As the public fallout continues from the surprising firing of WINK News chief metorologist Matt Devitt, a new challenge confronts the decision-makers at the Fort Myers CBS affliiate.
Who will replace Devitt?
Will Devitt’s replacement come from inside the walls of WINK News, where there remain six individuals on the weather team, which the WINK News website refers to as “The Weather Authority?”
Or, will the management at WINK go outside and search nationally for Devitt’s replacement. Based on the public outrage over the firing, whomever takes his place will have a tough act to follow.
There’s a lot of speculatiom swirling around regarding the firing of Devitt, but nothing official from him or WINK News. Devitt is a much-loved weather expert in this market for a decade who connected with his audience with his calm and reassuring approach during hurricane coverage.
Devitt posted a statement on his social media page, saying he was fired on Jan. 10.
“This decision was not one that I expected or agreed with and was not given the opportunity to say goodbye on-air,” Devitt said. “It was a complete shock to me, my family and fellow coworkers.”
Who is WINK News metorologist Josh Green?
On Monday’s (Jan. 12) WINK News broadcast it was Josh Green who filled the weather slot that Devitt previously held during the evening newscasts. Green is a recent hire at WINK News (May 2025) and has been working weekend shifts, primarily, and filling in other gaps when needed.
According to the WINK website, Green, before moving to Southwest Florida, forecasted hurricanes, tornadoes, and severe weather in Tallahassee, earning recognition as Florida’s Best Weathercaster in a small market in 2024.
Monday (Jan. 12) also happened to be WINK’s first time broadcasting from its new headquarters in Gateway. The station is moving its operations from downtown Fort Myers after costly damage from flooding from past hurricanes.
If Devitt’s replacement is not Green, then who should it be? One of the five other people on the WINK weather team or someone else? You can take our poll here, or use this interactive voting tool to cast your vote:
Poll: Who should replace Matt Devitt at WINK News?
Who is WINK News metoroligist Zach Maloch?
The No. 2 metorologist at the station, Zach Maloch, currently handles the weather for the WINK morning newscasts during the week.
According to the WINK website, Maloch is a certified broadcast meteorologist by the American Meteorological Society and holds a Bachelor of Science in Meteorology from Iowa State University. Originally from the Chicagoland area, he has forecasted across the country from Iowa and Arkansas to North Carolina and Florida.
Maloch first joined WINK in 2016, where he played a key role guiding viewers through Hurricane Irma. After a successful run as a meteorologist in Raleigh, North Carolina, he returned to Southwest Florida in 2022 to serve as a marketing consultant. But it didn’t take long to realize where he belonged: back in front of the weather wall, helping viewers navigate everything from morning sunshine to severe weather.
After assisting during Hurricane Idalia in 2023, Maloch officially rejoined the WINK weather team.
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Florida weatherman Matt Devitt was fired. Who will replace him at WINK?
Reporting by Mark H. Bickel, Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News / Fort Myers News-Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
