NBC Washington’s Leon Harris is “stepping away from the anchor desk” to focus on health, the station says

NBC Washington announced Monday that Leon Harris is “stepping away from the anchor desk to focus on health issues.”

NBC Washington announced Monday that anchor Leon Harris is “stepping away from the anchor desk to focus on health issues.”

Below is the station’s full statement:

An update about our colleague Leon Harris. pic.twitter.com/dzUEe96Qa4

— NBC4 Washington (@nbcwashington) December 2, 2024

The announcement comes after Harris appeared unwell during a 6 p.m. newscast on Thanksgiving Day. Some viewers noticed and posted on social media, expressing concern that the presenter could be in a medical emergency after stumbling over his words several times.

“We here at NBC4 – and you at home – care deeply about Leon and wish him the best,” the station wrote. “We thank you for your concern.”

It is unclear at this time whether the move is permanent or temporary.

Harris has been anchoring local news in the DC area for 20 years. He anchored 7News’ evening newscasts for many years before joining the NBC Washington team in April 2017.

He had previously temporarily left his job at NBC4 after being convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol. He was sentenced to ten days in jail and three years of supervised probation.

Before returning to the anchor desk in July 2022, Harris spoke about his struggles with sobriety during an interview with his colleague Doreen Gentzler.

“In my condition, I could have killed someone,” Harris told Gentzler. “I was actually more disabled than I thought.”

Watch Monday’s announcement below:

WTOP has reached out to NBC Washington for more details.

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