A Cincinnati TV station discovered a "squatter" in its newsroom, and the culprit wasn't human but a raccoon seeking shelter from the cold weather.
Staff at Local 12, the CBS affiliate in Cincinnati, said they suspected someone had snuck into the building and was "secretly living" inside to escape the harsh winter cold.
Chief Meteorologist John Gumm shared on social media platform X that the "suspect's" identity was finally confirmed after a night-shift engineer spotted the animal in the newsroom.
Caught Red-Handed Rummaging Through Trash
In a video recorded by engineer Noah Schuler, the raccoon rummaged through a trash can in the newsroom. It occasionally paused, then dipped its head back into the bin to search.
As it tried to reach the bottom of the bin with one paw, the animal nearly knocked over the trash can before scurrying back to its hiding spot at the edge of the room.
Gumm jokingly wrote that "authorities have been notified."
Online Community Amused
The incident amused both the Local 12 staff and their viewers.
Anchor Meghan Mongillo joked on Facebook that the station had a "new employee" helping with broadcasts.
One user on X humorously commented that firing this "employee" could be considered wrongful termination.
It is currently unclear whether the raccoon has been removed from the building.
Not an Isolated Incident
Previously, in December, a raccoon in Virginia went viral after breaking into a liquor store, getting drunk, and being found lying face down near an employee restroom, leaving a trail of broken bottles behind.
The Cincinnati story further illustrates how "wild guests" sometimes find their own unique ways to adapt to harsh winters.
