her life and decides what to do next. Don't let the door hit you on the ass on your way out.
DeleteJulie "did" Mark, not sure what's doing somebody or doing him. I vote doing him, Have an affair with a real man
ReplyDeleteThis is what happens when people who get paid to read the news and report stories make it all about them and their lifestyle. Yes, I know many do it, but there many who don't. Julie gets paid to read a script. She's supposed to tell the story, not be the story. She's mixed her professional life with her personal life and she seems to be caught up in the web she's woven. She got herself into this mess and only she can get herself out of it. Blaming the public or taking a leave won't fix the problem. She needs to take stock and fix the problem.
ReplyDeleteIt also sounds like she has other mental health issues going on. As someone who has dealt with depression while trying to work, I can attest to the fact that it's not easy, no matter how much money you have. She really should strongly consider retirement, but if she genuinely feels that news is still her calling, then she'll need to take a formal leave. Perpetuating this clown show is a selfish distraction.
Well-said, all of it.
DeleteIf someone sees her signing up for driving lessons at the Sommerville-Heche Driving Academy, someone, please please call the authorities!
ReplyDeleteLOL!!!
Delete@11:28
ReplyDelete"KRON 4 is an appealing low key alternative for those..."
Yes, "for those" who enjoy sensationalism. Death, illness and crime are always the blaring KRON headlines. Really cheapens the product.
How is KTVU any different? All their stories are either softball interviews about "woke" shit or crime and grime committed by people who are on the streets instead of in jail because of all the woke people running SF, Oakland, Berkeley and the like.
DeleteAnchors read the news. Without editorial comment. Anything beyond that, I don't care.
ReplyDeleteMaybe it’s time to retire. I wish her good luck and happiness.
ReplyDeleteSounds like someone who has had everything handed to her on a silver platter and has no clue how to deal with even the slightest bit of adversity. Girl, get a grip!
ReplyDeleteFirst piece of advice: dial back the living-large IG posts. All that high-end travel reminds folks how much anchors are over-paid, and how much time-off she gets vs. average folks. Second piece of advice: if you really care about your job, do a little community work to show you care about the people to whom you read the news.
ReplyDeleteMaybe if someone is having issues don’t write a blog where you only approve of inappropriate comments like telling her to retire or have an affair. You ask for grace but give none to others.
ReplyDeleteHow about showing some compassion Bay Area for someone who is depressed…Do we know why she’s depressed? No, we don’t. Let her take a LOA and figure out a path back to healthy times. She’s like all the rest of us: uncertain, unhappy, slightly unhinged. We all struggle, and to those who say they don’t struggle, I am happy for you - you lucky dogs. Please stop kicking a person while they’re down - we all need a helping hand some times
ReplyDeleteUnhappy? Unhinged? Speak for yourself!
DeleteWhat is wrong with people? Cyber bully under "anonymous" much?
DeleteNot to be disrespectful of anyone, but I shall ask what I've asked before: does the television news-anchoring business make neurotic, narcissistic egomaniacs out of people? or do those already inclined that way tend to be the ones who enter -- and succeed in -- the profession?
ReplyDeleteI've worked in the biz and my experience is both, but mostly the latter. Certain people are attracted to the profession. They can be a pill.
DeleteI've always wondered the same about lawyers.
DeleteAnonymous 10:13, that makes a lot of sense. A 12:07, good point.
DeleteGoodness gracious, sounds like she's going batshit crazy over there. Clearly she's mentally unwell though I find it hard to believe that her life is spiraling out of control simply because Mark and Frank left. There's gotta be more to this story, especially now that we know she's considering a leave and wants no contact with the public.
ReplyDeleteMost employers have employee assistance programs that offer mental health and crisis counseling. Hope she takes advantage of that as untreated mental illness is no laughing matter. If she let's her life continue to spiral, she could be the next elaine corral....or leslie griffith....or veronica de la cruz...or (insert your local female of choice who went from hero to zero and ultimately left under bizarre circumstances)
It's time for ktvu to swallow their pride and cut their losses. The Mibach-Haener era has been nothing short of a disaster. Both need to go...yesterday. Immediately promote Alex S. and Cristina Rendon to the prime time slot.
