NBC Washington TV Anchor Leon Harris Announces Departure 4 Months After Concerning Broadcast and Leave of Absence

Leon Harris, an anchor for NBC affiliate WRC-TV in Washington, D.C. — who took a leave of absence last year after a Thanksgiving broadcast prompted concern from viewers — has announced he is leaving the station.

On Tuesday, April 8, the longtime news anchor announced his departure after taking a four-month leave of absence “to focus on [his] 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. I’m grateful to NBC4 for having me as part of their team for the last eight years,” he wrote.

“This is the right time to prioritize my health and family,” he added. “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.”

The station announced the news via Instagram alongside their own statement about his departure. “We are grateful for Leon’s eight years of service to our newsroom. We thank him for his commitment to our community, dedication to journalism, hard work, and friendship,” the station wrote. “He will be missed, and we wish him nothing but the best.”

When reached by PEOPLE, the station confirmed that Harris’ departure was permanent.

On Nov. 28, Harris appeared to slur his words and stumbled while reading from a teleprompter during a broadcast.

A user on X who shared footage of the segment commented that Harris seemed to struggle to read and urged the station to check on him. Another user wrote on X that the segment had been “hard to watch” and hoped that Harris was okay.

On that same broadcast, WRC meteorologist Ryan Miller appeared to address what happened to his colleague to viewers. “We heard a lot from some of you through phone and email during this newscast. We want to assure you that our colleague Leon Harris is fine,” Miller said. “The News4 team appreciates your concern and we’ll see you back here at 7:30.”

Four days later, on Monday, Dec. 2, WRC said that Harris appeared to be unwell during the broadcast and would be “stepping away from the anchor desk to focus on health issues.”

“We here at NBC4 — and you at home — care deeply about Leon and wish him well. We thank you for your concern,” the station added in a statement at the time.

As reported by The Washington Post, Harris joined WRC in 2017 after spending 13 years at ABC affiliate WJLA, also in D.C. The newspaper noted that the anchor has publicly spoken about his battles with alcohol following his DUI arrests in 2013 and 2022.

In March 2022, Harris addressed his audience during a broadcast following his January arrest that same year, radio station WTOP reported.

“I let a lot of people down, and that is why I decided to go on my own to take some time to reflect, and do some intensive work on myself with some very, very tough professionals to get control of this disease of alcoholism,” he said at the time.

“I’ve learned that this problem is treatable, and that it is possible to embrace recovery and sobriety, and with the help of my family, friends and professional advisers, have sought some help now to do just that,” Harris added.

Following his January 2022 arrest, WRC removed Harris from his anchoring duties and later reinstated him. In June of that year, Harris was sentenced by a judge to one year with all but 10 days suspended. He was also sentenced for three years probation.

In July 2022, Harris also spoke about his DUI conviction in an interview with WRC.

“For all the people who I let down and disappointed…I cannot tell you how sorry I am,” he said in the interview. “But I will try to show you that I deserve a shot at earning your trust and respect again.”