NANUET, NY – For Rockland County residents, there were two choices for hyper-local television news – News12 and Fios 1. Starting on November 16, 2019 that will all change, ending a run that started in 2007.

First reported by Lohud, Verizon has announced they will be discontinuing their contract with RNN, which provides Verizon news content. Fios 1 news consisted of stations in the Hudson Valley, Long Island, and New Jersey.

Verizon spokesman Tony McNary confirmed the move in an email.

“Later this year, Verizon will no longer be offering Fios1 News,” McNary wrote. “We have partnered with RNN for over 10 years to deliver award-winning hyper-local news coverage on Fios1. We wish RNN and their employees well during this transition.” via Lohud

It is being reported that the move will cost 150 employees their jobs at Fios 1.

When asked by Peter Kramer of Lohud if Verizon was getting out of the hyper-local news business altogether, Verizon Spokesman Tony McNary replied: “We still carry all the local broadcast networks, so customers will continue to have access to local news.”

We would like to highlight two Fios 1 reporters who have consistently covered Rockland County – Ali Rosen and Jonathan Gordon. We have watched them ask tough questions, immerse themselves in the issues, and spotlight people in our county who are doing amazing things. They are both true professionals and we will all be watching them on a single digit tv station in NYC in the near future.