“Vermont Edition” co-host Connor Cyrus resigned from Vermont Public this week, the public media organization announced in a post on its website.
On Wednesday morning, Cyrus shared a statement on Instagram in which he addressed the news and opened up about a personal tragedy that he experienced before leaving the role.
“I was really hoping that my departure from Vermont Public would have been quieter or would have been a joint effort with a joint statement together, but cat’s out of the bag,” Cyrus said in the video.
Cyrus went on to disclose that two weeks ago, his boyfriend died after complications from cystic fibrosis, a genetic disease that damages the lungs and other organs. Fourteen years ago, he had a lung transplant, but in recent years “he could feel his lungs giving up again,” Cyrus said.
In the statement, Cyrus said that while his boyfriend was in hospice he spent much of his time in Boston with him.
“Even though it was something we were prepared for, when you love somebody that much and they love you that much, when they take their final breath, it’s not easy,” Cyrus said.
Cyrus acknowledged that he hasn’t been on air as much as usual in recent weeks and that he has been “in a little bit of a fog” while he tries to figure out what’s next.
Reached by phone Wednesday afternoon, Cyrus confirmed that he resigned from Vermont Public and otherwise deferred to his video statement.
Cyrus was hired in 2021 as a co-host and senior producer of the radio program “Vermont Edition,” according to Vermont Public. He also hosted political debates and produced video features for the organization.
“Vermont Edition” co-host Mikaela Lefrak was quoted in the announcement as saying “Connor is a talented journalist with a big heart. I and the ‘Vermont Edition’ team wish him the very best.”
Lefrak will become the full-time host of “Vermont Edition,” according to the announcement.
In the video statement, Cyrus thanked many Vermont Public employees and spoke about his next steps. “I don’t know,” Cyrus said.
“I’ve had a lot of loss, especially in these past several weeks, and what I don’t want to do is grow bitter and grow resentments,” Cyrus said. “So I’m trying to look at the silver linings, which is to close a lot of chapters all at once, so now I get to rebuild a lot all at once.”
Disclosure: VTDigger has partnered with Vermont Public to share a reporter, starting in July.
