Verizon is getting out of creating local news.

On Wednesday, the telecommunications giant that announced it is partnering with the rival it sought for 10 years to overtake, Altice Optimum's News 12.

It's the end of Verizon Fios1 News, just as Westchester lawmakers were set to rally to keep that channel, and its 150 jobs at Rye Brook's RNN, in New York, Long Island and New Jersey. RNN's contract with Verizon ends Nov. 15.

"Starting in November, customers can enjoy content from the Altice News properties, including hyperlocal news from News 12 Networks, followed by content from i24NEWS and Cheddar in 2020," Verizon announced. "As part of the deal, Fios customers will have access to the News 12 Networks which are among the highest customer requested hyperlocal news brands in the New York tri-state area."

REACTION:As Verizon shifts to News 12 partnership, lawmakers decry loss of media voice

ROCKLAND LEGISLATURE: Speakers sound off at meeting: 'You want to fix the anger? Do your jobs!'

HURRICANE DORIAN: Storm could drop rainy weather on New York

SUPER 11: lohud unveils list of area's top returning football players

The News 12 channel will be on Channel 535HD in Long Island, the Lower Hudson Valley and New Jersey, areas which, until Nov. 15, will be served by Fios1 News.

For a decade, Verizon has been going head-to-head with Optimum's News 12 for hyperlocal news tailored to the Lower Hudson Valley, Long Island and New Jersey. Today's announcement is the waving of the hyperlocal white flag.

“We’re all about choice for our customers, and these channel additions bring our customers even more options for robust news and hyperlocal offerings on the Fios channel lineup,” said Erin McPherson, head of content strategy for Verizon. “Emmy-award winning News 12 is a leading, trusted hyperlocal news brand in the New York tri-state area."

Altice News President Jon Steinberg said: “We’re excited to make News 12 as well as Cheddar and i24NEWS available to Fios customers as we continue to advance Altice as a leader in hyperlocal, national, business and international news."

For three weeks, lawmakers and fans of Fios1 News have been rallying to retain the hyperlocal channel for the 1.2 million Verizon customers. The channel is staffed by 150 employees of Rye Brook-based RNN-TV, who will now be jobless.

A 10 a.m. news conference on the steps of New Rochelle City Hall was to offer lawmakers — including state Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Westchester County Executive George Latimer, Rep. Eliot Engel and others — a chance to speak out for 150 local jobs and local journalism.

That news conference has been overtaken by the morning's news.

Verizon announced last month it would not renew the 10-year contract it has with RNN to staff Fios1 News. That means that, come Nov. 16, on-air reporters and anchors and production staff at bureaus in Westchester, Long Island and New Jersey will be out of work.

The lawmakers, all Democrats, wanted Verizon to think again. They hinted — in letters to Verizon CEO Hans Vestberg — that there might be legislative sticks they could use to get Verizon back to the bargaining table.

The letters went unheeded as Verizon decided that it couldn't beat News 12, it would rather join them.

This story is developing.