Hey there, friend. Imagine this: You’ve spent nearly two decades waking up Rhode Islanders with your warm smile, delivering the weather forecast that helps families plan their beach days, school runs, or just how many layers to wear on a crisp New England morning. Now, picture saying goodbye to all that—not because you want to, but because the terms just don’t add up anymore. That’s the tough spot Kelly Bates Asks Supporters Not to Take Out Their Anger on NBC 10 … (WJAR) after 17 loyal years. But what stands out most isn’t her exit; it’s her graceful response to the storm of support that followed. Kelly Bates asked supporters not to take out their anger on NBC 10, urging everyone to choose kindness over fury. It’s a story that tugs at the heartstrings, reminding us all about grace under pressure, the power of community, and why one person’s voice can ripple through an entire region.
If you’ve ever tuned into local news for that familiar face or felt a pang when a beloved personality leaves the screen, this tale is for you. Kelly’s journey isn’t just about one meteorologist—it’s a mirror reflecting bigger conversations around age, value, and how we treat each other in tough times. Let’s dive in, shall we? I’ll keep it real and straightforward, like chatting over coffee, because stories like this deserve to be shared simply and with heart.
Who Is Kelly Bates? The Meteorologist Who Became Rhode Island’s Weather Whisperer
Before we get to the drama, let’s talk about the woman at the center of it all. Kelly Bates isn’t just a name on the TV guide; she’s the kind of person who makes you feel like the forecast is a friendly heads-up from a neighbor. Born and raised with that classic New England grit, Kelly started her broadcasting career with a passion for science and a knack for making complex topics—like why that nor’easter is barreling our way—feel as easy as pie.
Kelly joined WJAR, the NBC affiliate in Providence, back in 2004. That’s right—17 years of early mornings, late nights tracking hurricanes, and everything in between. She wasn’t your cookie-cutter TV personality. With her approachable style, quick wit, and genuine care for her viewers, Kelly built a fanbase that spanned grandparents tuning in for storm warnings to kids who dreamed of chasing clouds like she did. Remember those viral moments when she’d banter with anchors about Rhode Island’s quirky weather? Or how she’d break down climate change without making it feel like a lecture? That’s Kelly—smart, sassy, and always rooting for her community.
Over the years, she earned accolades, including an Emmy nomination, and became a staple in households across Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts. But life on air isn’t all sunshine. About a decade into her tenure, Kelly was shifted to part-time, a move that raised eyebrows but didn’t dim her shine. She kept delivering top-notch forecasts, even as the industry evolved with tighter budgets and shifting priorities. By 2021, at 49 years old, Kelly was still the go-to for reliable weather wisdom. Little did she know, her next chapter would spark a wave of emotion that would test her character in ways no radar could predict.
The Sudden Goodbye: Why Kelly Bates Left NBC 10
Fast-forward to September 7, 2021. In a tweet that hit like a thunderclap, Kelly announced: “So friends. This is it. I wanted to let you know that I am no longer employed by NBC10. Thank you for everything over the nearly 20 years of having the privilege of being a trusted person in the community. It has been one hell of a ride!” Oof. If you were a fan, that probably stopped you in your tracks. What happened? Was it health? A big move? Nope. It boiled down to something painfully common in TV: contract negotiations gone south.
Kelly later opened up to The Boston Globe, sharing that when her contract came up for renewal, the offer from station management was one she “found myself unable to continue working under.” We’re talking wages and benefits that didn’t match her experience or the value she brought to the table. At 49, and as she put it, a “round woman” in an industry obsessed with youth and image, Kelly felt the squeeze. TV news runs on contracts—short-term deals that keep things flexible for stations but precarious for talent. For Kelly, after giving her prime years to WJAR, the terms felt like a step backward.
She poured her heart out in a tearful TikTok video, thanking viewers while holding back sobs. “I am profoundly grateful for all of you,” she said, her voice cracking with emotion. That raw honesty? It went viral overnight. Views poured in, comments flooded with love, and suddenly, #BringBackKelly was trending in Rhode Island. NBC 10’s general manager, Vic Vetters, issued a statement thanking her for her “dedication,” but it did little to quell the buzz. Fans weren’t just sad—they were mad. And that’s where Kelly’s true colors shone through.
The Backlash: When Love Turns to Anger and Petitions Fly
You know how it goes: When someone you admire gets what feels like a raw deal, protectiveness kicks in. Kelly’s departure ignited a firestorm. Social media lit up with posts like, “How could they let her go? She’s the best part of Channel 10!” Within days, an online petition launched on Change.org, calling for her reinstatement. It racked up thousands of signatures—folks from Pawtucket to Westerly signing on, sharing stories of how Kelly’s forecasts got them through blizzards or helped plan weddings around sunny spells.
But not all the energy was positive. Some supporters turned their frustration on NBC 10’s newsroom. Harsh messages flooded inboxes, social feeds, and even voicemails. One remaining meteorologist, Christina Erne, shared a particularly nasty private message she’d received: a tirade comparing her unfavorably to Kelly and laced with venom. It was the kind of online vitriol that makes you shake your head—innocent staffers caught in the crossfire, just doing their jobs. Reddit threads in r/RhodeIsland buzzed with speculation, some blaming Sinclair Broadcast Group (WJAR’s parent company) for injecting “right-wing propaganda” into local news and undervaluing talent like Kelly. Protests even popped up outside the station, peaceful but pointed, with signs reading “Kelly’s Weather Was Always Fair—Why Wasn’t Her Treatment?”
