Bill Shory, who has been WBIR‘s news director for the past eight years, has left the Knoxville NBC-affiliate amid reports that he had “created a hostile work environment.”

Neither Shory nor the station has elaborated on his departure.

“The only thing I would like to say is that I am not with the station any longer, but am very proud of what we have accomplished over the last eight years,” Shory told the Knoxville News Sentinel recently.  “I’m exploring some other opportunities and talking to a lot of folks.”

NewsBlues reports that Shory’s departure came after Gannett conducted a two-week investigation into his behavior:

Gannett determined that Shory had “created a hostile work environment” at WBIR by “threatening several employees” and occassionally “throwing objects at newsroom employees who angered or disagreed” with him.

Shory joined WBIR in 2004 after working as an executive producer at WCCO.

“I want to thank everyone who has reached out over the past couple of days, and everyone who has been so supportive of our efforts over the years,” Shory said in a statement posted on Twitter.  “I am very proud of the news staff, and I’m excited to watch what they’ll accomplish in the years ahead.”

WBIR is currently searching for his replacement.  In the meantime, Taz Painter, WBIR’s managing editor, has been named interim news director.

[Knoxville News Sentinel, NewsBlues]