Local news anchor Leon Harris is leaving NBC4 Washington for good, more than four months after he initially stepped away from the station in the aftermath of a broadcast in which he struggled mightily.
The longtime journalist called the departure Tuesday a “difficult decision” he made with his “health and family” in mind after he became a headline for all the wrong reasons over a shaky Thanksgiving day segment.
“Many of you have kindly asked about me over the past few months,” he said in a statement on NBC Washington’s website.
“As you know, I took time off to focus on my health and family. After 40+ years of nonstop work and the dramatic changes in the news and television industry, I’ve made the difficult decision to step away from my role at NBC4.”
Harris, 63, was with the local station for eight years. He previously worked for 21 years on CNN’s morning programs and another 14 years at WJLA, according to his station bio.
He covered major news events including the Oklahoma City bombing, the OJ Simpson trial and the 9/11 terror attacks.
“We are grateful for Leon’s eight years of service to our newsroom,” NBC4 Washington said in a statement Tuesday.
“We thank him for his commitment to our community, dedication to journalism, hard work, and friendship. He will be missed, and we wish him nothing but the best.”
Harris, who has dealt with alcohol abuse and health problems in the past, faced uncomfortable questions about the Thanksgiving news segment in which he hesitated at times and stumbled over words on air.
The station said back then he was taking time off to focus on unspecified health issues.
Harris previously spoke about his battle with alcohol in March 2022 after he ran into trouble for crashing into another car while driving under the influence.
He also faced a major health scare in 2013 when he was diagnosed with necrotizing pancreatitis and almost died.
“My pancreas basically decided to start dying and taking my kidneys, my lungs and other internal organs along with it,” he told CNN more than a month after the scary medical episode.
More information about Harris’s exit from the NBC affiliate was not revealed Tuesday.
“This is the right time to prioritize my health and family,” he said in his Tuesday statement.
“A special thanks to my amazing colleagues, friends, and especially to our viewers who welcomed me into their homes. It’s been an honor. Thank you.”
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