Young meteorologist Alex Kerkhove, who alleged that her former employer Nexstar monitored her conversations with her mentor, has been seen on a river trip with him shortly after her dismissal from WTWO-TV in Terre Haute, Indiana. The outing with veteran chief meteorologist Jimmy Walker was documented in social media posts.
Jimmy Walker, who has been with WTWO for 40 years, shared photos on Facebook over the July Fourth weekend showing him and Kerkhove on a river excursion. The post, flagged by the industry newsletter FTVLive, included a message from Walker thanking a guide for the trip and noting Kerkhove's presence. "Yep, Alex Kerkhove for her first river trip. Good times with good people," Walker wrote.
The appearance together comes less than a month after Walker publicly defended Kerkhove following her exit from the station. In a June 9 Facebook post, Walker stated that Kerkhove was "let go well before her contract was up" and called her "one of the best meteorologists I've had the pleasure of working with."
Walker indicated that management's decision influenced his own future plans, suggesting it "has made my decision for my future pretty clear now." He also expressed that he had hoped to stay at WTWO due to his working relationship with Kerkhove, whom he had persuaded to remain with the station for a few more years. "I planned to stay put as well since I had such a great weather partner," he wrote.
Kerkhove has accused station management of monitoring her discussions with Walker, restricting her social media activity, and pressuring her to resign before terminating her employment. She described Walker as "my rock" during the situation and alleged that managers told her she could only speak with him for 15 to 20 minutes during work hours due to the station monitoring security cameras.
The dispute has drawn attention within the television industry. FTVLive reported that Walker recently launched a personal website, "Jesse Walker Weather," fueling speculation among station insiders about a potential departure. One source cited by the newsletter suggested viewers might not be surprised if Walker retires in the coming months. The publication also noted that Walker's recent social media posts with Kerkhove have intensified speculation about his future at WTWO. As of the latest reports, Walker has not publicly announced any plans to retire or leave the station. Nexstar had not responded to requests for comment.