Longtime WAFF anchor Mark Thornhill is gone from the Huntsville station in what station management calls 'a personnel matter.' Thornhill's last day was Friday, Dec. 1.

Station news director Bob Morford told AL.com Wednesday that Thornhill's departure was not related to layoffs made last week by station owner Raycom Media. It also was not a retirement, Morford said.

"It's about Mark, and I appreciate you asking about him," Morford said. "The truth is we can confirm for you that Mark is no longer at WAFF. Other than that, we simply do not discuss personnel matters. The truth is they're personal and they're confidential, and we just don't discuss them as company policy."

Raycom Media reportedly laid off approximately 70 employees across its properties last week. WAFF sports anchor Scott Theisen was reported among those laid off.

Thornhill was at WAFF for more than two decades, starting in 1991 as sports director, according to his agent's website. He became evening anchor for the station in 1994.

Attempts to reach Thornhill and his agent for comment were unsuccessful Wednesday afternoon.