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Leon Harris
Leon Harris
Leon Harris
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Leon Harris (born April 20, 1961) is an American journalist and newscaster, most recently with NBC owned-and-operated WRC-TV in Washington, D.C. Harris formerly anchored at CNN headquarters in Atlanta, and at Washington, D.C. ABC affiliate WJLA-TV.

Key Information

Early life and education

[edit]

Harris graduated from Buchtel High School in 1979, and earned a National Merit Scholarship to Ohio University, where he met his wife, Dawn Lomax, whose family is also from Akron. Harris graduated cum laude from Ohio University in 1983, majoring in communications. He received an honorary Doctorate from the university in 1999.[1]

Career

[edit]

Harris started his career at CNN's world headquarters in Atlanta in the early 1980s as an unpaid intern while completing his degree. Following graduation in 1983, Harris started as an entry-level video journalist and later moved up to assistant director of the satellite department as an operator and coordinator. In that position, he oversaw and negotiated international and domestic satellite services used to cover new events, including the Persian Gulf War and President Ronald Reagan and President George H. W. Bush's international trips and summits.[2]

Harris auditioned for an anchor position during summer 1991; a few months later he was given a full-time anchor post. Harris received numerous awards at CNN, including several Emmy Awards for his coverage of the 2000 presidential election, the Oklahoma City bombing and the September 11th attacks. However, as competition increased from Fox News, and CNN veterans such as Natalie Allen and Lou Waters were pink-slipped in favor of Paula Zahn and Aaron Brown, Harris felt less comfortable. His last position held at CNN was co-anchor of CNN Live Today with Daryn Kagan.

In July 2003, Harris signed a deal with the Washington, D.C. ABC affiliate WJLA-TV to anchor that station's 5 o'clock and 11 o'clock newscasts. He started his new post on October 28.[3] In 2006, Harris received the 2006 local Emmy award for Best Anchor.[4] On September 2, 2016, WJLA declined to renew his contract and his tenure at the station ended in October of that year.[5]

In 2013, Harris was profiled for surviving two brushes with death, due to necrotizing pancreatitis.[6]

In April 2017, NBC owned-and-operated station WRC-TV in Washington, D.C. announced that Leon Harris would join its news team on April 21.[7] He currently co-anchors News 4 at 4 alongside Eun Yang and reports for News 4 at 11.

In December 2024, NBC4 Washington announced that Harris was taking a medical leave of absence following two nights of broadcast during which he appeared unwell. In a statement, the station noted, "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 announcement followed public attention and reports highlighting Harris's challenges with speech during the November 28 broadcast.[8]

On April 8, 2025, NBC4 Washington announced that Harris would leave the station. He was quoted as saying, "Many of you have kindly asked about me over the past few months. 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. I'm grateful to NBC4 for having me as part of their team for the last eight years. This is the right time to prioritize my health and family. 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."[9]

Personal life

[edit]

Harris was born to Leon Sr. and Lorrene Harris in Akron, Ohio. He has three brothers: Marcus, Jerry, and James who still reside in Akron; and a sister, Kimberly, who lives in Houston.

Harris currently lives in Avenel, Potomac, Maryland, with his wife Dawn, a nurse at a local hospital. Leon's son Darren (a graduate of Bucknell University) lives in Seattle, WA while his daughter Lauren (a graduate of Temple University) is an early childhood educator who lives in Atlanta, GA.

In 2013, Harris was charged with driving under the influence in Montgomery County, Maryland, to which he pleaded guilty. He received probation before judgment and served six months' probation, ending in September 2014.[10][11]

On January 29, 2022, Harris was arrested and charged with driving under the influence following a crash in Montgomery County.[12] He was off the air for over a month amid an investigation, before returning in mid-March.[11][13] In June 2022, he was sentenced to one year in jail, with all but ten days suspended; three years of supervised probation; and the use of an interlock device on his vehicle.[14]

References

[edit]
[edit]
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Leon Harris

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Leon Harris (born April 20, 1961) is an American former news and with over three decades in . Harris began his career at in in 1983 as an intern and technical roles before becoming an in 1991, remaining with the network for 21 years until 2003, where he co-anchored programs such as CNN Live Today. During his tenure, he covered major events including the trial, the , and the terrorist attacks. In 2003, Harris joined , an ABC affiliate in , as an anchor for 14 years, followed by a move to NBC-owned (NBC4) in 2017, where he anchored News4 at 4 and News4 at 5. He earned multiple local , including two for Best Local News Anchor, and a National Cable Ace Award. Harris's career faced setbacks due to , including a 2013 DUI charge resulting in and a 2022 following a three-car collision, to which he pleaded guilty and received a sentence of one year in jail (served partially) and three years . In November 2024, during an NBC4 broadcast, Harris appeared visibly impaired, stumbling over words while reporting, which went viral and prompted his medical leave; he departed the station in April 2025 and has since discussed his recovery and sobriety in interviews.

