Entertainment reporter Courtney Friel is leaving KTTV, the Fox O&O in Los Angeles. A station spokesperson told TVSpy that Friel’s contract was not renewed.

Friel joined KTTV in 2011 after four years as a New York bureau reporter at Fox News Channel.

Anchor Carlos Amezcua told viewers of her departure last night on KTTV’s 10 p.m. newscast, an announcement that seemed to surprise even Friel.

“Well, tomorrow is my last day here at Fox 11,” Friel said. “I didn’t know we were making that announcement, but I guess we are. I am leaving, unfortunately. But I’ll be around, so don’t worry.”

Friel is married to CBS reporter Carter Evans, who was caught in the crossfire of the Christopher Dorner shootout while reporting from Big Bear earlier this week.

>Update: Our sister site, FishbowlLA, interviews Friel about her departure.

As the space shuttle Endeavour made its final flight around Los Angeles Friday afternoon, every major station in the region was carrying live coverage of its arrival.

KNBC anchors Michael Brownlee and Kathy Vara began anchoring coverage just before 9:30amPT. They were joined by Colleen Williams at Griffith Observatory, John Cadiz Klemack in Palmdale, Sean Murphy at the Santa Monica Pier, Ted Chen at Edwards Air Force Base, Toni Guinyard and Chuck Henry at LAX, Patrick Healy at the Nasa Propulsion Center and Antonio Castelan in El Segundo.

KTTV had several anchors participating: Phil Shuman, Carlos Amezcua, Araksya Karapetyan, Lisa Breckenridge and Jeff Michael. Meteorologist Maria Quiban and Pablo Pereira handled the weather reports, and reporters were live across Los Angeles, including Bob DeCastro and Gigi Graciette at LAX, Mar Yvette at a restaurant near LAX and Gina Silva at Griffith Observatory. Hal Eisner and Tshaka Armstrong also contributed. Read more

KCOP, the Fox-owned MyNetworkTV affiliate in Los Angeles, is launching a 7 p.m. newscast next week.

KCOP is operated as a duopoly with KTTV, the Fox O&O in Los Angeles. The half-hour newscast will be anchored by KTTV anchors Carlos Amezcua and Christine Devine (pictured), as well as featuring KTTV’s reporters.

“We are excited to bring our viewers the only local newscast at this time,” vice president and news director Kingsley Smith said in a statement. “Now, commuters will have access to a no-nonsense take at the news of the day and issues facing Southern California.”