CA News Anchor Resigns After Defending Kavanaugh

Kris Long

Kris Long, a veteran Coachella Valley news anchor for KESQ CBS Local 2, has resigned after penning a 400-word Facebook post defending Supreme Court nominee Judge Brett Kavanaugh from an accusation that Kavanaugh sexually assaulted an acquaintance while in high school.

According to USAToday, Long’s public post ignited debate on Facebook over Kavanaugh’s confirmation, the assault claim and journalistic ethics. Long has been off the air since the Sept. 17 evening newscast.

In a written statement on Oct. 5, Gulf California Broadcast Company General Manager Jerry Upham wrote that the Palm Springs CBS affiliate had accepted Long's resignation “effective immediately.”

“Kris Long has been an integral part of this company’s news organization and we’d like to thank him for his many years of service,” Upham wrote.

Long also commented in the same written statement.

“I want to thank those who have offered support and apologize again for any I may have offended,” Long said. “ I hope to return to the news business in the future.”

In an earlier interview with The Desert Sun, Long said he stood by his initial Facebook post, but would further emphasize that he condemns rape. He also said he understood why some victims of sexual assault opt not to report the crime immediately.