WKRN (Nashville) Reporter Chris O’Brien is leaving the Nexstar station to go work for the state of Tennessee.

O'Brien revealed he is leaving to go be a PIO for Tennessee's Department of Economic and Community Development -- a highly political department with close connections to the state's pro-business governor.

As recently as last month, O’Brien was covering the governor's controversial push to give Tennessee businesses a billion-dollar tax refund.

Yet, days before he leaves for a state job, WKRN still has him covering stories at the statehouse.

One Blogger/Vlogger tried to question O’Brien about his new job and how long he had been pushing for it while still covering the statehouse.

WATCH: “It’s the role of the press to be a check on power, not to be afraid to lose access for the sake of truth.”

After a @brotherjones_ plea to hold GOP supermajority authoritarianism accountable, @WKRN’s @THEChrisOB reveals he’ll be a press secretary for @GovBillLee’s ECD.🤔 pic.twitter.com/rGrhT1qKQP
— The Tennessee Holler (@TheTNHoller) April 19, 2024

The commenters were on the mark, but why the hell was WKRN management letting him cover the statehouse when he’s going to work for the statehouse?

I really hope that Nexstar looks into this ethical lapse.