Young meteorologist fired from TV station spotted with mentor, 60, after accusing bosses of monitoring their conversations

See more of our coverage in your search results. The young Indiana meteorologist who accused her Nexstar bosses of monitoring her conversations with her 60-year-old mentor has been spotted enjoying a boating trip with the veteran forecaster weeks after her firing sparked viewer outrage. Jimmy Walker, the station’s longtime chief meteorologist, posted photos to Facebook over the July Fourth weekend showing himself on a river excursion alongside recent college grad Alex Kerkhove — the latest public sign that the two have remained close since her departure from WTWO-TV in Terre Haute. “Thanks [to guide] Brendan Kearns for the river excursion Thursday evening,” Walker wrote on the morning of July 3. The social media post was first flagged by industry newsletter FTVLive. “Nobody knows the river better than Brendan and look who else was out on the river! Yep, Alex Kerkhove for her first river trip. Good times with good people.” The post comes less than a month after Walker delivered an unusually emotional public defense of Kerkhove following her exit from WTWO. “On Monday, June 8th, I saw something happen that I had only seen happen one other time in my 40 year career at WTWO,” Walker wrote in a June 9 Facebook post. Walker said Kerkhove “was let go well before her contract was up” and called her “one of the best meteorologist I’ve had the pleasure of working with.” He added that management’s decision “has made my decision for my future pretty clear now.” Walker also wrote that he had hoped to remain at WTWO because of his working relationship with Kerkhove. “I had actually talked Alex into staying around for a couple more years and I planned to stay put as well since I had such a great weather partner,” he wrote. Kerkhove, who has accused station management of monitoring her conversations with Walker, restricting her social media activity and pressuring her to resign before terminating her employment, previously described Walker as “my rock” throughout the ordeal. She alleged that managers told her she could speak with Walker for only 15 to 20 minutes while they were working because management was monitoring security cameras. The dispute has continued to draw attention within the local television industry. FTVLive reported that Walker recently launched a personal website, “Jesse Walker Weather,” prompting speculation among station insiders that the longtime chief meteorologist could be planning his departure. One source quoted by the industry newsletter said viewers “shouldn’t be surprised” if Walker retires within the next few months. The industry publication also noted that Walker’s latest social media posts with Kerkhove have fueled additional speculation about his future at the station. Walker has not publicly announced any plans to retire or leave WTWO. Nexstar did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for comment. Walker also did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

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