Alaska reporter quits on air after reporting on her own marijuana club

Who says local TV news is boring and predictable?

On Sunday night, Charlo Greene, a reporter for CBS affiliate KTVA in Anchorage, Alaska, gave the ultimate sign off after reporting on efforts to legalize marijuana and regulate it like alcohol in the state.

The story involved the debate over Alaska’s Ballot Measure 2 and touched on the medical marijuana business the Alaska Cannabis Club. At the end of the report, Greene revealed herself to be the owner.

“Everything you heard is why I, the actual owner of the Alaska Cannabis Club, will be dedicating all of my energy to fighting for freedom and fairness, which begins with legalizing marijuana here in Alaska,” Greene said.

But that wasn’t the real shocker. She saved the best for last.

“And as for this job... well, not like I have a choice, but,” then she dropped an expletive on the audience and concluded with, “I quit.”

Who wants to wager that bit will end up on the station’s blooper reel at the Christmas party this year?

Weekend anchor Alexis Fernandez scrambled to keep the broadcast going after Greene’s unexpected walk off, telling viewers, “We’ll be right back. Pardon for us,” she said before sliding back into the rest of the report.

Visitors to KTVA’s website on Monday were greeted with a brief message from the station’s news director, Bert Rudman. It read: “We sincerely apologize for the inappropriate language used by a KTVA reporter during her live presentation on the air tonight. The employee has been terminated.”

Greene didn’t let her on-air exit be her final word on the matter. In video posted to the Alaska Cannabis Club’s YouTube channel, Greene said, “There comes a time in each and every one of our lives when we must choose to continue to spectate or stand up for what’s right.”

You can watch Greene’s final sign off here.

Twitter: @patrickkevinday