Star Tribune Apologizes To KARE 11 Anchor For Gossip Column During Wetterling Coverage

Star Tribune gossip columnist, C.J. apologized to a KARE 11 news anchor Jana Shortal for comments she made in a recent opinion piece bashing the anchor's pants during the Jacob Wetterling coverage.

Some Star Tribune readers and Shortal fans were outraged at the recent opinion piece that has since been taken down from tribune's website. C.J. wrote, "She looked great from the waist up in a polka-dot shirt and cool blazer, but the skinny jeans did not work. I was among a number of media types who found them inappropriate and, given the gravity of the day’s subject matter, downright jarring."

The post generated thousands of likes, comments and shares from people in support of Shortal within a few hours of being posted on the anchor's Facebook page. It gained the attention of national media outlets like People Magazine and Huffington Post.The Star Tribune ended up taking C.J.'s gossip piece off of their website, and eventually apologized to the KARE 11 anchor.

C.J. eventually apologized to Shortal and made sure to tell her Twitter followers about it. But, her post seemed a little disingenuous.

C.J. penned, "A column I wrote and that was briefly published Wednesday has created a lot of anger and confusion among some readers. I want you to know that I’m sorry it hurt Jana Shortal and I have told her so. At the time, in my own sadness about the horribly tragic Jacob Wetterling news, I was trying to urge maximum respect for the family and that led me to comment on someone’s attire. In hindsight, that was a mistake and I understand the perspective of those upset by it."

I think at this point we all need to move on and focus on what really matters, and that's certainly not the cut and style of someone's pants. My heart is hurting for the Wetterling family, and seeing gossip posts like this one make me sick to my stomach. As Minnesotans, we need to come together and support each other during this time of mass grieving. We need to do what Patty Wetterling suggested and, "Say a prayer, light a candle, be with friends, play with your children, giggle, hold hands, eat ice cream, create joy and help your neighbor."