Ex-Boston News Anchor Sues Station for $4M Over Alleged Racial Discrimination

Legal Battle Over Alleged Discrimination

A former morning news anchor at a Boston-based broadcaster is taking legal action against the company, seeking $4 million in damages. The lawsuit alleges that she faced discrimination based on her race and gender.

Kate Merrill joined the station as an anchor in 2004 and remained with the company until 2024. During her tenure, she worked alongside several colleagues, including two Black employees who were recently hired. According to the lawsuit, Merrill was accused of committing "microaggressions" and displaying unconscious bias toward these employees. However, it remains unclear who made these accusations.

In response to the allegations, Merrill was demoted in May 2024 and reassigned to weekend night shifts. The lawsuit claims that her manager, Justin Draper, publicly celebrated her demotion, which he did not do for male colleagues who were also demoted. This, according to the lawsuit, was an act of malice and ill will.

The lawsuit describes the demotion as "career ending," and Merrill resigned in May 2024. A non-compete clause in her contract prevented her from working in broadcasting until June 2025. She denies any actions motivated by overt racism or unconscious bias.

Tensions with a Colleague

The lawsuit centers largely on Merrill’s relationship with Jason Mikell, a Black meteorologist hired in 2023. He replaced a white meteorologist who had been fired without prior warnings about his performance. The lawsuit states that Mikell and Merrill had a good rapport, with Mikell even asking her for help with local pronunciations.

Mikell allegedly made an inappropriate joke in January 2024, suggesting a romantic relationship between him and Merrill. The station's news director took no corrective action. In April 2024, Merrill privately offered Mikell a correction on the word "Concord," which led to a confrontation. Mikell reportedly screamed at her, claiming she was being critical. After this incident, Merrill filed a complaint with the station’s human resources department.

Diversity Concerns and Alleged Bias

The lawsuit references a diversity reckoning that CBS and WBZ experienced in 2020. A former CBS executive reportedly described WBZ as "too white" and the station with the least diverse on-air talent. The lawsuit claims that Courtney Cole, a Black anchor hired in 2022, was given more time on the anchor desk than a more experienced white colleague to increase the number of Black faces on the station.

Merrill expressed concerns that WBZ was not providing enough support to her less experienced colleagues, many of whom were people of color. After filing a complaint with HR, she was investigated for racial discrimination, allegedly due to complaints from Cole and Mikell.

Accusations and Controversial Comments

According to the lawsuit, the acts of racism attributed to Merrill included telling Mikell he would "find his people" and frequently criticizing him while not asking about his weekends. Cole claimed that Merrill suggested she move to Nashville to become a main anchor. The lawsuit suggests that Cole interpreted this as a racial comment, rather than a career opportunity. It notes that Nashville is not a majority-minority city.

WBZ and CBS have not yet responded to requests for comment. The case highlights ongoing issues of diversity and inclusion in media, raising questions about workplace dynamics and the treatment of employees in the industry.