ReplyDeleteMibach should be shipped back to the 4 or 7 (since he's at the station during that time anyway). And as far as Haener, the station should immediately issue a notice of intent to terminate. I'm sure she's violated at least one policy between her erratic schedule and odd behavior, so showing her the door shouldn't be a problem. Being fired may be the best thing to happen to her as it may free up her mind to focus on getting mental health services.
True @4:39, the very people who provide exceptional service to her at Nordstrom (am I allowed to mention the business?) refer to her as a “bitch”, and that says a lot about Julie Haener. The only news people that I can honestly say treat salespeople with respect that shop at the Walnut Creek Nordstrom are Christina Rendon, Cheryl Hurd, Steve Paulson, Joe Fonzi, Mark Ibanez, Jodi Hernandez, Dan Ashley and Alex Savidge.
ReplyDelete8:30pm: I read this blog because my wife used to work for ktvu. What you and 4:39pm wrote sounds very familiar. The recurring theme was Julie freaking out over every little thing and expecting everyone to be at her beck and call because she's Queen Julie. If things didn't go her way she'd be dramatic and make everyone around her miserable until she finally got what she wanted. No regard for other peoples time and no genuine appreciation for everything her colleagues would do for her. In Julie's world, people exist on this planet to serve her. She's up here, and you're down there.
DeleteMy lasting memory of her is at a KTVU event that spouses were invited to. Everyone from ktvu was mingling and making a point to talk to all their colleagues and especially the spouses. All of the on air talent I met were so nice and engaging. The energy was great.
And then there was Julie, walking around ignoring 90%+ of the rank and file employees and their spouses. You would've thought we were invisible. The people she did talk to appeared to go out of their way to initiate conversation with her but otherwise she made no effort to talk to anyone aside from anchors and a few people who I was told her part of ktvu management.
She needs to prioritize her mental health and take the time off. I'm sure her colleagues won't miss her.
I didn't know so many KTVU people shopped at the WC Nordstrom.
DeleteNews people shop at the WC Nordstrom for the same reason most other people shop there, it has nice restrooms.
DeleteWouldn’t it be Julie’s decision whether to post on social media? And how often to post?
ReplyDeleteOr is it the policy of KTVU (and perhaps other stations as well) to require on-air talent to be visible on social media?
I didn’t realize she’s such an attention-seeking prima donna. So dramatic!
ReplyDeleteJulie, collect your last paycheck, hightail it out of there and don’t look back!
I do not say this to be mean, flippant or a jerk. If Julie has serious mental health & depression, she should take a LOA & the station/colleagues have a responsibility to try & get her help. Mark Ibanez! If you're out of there... Can you try to help? I don't think any of want to wake up and hear Gasia telling us about the sudden and tragic death of a colleague who took her own life one day on Mornings on 2! Thoughts & prayers for Julie
ReplyDeleteI'm sure Heather is supporting her. Julie, you should just walk away so I can take your spot which I should have had years ago.
DeleteRich do you know if she started her leave of absence? She wasn’t on the news today. Whatever she’s dealing with must be serious if it requires a formal leave.
ReplyDeleteWe have become a country of weaklings. Everyone is either a victim, oppressed or just overwhelmed with everyday life. It's disgusting!
ReplyDeleteYup. I've been thinking of writing a book called "Nation of Ninnies: How We Went from Winners to Whiners."
DeleteIn her case it’s white privilege, plain and simple. sounds like someone who has never had a worry in the world and is used to others taking care of things for her.
DeleteThere was a time when Julie’s departure from ktvu would’ve been cataclysmic and a devastating blow to ktvu. Those days are long gone. Sadly, she’s rendered herself irrelevant with her sporadic schedule and strange behavior. Let’s hope she retires before she completely decimates whatever shred of good will she has left.
