Who is Meggan Gray's husband? WLOX anchor loses job after 14 years for vaccine refusal
A veteran Mississippi news anchor has been fired from her job for refusing to comply with her employer's Covid vaccine mandate.
MEAWW previously reported how the Novant healthcare system had fired over 175 workers for refusing vaccines. Meanwhile, we also reported how a South Carolina pizzeria owner fired all vaccinated staffers to "prove a point." Now it appears the overarching health guidlines are affecting news outlets as well.
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Forty-year-old Meggan Gray signed off from Good Morning Mississippi last Thursday, September 30, saying she wanted to "take a moment and let you know that I honestly do not know what the future holds for me" in terms of her career at WLOX. "And I just felt that I owed it to you... to take a moment while I had an opportunity to say thank you for allowing me into your homes for the past several years," she said, appearing to choke up as she spoke. "I've had a wonderful 18 year career here, and I'm very grateful for every moment of it. Thank you so much."
The following day she was not featured behind the anchor's desk -- after a staggering 14 years at the job. Gray took to Facebook to reveal she was let go because she refused to comply with a vaccine madate by WLOX's parent company, Gray Television, that required all staff members, contractors, and visitors to be fully vaccinated by October 1.
“My father has always taught me: INTEGRITY is doing the right thing, even when no one is watching. I’ve always lived by it, but in this particular instance, there are a lot of people watching. That’s why I feel compelled to relay the truth and explain why you won’t be seeing me anymore on WLOX," she wrote. "Gray Television, the parent company of WLOX, has implemented a company policy that all employees, managers, guests, outside contractors, and tenants must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. This is a CORPORATE decision; not WLOX."
"I am not vaccinated, and therefore I am no longer eligible for employment with Gray Television or any of their stations," she continued. "Before I go any further, let me make it clear – I’m not here to spark debate over the vaccine. I respect an individual’s decision to get vaccinated. I believe one of the greatest things about being an American is enjoying certain rights, including those about personal health decisions.” She added, “That is fully understood because that is a protected right they enjoy. Moreover, it is a personal decision for each American; but in my opinion, a forced decision to decide between vaccination and the livelihood of an individual is a dangerous precedent.”
"Please know, I tried everything possible to keep my job, including offering to be tested on a weekly basis. My requests were denied," she said.
"It hurts saying goodbye; it hurts parting on these terms," Gray concluded in the post. "However, I know in my heart it is the right decision for me and my family. I may have lost my job, but I preserved my integrity."
Two other well known staff members also announced their termination for similar reasons. Karl Bohnak, a 33-year meteorologist at Michigan's WLUC announced his termination on Facebook after he refused to get vaccinated. Linda Simmons, a 14-year veteran reporter at Missouri's KY3 cited religious reasons for not getting the jab despite GrayTV's vaccine mandate.
Who is Meggan Gray's husband?
The popular news anchor is happily married to her college sweetheart John Stolarkski. While not much is known about him, the couple is blessed with three children together. Gray shared a picture of her husband on Instagram last November to wish him a happy birthday. “Happy Birthday to this amazing daddy and husband!! We love you so very much and are extremely THANKFUL we can call you ours!! We love you John…. more than you’ll ever know!" she wrote.
The previous month, the couple celebrated their 17th anniversary together. “Happy 17 years to my hubby! Couldn’t help sharing some “throwbacks” to some of our first dates 20 years ago!!” Gray gushed on Instagram.