Channel 3's popular morning show host Jed Mescon has been suspended for a remark he made Friday morning promoting the annual Brainerd Barbecue put on by the Brainerd Kiwanis Club.
Sources said after the show, Mr. Mescon was called into the office of news director Derrall Stalvey and chided for making the brief mention about the event, which was in its 62nd year.
The host, who has long been involved in a number of civic and fundraising events, was reportedly told to focus on the news, rather than promoting community events such as the barbecue.
Mr. Mescon was told he would not be on the air for the Monday morning show and was suspended without pay.
Tom Tolar, Channel 3 station manager, did not return a call for comment.
Mr. Stalvey said, "We do not comment on private personnel issues. I can tell you that Channel 3 Eyewitness News values community information. We provided news coverage of that event with video, an interview, and more information on Live at 5:00 Friday. We also offer at least two 'Community Calendar' segments in our morning news every day."
Mr. Mescon has been at Channel 3 since 1989.
Mr. Stalvey joined Channel 3 last September.
In February, he dismissed four Channel 3 reporters - Lesley Dale, Will Carr, Matt Johnson and Webb Wright.