ReplyDeleteRich, thanks for this update. Looks like Julie hasn’t updated her Facebook in a while but I’m thinking she’ll be issuing a statement soon about her situation.
ReplyDeleteA lot of us in the Bay Area are struggling to make ends meet, worry about our crime infested communities, etc., and she's distraught about her "social media status"?? Nope, no sympathy, can't do it
ReplyDeleteJH is the Queen bee.
ReplyDeleteIf the social media morons are making you miserable, then either learn to deal with it or stay off social media.
ReplyDelete1000000% agree with @8:21am. I wondered if maybe she's contractually obligated to post on social media but when you look at her social media there is nothing even remotely news related. And since she's not posting anything related to her job, I find it hard to believe that ktvu could require her to post stuff about her personal life and extravagent lifestyle.
DeleteI have sympathy for anyone experiencing mental health issues, but the social media aspect of this is something entirely within her control. Unless perhaps she has an addiction to it and turning it off is going to cause her to further spiral.
@8:21am How about cutting the cable cord, turning the news off... period! Also people are so unhappy and like to show off their "fake, happy lives" on social media. STOP USING INSTAGRAM, TIK TOK, TWITTER, FACEBOOK, SNAP CHAT! You're mental health will thank you. Most of us understand your like is not perfect and great. The real Fake "every day person" News.
DeleteMove Heather to 10 pm. She moves the needle.
ReplyDeleteIt's funny how Heather and Roberta were (and in many cases still are) the laughingstock of KTVU for a variety of reasons. Yet, they are two of the most reliable and hardest-working people who will fill in when these other slackers don't feel like working. Roberta hasn't even been there that long yet if she had a dollar for each time she's filled in for Bill she's be cruising around on a yacht somewhere.
DeleteAnd as for Heather, she's played second fiddle to Julie long enough. It's clear Julie doesn't want her job anymore so give it to Heather and see how she does when the job is permanently hers, rather than having lightweights like Jana Katsuyama and LaMonica Peters constantly fill in on the anchor desk.
Someone a few months said that it should be Heather and Julie together during 10 PM. I think that would be perfect.
Delete12:52 You nailed about RG. She may not be your cup of tea, but in all the years I've known her--going back to her KNTV days--she has always been a hard worker. I've never known her to "mail it in." When she was at 11 she did so many appearances on behalf of the station. She never turned down an invitation. When she was at an event, she honored every autograph/photo request. She was gold.
DeleteJulie, you're your own worst enemy in this case. uninstall your social apps. take a leave of absence. take yet another vacation.
ReplyDeletedo better.
They don't have a choice about their social apps. They have to do that crap because their employers demand it. The phoniness is all part of "keeping it real" and "honesty."
DeleteOh, I weep for the hot, sexy, blonde MILF, with a cushy, very well-paying job who frolics in her palatial mansion, posting scantily clad pics on her socials all the while cheering on her stud QB son at his college football games. Oh, poor her.
ReplyDeleteGet a grip, Jules!
Mi + JH = sexual activity?
ReplyDeleteRumor around Jack London Square is "allegedly" JH & MI (Mr. Forced Retirement) had or still are having a long time affair. She does kind of look like Lesley Griffith with short hair btw. Leslie... err! Julie's husband found out and wants a divorce. She lost her perfect life, financial security and "look how great I am" facade shown on social media. Play stupid games....
DeleteHer husband was at the recent retirement party - would be too much of a coincidence for it to unravel there that quickly
DeleteI left the comment earlier today about the ktvu event I attended. Even though my wife was a run of the mill rank and file employee, she told me back then about the rumors that Mark and Julie were more than friends. Obviously no one ever saw them ‘together’ but there were so many dead giveaways over an extended period of time, including that at least one of them stored the other person in their phone as a different name that wouldn’t attract attention if their spouse saw it.
DeleteThere was another widely known incident where one of them got quite jealous when the other appeared to be flirting with a different colleague.
I don’t know if Julie and her husband are still together but based on all I heard at the time i’d be surprised if they are. You can only hide stuff like that for so long, no matter how good you think you are at it.
