Emmy-winning tv anchor Leon Harris is taking a medical go away of absence following a viral broadcast over Thanksgiving weekend wherein he “appeared unwell” and spiked viewer concern, NBC4 Washington introduced right now.
“We have an replace to share with you about our colleague, Leon Harris,” the assertion started. “Last week, Leon appeared unwell whereas anchoring News4 at 6. Leon will probably be stepping away from the anchor desk to give attention to well being points.”
News stories and viral social media posts started Nov. 28 following the 6 p.m. broadcast, throughout which Harris appeared to slur his phrases, wrestle with pronunciation and miss the ends of sentences. Many on-line remarked that the telecast was troublesome to observe given Harris’ clear confusion and stable repute as a veteran reporter.
“We’ve heard so much from a few of you thru telephone and electronic mail throughout this newscast,” weatherman Ryan Miller mentioned on the time, after Harris was taken off-air minutes after commencing the report. “We need to guarantee you that our colleague, Leon Harris, is okay. The News4 Team appreciates your concern.”
A distinguished journalist who has garnered greater than a dozen native Emmys for his work, Harris has lined every thing from the 1992 Los Angeles riots to the Sept. 11 Twin Tower bombings. An area information fixture, the previous CNN anchor ultimately joined NBC4 in 2017 after logging over a decade on the ABC-affiliated WJLA, per the Washington Post.
In September, Harris briefly stepped away from his position to recuperate from surgical procedure after breaking his foot throughout a fall at his house. In 2013, he was recognized with necrotizing pancreatitis, a life-threatening complication that led him to be hospitalized for weeks in an intensive care unit. The reporter has additionally been candid about his alcohol dependancy and sobriety journey following two DUI arrests that very same 12 months and in 2022, respectively.
“We right here at NBC4 — and also you at house — care deeply about Leon and want him nicely. We thanks to your concern,” the corporate assertion concluded.