Early life and education

Upbringing in Ohio

Leon Harris was born on April 20, 1961, in Akron, Ohio, to parents Leon Sr. and Lorrene Harris. He grew up as the second of five children in the scrappy west side of Akron, a working-class area known for its industrial roots and community challenges. His siblings included brothers Marcus, Jerry, and J.J., as well as sister Kimberly; his mother later married stepfather David Maddox, with much of the extended family remaining in Akron into adulthood. Harris's early years in neighborhoods like Summit Lake emphasized family ties and local resilience, as later reflected in discussions with his brother Jerry about their shared upbringing amid Akron's economic landscape tied to and blue-collar life. This environment, marked by modest means and interdependence, shaped his perspective before broader opportunities emerged, though specific childhood anecdotes beyond familial structure remain limited in .

Academic pursuits and early influences

Harris attended as a National Merit Scholar, reflecting his strong academic performance in high school. In 1979, as a high school student, he participated in the Foundation's civic education program in , which exposed participants to government processes and national issues, potentially fostering an early interest in public affairs and media. At , Harris pursued a in communications, graduating cum laude in 1983. His studies emphasized skills relevant to , aligning with his developing passion for journalism. The university's E.W. Scripps School of Journalism provided a foundation in reporting and media production, though specific coursework details are not publicly detailed in primary records. Harris's early career trajectory was influenced by his academic achievements and self-directed interest in television, leading directly to a CNN internship post-graduation. This hands-on exposure during his university years underscored a practical orientation, prioritizing technical and on-air skills over theoretical pursuits. In recognition of his later contributions, Ohio University awarded him an honorary doctorate in 1999.

Broadcasting career

Entry into journalism at CNN

Harris joined CNN in 1983 as an unpaid intern at its Atlanta headquarters while completing his bachelor's degree in communication at Ohio University. Following his graduation that year, he transitioned to a full-time entry-level role as a video journalist. Initially focused on behind-the-scenes technical work, Harris advanced to in CNN's satellite department, where he operated and coordinated international and domestic feeds for live events, including presidential trips and the Persian Gulf War coverage. His early responsibilities also included researcher and editor duties, building expertise in news logistics and global connectivity. In May 1992, Harris entered on-air journalism at by substituting as anchor for a pilot program, demonstrating poise that caught the attention of network vice presidents and securing him a co-anchor position. This shift leveraged his technical knowledge, communication skills, and familiarity with international stories to deliver live reporting on .

Transition to local news at

In September 2003, after two decades at headquarters in , Leon Harris announced his departure from the network to join , the ABC affiliate in , as co-anchor of the station's weekday 5 p.m., 6 p.m., and 11 p.m. newscasts. The move followed a period of organizational changes at , including anchor shake-ups, though Harris cited a desire for a shift toward local as part of his decision. He began his tenure at in late October 2003, debuting on air on October 31 with a composed delivery that drew on his national experience without disrupting the local market's dynamics. Harris's transition marked a pivot from high-profile national and international coverage—such as anchoring CNN's morning programs and events like the trial and —to community-focused reporting in the nation's capital. At WJLA, he partnered with veteran anchors, contributing to the station's emphasis on evening news slots that emphasized detailed local stories alongside national feeds from ABC. This role leveraged his polished on-air presence, honed over years at CNN, to build viewer familiarity in the competitive Washington media landscape. The shift to local news allowed Harris greater proximity to policy and political developments in D.C., aligning with WJLA's strategy to attract experienced talent from national outlets amid efforts to strengthen its news team. Over the initial years, he anchored consistently through major local events, establishing himself as a steady presence before eventual changes in station leadership and his later career moves.

Role at NBC4 Washington and major assignments

Harris joined NBC4 Washington (WRC-TV), the in , in April 2017 following 14 years at rival ABC affiliate . Initially, he anchored the weekend editions of News4 at 6 and News4 at 11 alongside Erika Gonzalez, while contributing reports to weekday newscasts on major stories. His responsibilities expanded to include primary anchoring duties for News4 at 4 and News4 at 5 during weekdays, as well as co-anchoring News4 at 4 with and providing field reporting for News4 at 11. Throughout his eight-year tenure ending in 2025, Harris focused on delivering local and regional coverage, emphasizing breaking developments in the nation's capital. Among his major assignments, Harris anchored live coverage of pivotal events, including the January 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol riot, providing on-air guidance during the unfolding crisis. His work centered on political reporting, public safety incidents, and community issues in the D.C. metropolitan area, drawing on his prior national experience to contextualize local impacts.

Professional exit and reflections

On April 8, 2025, Leon Harris announced his departure from NBC4 Washington (), where he had anchored since 2017, stating that after more than 40 years in and amid significant industry transformations, he was stepping away to prioritize his health and family. This followed a four-month that began in late November 2024, after a Thanksgiving evening broadcast during which Harris struggled with slurred speech and difficulty articulating words, prompting viewer concerns and station intervention. Harris later reflected on the incident in a May 2025 podcast interview, attributing it to a in his long-term battle with ; he admitted to consuming "a couple glasses of wine" beforehand, unaware of his impaired state until reviewing the footage, which he described as a moment that "sealed" the end of his on-air career. This event echoed prior professional repercussions, including his 2022 removal from anchoring duties at NBC4 following a DUI that resulted in a 10-day jail sentence. In reflections shared publicly, Harris emphasized the personal and domestic fallout, expressing gratitude for support during recovery while acknowledging the broadcasting demands that exacerbated his challenges. Harris characterized his exit as timely, given the shift toward and reduced traditional TV viability, allowing him to focus on sobriety and non-broadcast pursuits after decades at outlets including and . He has since engaged in for recovery, framing his departure not as defeat but as a pivot informed by hard-earned .