Remember kids, affairs are fun … until they aren’t.
@7:41pm Ever heard of saving face? Wouldn't it have raised more eyebrows if he didn't attend? Kind of a cuck move on his part to attend the guy's retirement party who may or may not have been bangin' his wife. But who knows... Some people are into that kinda stuff. Freaky! Again... Allegedly
DeleteImagine having a life so easy that your biggest worries are missing a co-worker and your social media, on which you only post photos of the luxurious lifestyle you pretend to live.
ReplyDeleteAs the Soup Nazi would say, “NO PITY FOR YOU!”
Heather worked for her yesterday. Any update on Julie's situation? Sounds like it's evolving/devolving quickly.
ReplyDeleteWhenever we see Julie she's smiling on TV looking all glamorous. Her social media suggests the perfect life with abundant wealth and the perfect family. But let's remember that we don't know what's going on beneath the smile and the loads and loads of money. Rich's outstanding reporting suggests someone who is in deep turmoil and mentally unstable, perhaps incredibly so. She certainly doesn't sound like the most likable person, but she's still a human who appears to be crying out for help. It's unfortunate that she views the public negatively because if she would step and be rationale she might realize that she has a lot of people who are still on her side.
ReplyDeleteWell what do you know? Julie skipped out on work again tonight. Who would’ve guessed it.
ReplyDeleteRich I hope the next article you write about her has the headline “Julie Haener fired from KTVU.”
Hi Rich. Great job breaking this story. Some may hate on you but there’s no doubt you’re able to get some amazing scoops and gather information that no one else has access to.
ReplyDeleteJulie is a relic from the past. She's from the era where local broadcast news ruled the airwaves and the local news anchor was akin to an overpaid deity, or at least a local celebrity. She rose to prominence before phones and social media became our primary source for information; before 24/7 cable news dominated the airwaves; and before the demise of local broadcast news.
ReplyDeletePeople no longer expect their news anchor to be a rich white man or woman pontificating and talking down to them. There's a lot to be said for having someone who viewers can connect with., and who can connect with viewers. Someone with empathy, interest in the news they report, and who feels like they are a part of the community. Julie is none of these. The market and demographics have changed, while she has not.
There may be a nexus with Rich's reporting about Julie's breakdown over her social media. Her social media is entirely about her ostentatious and glamorous lifestyle. Some may be intrigued by this but for the most part it emphasizes how disconnected and out of touch she really is.
I wish Julie well in the next chapter of her life, and hope that she's able to find love again, whether it be with Mark Ibanez or someone else.
Rich, ktvu employee here. just giving you an early heads-up. Julie called in sick again today.
ReplyDeleteHope her son has a good year with the bulldogs and get a tryout with the 49ers someday
ReplyDeleteJulie Haener’s son is so disrespectful to his mom and to service people. He’s so rude, just like his mother. He doesn’t deserve to be associated with any pro football teams. Why would @5:16 even suggest this this unless it’s a comment from Julie or her son!
ReplyDeleteI was there for part of the conversation last Thursday night. She was stressed out and frazzled, totally worked up. We all assumed she was going to a leave so we were surprised she was back at work on Sunday night. No one really knows what’s going on with her but she’s been even more distant and more cold than usual. She’s always on the phone texting and leaves the first chance she gets.
ReplyDeleteWhy doesn't she just quit? I'm sure she has money. Her health is more important then her job. It is insane how much news broadcasters make for just sitting on their asses and reading a prompter. Stay home and get well. We don't want to see another Anne Hedge on the road.
ReplyDeleteI stopped following Julie Haener on FB. Got tired of the "I'm blonde, beautiful, rich, and have the perfect life" posts. Never posts about community or volunteering. Also, while beautiful and still has an amazing body, I would respect her more if her poses weren't so desperately showing her still trying to be 25. It's sad, because I remember her as reporter and she was fantastic! But, now is focused on being shiny amd pretty than offering any semblance of substance. They are not mutually exclusive.
ReplyDelete