Cyndi Loza

Television station KREN closed its news division Tuesday, citing low advertising revenues, officials said.

Pappas Telecasting Companies on Tuesday morning canceled the news division of Reno stations KREN Channel 27, an affiliate of The CW, and KAZR Channel 46, a Tu Visión affiliate, said Steve Alfieris, vice president-special counsel of Pappas Telecasting.

“These stations didn’t see the right advertising revenues to justify the expense,” Alfieris said.

KREN had a 10 p.m. newscast, while KAZR produced news in Spanish at 6 p.m.

“It’s important to be clear that this is not a performance-related issue with the KREN and KAZR staffs,” said Dennis Davis, president and chief operating officer of Pappas Telecasting, in a news release. “The videojournalists, producers, anchors and news managers have given their best efforts to produce a product that we can all be proud of.”

The stations at Meadowood Mall produced their last news broadcasts on Monday.

About 2,000 Reno-area households watch KREN Monday through Sunday, said Howard Shrier, chief operating officer/TV Stations Group for the telecasting company.

No ratings for KAZR were available.

“We are very sad about the decision that Pappas Telecasting took,” said Pablo Gutierrez, the executive producer and news anchor for KAZR. “We feel it not only affects the lives of the journalists, but it also affects our community.”

Jessie Gutierrez, director of Nevada Hispanic Services, said KAZR was popular in the Hispanic community because it gave them an alternative voice.

“What are they thinking?” Gutierrez said. “This is a growing Hispanic community, the news they provide at 6 p.m. is essential to let the Hispanic community know what’s going on.”

Gutierrez said the Spanish-langauge station will lose its Hispanic viewership without the news division.

“They’re not taking in the needs of the Hispanic community, and they’re suppose to be the Hispanic station,” Gutierrez said.

Some of the 19 employees who lost their jobs are exploring legal action, Gutierrez said.

“Today or tomorrow Pappas Telecasting can sell KREN and KAZR and make millions and live happily ever after, but their employees are only getting a week’s severance pay,” Gutierrez said. “I feel it’s unjust.”

Alfieris would not comment on personnel matters.