The outpouring was a testament to Kelly’s impact. Viewers felt like they’d lost a friend, not just a forecaster. In a market where WJAR has long led ratings, her absence was a gut punch. Women over 40 in media shared their own stories of being sidelined, turning #KellyBates into a rallying cry for ageism and sexism in broadcasting. It was raw, real, and relatable—proving how deeply we connect with the faces on our screens.
Kelly’s Graceful Stand: “Please Be Kind to the Newsroom Staff”
Amid the chaos, Kelly could have stayed silent or fanned the flames. Instead, on September 9, 2021, she posted a Facebook message that became the stuff of legends. “Greetings my friends! What a whirlwind the last few days have been, to say the least,” she began. Then, the heart of it: “I’d respectfully ask that if you are motivated to advocate for me, please be kind to the newsroom staff of WJAR. … I appreciate all of you, and I can’t express how much your devotion to me has rocked my world.”
Talk about class. Kelly acknowledged her disagreements with management but drew a clear line: Her colleagues—reporters, producers, fellow meteorologists—weren’t the enemy. Many had been her allies through the years, standing by her side during shifts to part-time and contract talks. By asking fans to channel their energy positively, she turned potential toxicity into a teachable moment. Her words echoed leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. or Gandhi, whom she subtly nodded to in broader reflections: Change comes from understanding, not hostility.
The post exploded—hundreds of comments, thousands of reactions. Fans praised her for “taking the high road,” with one writing, “The fact that you have taken the high road is not lost. Best wishes for much continued success.” It wasn’t just lip service; it shifted the narrative. Petitions continued, but the tone softened. Protests stayed peaceful, focused on support rather than blame. Kelly’s plea highlighted a deeper truth: Anger is valid, but kindness amplifies impact. In an era of cancel culture and quick-trigger outrage, her approach was a breath of fresh air.
Echoes in the Industry: Ageism, Sexism, and the Realities of Local TV News
Kelly’s story isn’t isolated—it’s a snapshot of bigger battles in broadcasting. Local TV news, the lifeblood of communities, is a tough gig. Stations like WJAR, owned by giants like Sinclair, face pressure to cut costs while chasing younger demographics. That means veterans like Kelly—talented, experienced, but over 40—often get the short end. She’s spoken candidly about being a “49-year-old round woman,” shining a light on body image standards that haven’t budged much since the Mad Men era.
Data backs this up: A 2020 study by the Radio Television Digital News Association found women hold only 30% of meteorologist roles, and those over 50? Even scarcer. Kelly’s exit sparked conversations on platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter, with pros sharing #MeToo-style stories of contracts slashed post-40. It’s not just Rhode Island; from Boston to Philly, beloved anchors have waved goodbye under similar clouds. Yet, Kelly’s response flipped the script, showing how to exit with dignity and spark real dialogue.
Her fans’ reactions? A mix of heartbreak and hope. Many boycotted NBC 10 temporarily, tuning to competitors like WPRI (Channel 12), which scooped up fresh talent. Ratings dipped, proving Kelly’s pull. But her message lingered: Advocate fiercely, but humanely. It’s a lesson for any industry—tech, education, you name it—where loyalty meets corporate bottom lines.
A New Chapter: From NBC 10 Heartache to Channel 6 Sunshine
Good news doesn’t stay buried forever. In June 2022, The Boston Globe announced Kelly had landed on her feet as weekend meteorologist and science reporter at WLNE (Channel 6), Providence’s ABC affiliate. “I’m thrilled,” she told reporters, her smile back in full force. It wasn’t the daily slot she’d known, but it was a fresh start—forecasting for a station eager to leverage her star power.
Kelly dove in with gusto, covering everything from coastal erosion to eclipse excitement. Fans rejoiced; that petition energy morphed into cheers for her new gig. “Kelly’s back where she belongs—on our screens,” one viewer posted. By 2025, she’s still going strong, proving resilience pays off. Her TikTok following grew, where she shares behind-the-scenes weather nerdery and life lessons. No more tears—just that signature spark.
Reflecting on it all, Kelly’s journey underscores reinvention. At 50 now, she’s not “done,” as she once feared. Instead, she’s a mentor figure, chatting with young broadcasters about navigating contracts and staying true to yourself. Her NBC 10 saga? It’s fuel for her fire, a reminder that sometimes, the door that closes leads to a brighter sky.
Why Kelly’s Message Still Matters Today: Kindness as the Ultimate Forecast
Here we are, years later, and Kelly Bates Asks Supporters Not to Take Out Their Anger on NBC 10 … feels as timely as ever. In a world quick to rage-tweet and slow to empathize, her plea is a beacon. It’s about recognizing the humans behind the headlines—colleagues who cheered her on, viewers who loved her, even managers making hard calls. Anger has its place; it drove petitions and petitions drove change. But unchecked, it hurts the innocent.