Long time readers here will be familiar with Chris Gloninger and his story.
As Chief Meteorologist for KCCI Des Moines, Chris was a national leader in putting his weather stories into climate context – until the death threats started, and, he tells me now, the Station management that had previously encouraged science coverage lost their courage, and pulled support.
Now, he’s working on a documentary about his experience and what it says about our media landscape. He needs help to get it done, and you can contribute here, and below.
There will be a fundraising Zoom with director Sarah Gibson, Dr. Jeff Masters, and Chris, this Wednesday, October 21, at 7:30 PM ET, you can RSVP and get an invite at WeatherUnderFire@gmail.com
Jeff Masters in Yale Climate Connections:
The best climate change documentary I’ve ever seen needs your help to get to the finish line. Aiming for a release in early 2027, “Weather Under Fire” follows meteorologist Chris Gloninger as he reports on the link between extreme weather and climate change on Iowa’s local news station, KCCI — until he upsets powerful special interests. He and his family receive death threats, forcing him to abandon his dream job. Now in its final editing process, the film has exhausted its funding and needs donations to pay for the creation of the finished product.
Here is the link for the working version of the trailer.
The movie’s website gives this blurb: “‘Weather Under Fire’ follows meteorologist Chris Gloninger as he reports on the link between extreme weather and climate change on Iowa’s local news station, KCCI — until his dream job turns into a nightmare. Through meticulous investigation told in true-crime cinematic fashion, the feature captures the escalation from a viewer’s violent messages to a police investigation and criminal conviction. Gloninger’s life — and career — are forever changed, but his story is only the beginning. We follow Gloninger and the meteorology community on a journey that uncovers a disturbing pattern of intimidation, misinformation, and defunding efforts across the country aimed at silencing meteorologists, reshaping public understanding of extreme weather science, and ultimately, jeopardizing the well-being of a nation.”
The film is complete – what’s left are the final touches. We’re raising this last bit of money now, because keeping Weather Under Fire independently funded has been a goal from the start so that we never had to give up our editorial independence. If you’d like to help get it over the finish line, contributions are tax-deductible: https://donate.mazloweb.com/donate/the-weatherman This Wednesday, October 21, at 7:30 PM ET (4:30 PM PT, 6:30 PM CT), director Sarah Gibson, Jeff and I are hosting a 30-minute Zoom. We’ll share clips from the film and take your questions live, and Jeff will close with a preview of what the strengthening Super El Niño could mean for California this winter. To get your invite, RSVP at WeatherUnderFire@gmail.com