Meteorologist Mike Masco has left Springfield ABC-affiliate WGGB “to be closer to family.”

“I’ve been back and forth every weekend to take care of my mom who has been sick for the last several months,” Masco said of his departure. “This became extremely frustrating! I worked closely with my management to work out an exit and they were tremendously helpful!”

Masco’s departure has been linked to this on-air incident last week. News director Jim Tortora told TVSpy that Masco’s departure and the exchange were unrelated.

Masco said he was moving to Philadelphia and would be filling in on Fox O&O WTXF “from time to time,” but a Fox spokesperson tells TVSpy that Masco is not scheduled to appear on the station.