Meteorologist Fires Back At Criticism For Texting His Wife On-Air During Severe Weather Broadcast

Sorry not sorry. A meteorologist is defending himself amid backlash for texting during a live broadcast. Nick Jansen of Minnesota’s KTTC spoke out after a now-viral moment in which he was caught on camera using his phone ahead of a severe weather report. Though Jansen did offer an apology and brief explanation before continuing his segment, sharing that he was simply contacting his wife to make sure she and their baby were safe, he later took to social media to address the subsequent criticism. In a July 30 Facebook post, Jansen fired back at a scornful email he says he received in which a viewer wrote, “That he has to call his wife to make sure she takes the baby to safety? Maybe some people think it’s noble or cute. I don’t.” Jansen offered a different take in his response, noting that he believes prioritizing his family was the right choice. “I take my job and your safety very seriously. But I’m also a husband and a father. In the middle of severe weather, I decided to take a brief moment to make sure my wife and child were safely in the basement. That’s not me being unprofessional, it’s me being human. I am a husband and a father FIRST. Let’s all try to show each other a little more understanding and respect in life,” the post read in part, concluding with a red heart emoji. Commenters were overwhelmingly supportive while applauding Jansen for not only standing up for himself but also prioritizing his loved ones while maintaining professional composure on air. The situation got enough attention for Jansen to speak out again days later, sharing gratitude for those who offered praise and understanding – and letting fans know that his 5-month-old daughter is thankful too!