Weatherman Fired After Criticizing Right-Wing Protests

Popular Minneapolis gay meteorologist Sven Sundgaard is keeping his options open following an abrupt firing by the local NBC-affiliate KARE11.

"Many have asked me about KARE11's post regarding my employment and separation from employment," Sundgaard wrote in a Facebook post Monday. "Here's what I have to say about that for now: I disagree with and dispute my former employers claims and I am considering my options at this time."

KARE11 announced the firing in a brief Facebook post that provided few details.

"Due to continued violations of KARE11's news ethics and other policies, we have made the decision to part ways with Sven Sundgaard," read the statement on Facebook. "We hope you continue to turn to KARE 11 for your news, traffic, weather and more."

Both Sundgaard and KARE11 have been tightlipped about the alleged violation of ethics and other policies. While information about the firing remain limited, speculation is that it was in part caused by Sundgaard's since-deleted reposting of a Facebook comment by Minneapolis Rabbi Michael Adam Latz where he compared those protesting the various social distancing-related closures to "white nationalist Nazi sympathizer gun fetishist miscreants." The comment drew the ire of Alpha Newsin a story they wrote, as well as from former Congressman and current U.S. Senate candidate Jason Lewis who also recently tweeted about the incident.

Sundgaard is a popular figure both locally and also on social media where his Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts have over 100,000 combined followers.

He and his partner, Robert Scott, have been conducting popular livestream broadcasts during the ongoing global pandemic.

The 39-year-old Sundgaard is a native of Saint Paul, Minn. He attended St. Cloud State University. He also interned at KARE11 before taking a full-time role.

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