Personal life and challenges

Marriage and family

Harris married Dawn Lomax, whom he met while both were students at , where they became college sweethearts. The couple has two adult children: a son named Darren and a daughter named . Dawn Harris works as a nurse, while their daughter pursues a career as an educator. As of 2025, Harris and his family reside in a suburb of , Georgia.

Health issues and alcoholism recovery

In 2013, Harris was diagnosed with necrotizing , a severe and life-threatening inflammation of the that caused tissue death and required intensive care for two weeks followed by extended hospitalization. He returned to anchoring at in September 2013 after recovery, though the condition left lasting health impacts. Harris has publicly acknowledged a long-term struggle with , including multiple arrests for and prior rehabilitation attempts. This culminated in a November 28, 2024, incident during a Thanksgiving newscast at NBC4 Washington, where he admitted to consuming alcohol between segments, resulting in impaired on-air performance that drew viewer complaints and station scrutiny. Following the broadcast, Harris entered rehabilitation to address his , describing it as an ongoing battle he had underestimated in severity. He departed NBC4 in April 2025, citing health reasons, and by August 2025 reported for nearly a year, attending three hours of daily therapy while committing to and recovery. In interviews, Harris emphasized personal accountability, stating he had not fully grasped his addiction's depth prior to the event.

Recognition and legacy

Awards and professional accolades

Harris earned two National CableACE Awards for Best Anchor during his time at CNN, specifically in the 17th and 19th annual ceremonies. He also received the Louis R. Lautier Memorial Award, recognizing meritorious contributions to journalism by African American reporters. In his local Washington, D.C., broadcasting roles at WJLA-TV and NBC4 Washington, Harris accumulated more than a dozen regional Emmy Awards for reporting and anchoring, including two for Best Local News Anchor. These accolades highlighted his on-air performance and coverage of significant events in the region. Additional honors include the 2014 Community Champion Award from an organization supporting youth programs, acknowledging his community involvement alongside journalistic achievements.

Impact on broadcast journalism

Harris anchored live coverage of pivotal events at , including the 1995 , contributing to the network's Emmy Award-winning reporting on the attack that killed 168 people. His role as a primary "cut-in" involved delivering urgent interruptions to regular programming, a technique that prioritized real-time information dissemination during crises like the O.J. Simpson trial and the , 2001, attacks. This approach exemplified 's emphasis on immediacy, though Harris later reflected that it limited opportunities for in-depth field reporting, such as his denied request to cover the . Transitioning to local affiliates WJLA-TV and NBC4 Washington, Harris anchored evening newscasts from 2007 onward, focusing on regional stories while maintaining national credibility from his CNN tenure. He earned more than a dozen local Emmy Awards, including two for Best Local News Anchor, recognizing his delivery in high-stakes broadcasts that informed D.C.-area audiences on politics, crime, and weather events. These accolades underscored his consistency in a competitive market, where viewer trust hinged on clear, professional presentation amid 24-hour news cycles. Harris's 2024 on-air struggles at NBC4, later attributed to an , and his April 2025 resignation highlighted vulnerabilities in broadcast standards for performer fitness. In public disclosures, he described the incident—marked by slurred speech during a broadcast—as a after years of , prompting station intervention and his exit after 40 years in the industry. This episode fueled industry conversations on screening and support, given the demands of where impairment risks public . Post-retirement, Harris has leveraged his experience as a and podcaster, launching the "Road to Recovery Scholarship" on October 7, 2025, to aid students recovering from personal adversities like . By sharing his journey—rooted in a 2007 DUI and subsequent rehab— he models , potentially influencing journalistic on transparency about personal failings that affect professional reliability. His narrative contrasts with tendencies in media to conceal such issues, advocating for recovery as a path to renewed rather than career-ending stigma.

References

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  3. https://www.linkedin.com/in/leon-harris-095b0214
  4. https://nypost.com/2025/05/15/media/ex-nbc-anchor-leon-harris-who-went-viral-for-shaky-news-segment-before-resignation-admits-months-later-he-was-boozed-up/
  5. https://realleonharris.com/
  6. https://www.allamericanspeakers.com/celebritytalentbios/Leon%2BHarris/457704
  7. https://www.nbc.com/nbc-insider/why-leon-harris-leaving-nbc4
  8. https://wtop.com/montgomery-county/2022/02/nbc-washingtons-harris-charged-with-6-misdemeanors-including-dui/
  9. https://wtop.com/tv/2025/05/i-had-no-idea-that-i-was-that-far-gone-leon-harris-opens-up-about-incident-that-ended-his-tv-career/
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