NBC4 Washington news anchor Leon Harris will be taking time away from the anchor desk to focus on his health after struggling during a broadcast on Thanksgiving.
Harris appeared to struggle with his speech during the November 28 broadcast, slurring and stumbling over the words. Harris was taken off air minutes into the broadcast.
“Last week, Leon appeared unwell while anchoring News4 at 6. Leon will be stepping away from the anchor desk to focus on health issues,” the station said in a statement on Monday.
“We here at NBC4 — and you at home — care deeply about Leon and wish him well. We thank you for your concern,” NBC4 said.
The station did not elaborate on Harris’s health issues, and it is not clear how long he will be away.
Harris had a case of necrotizing pancreatitis in 2013, and he has been vocal about his struggles with alcoholism in the past following DUI arrests in 2013 and 2022, The Washington Post reported.
Harris anchors News4 at 4 and News4 at 5. He has been a reporter in the DC area since 2003, according to NBC4. Prior to joining NBC4, he worked at WJLA-TV for 14 years, following 21 years at CNN in Atlanta. He has won more than 12 Local Emmy Awards.
Feature image of Leon Harris courtesy NBC4
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