Texas news anchors Carney Porter and Michael Bohling have revealed where they stand with one another after an awkward on air exchange went viral this week.
The two journalists — who work for Wichita Falls, Texas, news station KFDX3 — surprised some viewers when they openly bickered over the weather forecast during their 10 p.m. newscast on Wednesday, February 25. Porter, a KFDX3 news anchor, was introducing a segment when she offhandedly mentioned there wasn’t “any rain” in the forecast.
“I just said a second ago we have rain in the forecast,” meteorologist Bohling interjected.
Porter clarified that she was referring to clear skies for the next “three or four days,” though Bohling again corrected her by pointing out: “Actually, the rain chance is coming before the event.”
“Stop trying to correct people and just do your job,” Porter shot back.
The meteorologist seemed to be exasperated as he complained, “I just don’t know why you don’t listen to me!”
The segment got even more cringeworthy when Porter said that she wasn’t paying attention because Bohling is “boring.”
“Wow, wow, okay,” a shocked Bohling replied.
One viewer was puzzled by the newscast banter and shared the clip via Facebook, along with the caption, “What just happened!?! That was a SPICY exchange for 10 o’clock news!!”
The original clip was viewed more than 100,000 times via Facebook since Wednesday and has also been shared via TikTok and other social media platforms.
Hours after the segment aired, Bohling tried to make it clear that there was no malice behind his on air bickering with Porter.
“So this video is going around from last night… Carney and I are super close, nearly siblings in a way,” the meteorologist insisted via Facebook on Thursday, February 26. “We literally talk trash to each other all day, and sometimes it comes out on-air. Trust me, it’s all love.”
The Texas media personality tried to see the funny side of the controversy later that day when he posted a photo of himself and Porter squaring off with boxing gloves.
“I think it’s time for us to just drop the gloves already,” Bohling quipped. “Ok so I’m going to address this one more time, for folks that still aren’t sure. The video going around is just how we mess with each other. We tend to lose track of the fact that we’re on tv at 10pm (we’re tired just like you), and sometimes we go over the top lol.”
Bohling stressed once again that he and Porter “are super close” off air and frequently lean on each for support in and out of the workplace.
“When Carney is having a bad day at work, who does she talk to? Me. If I’m having a bad day at work, who do I talk to? Carney,” he revealed. “When Carney’s car was in the shop, who gave her a ride? Me. When my car was stuck behind a block of ice, who gave me a ride? Carney. Who bought her a glass with a quote on it, a quote we both use, for her birthday? Me.”
Bohling went on, “Who bought me balloons for my 30th birthday? Carney. When Carney’s power went out because of a billing error, who did she call for help? Me. When I was having a panic attack (always struggled with anxiety, it was really bad for a bit), who helped calm me down? Carney.”
“Carney and I love each other like family. I promise you that,” he clarified. “Any time you hear us bicker, we are just messing with each other. Because at the end of the day, we always have each other’s backs.”
That same day, Porter offered her own explanation for the viral clip and backed up Bohling’s description of their close friendship.
“I know it seems like Michael and I give each other a hard time, but please understand that it is always and only in good fun,” she wrote via Facebook on Thursday. “We are actually close friends and we love to be sarcastic with each other and sometimes those instances can come off sounding a bit more serious than it actually is, especially for those who don’t know the dynamics of our friendship off the air.”
“But that being said, I would NEVER intentionally be mean or hurtful to Michael or anyone in our newsroom, whether it be on or off the air,” she added. “We are all really close and I’m so lucky that we are all such great friends! For those who found the moment uncomfortable, I sincerely apologize!”
Porter joined KFDX in 2021 as a multimedia reporter and was promoted to an anchor role in January 2022. Bohling has been the Texas news station’s chief meteorologist since December 2021.
