AN NBC morning show anchor has unexpectedly announced his departure live on air.

Slamming “sanitized news” in his shock statement, Dustin Nolan of Iowa affiliate KWQC didn’t hold back as he stepped down after four years at the station.

The local news anchor announced he would be leaving his job during a live broadcast on Friday.

Speaking on air, Dustin, who is an Emmy Award-winning journalist, said: “I’ll try to get through this.

“Well, before we go this morning, I have an announcement.

“Today is my last day here at KWQC TV6.

“I have chosen to step away from the news industry.

“Before I say goodbye, I just want to say, I hope every one of you that’s allowed me to be a part of your mornings know just how important that I have taken this job.”

Tearing up, Dustin explained he was so grateful for how viewers have trusted him and supported him over the years.

Although he did not give his reasons for his departure, Dustin did make a subtle swipe.

Within his speech, he emphasized the importance of delivering more than “sanitized news” to the public.

“When it comes to this job, all I’ve ever wanted to do is report on the issues that really matter,” he said.

“I’ve always believed that we as a local news station, owe you, the viewers, the best that we can do because without you, none of us would be able to do this job.

“I also believe that we as a local news station have to be more than trends or sanitized news because it makes people feel uncomfortable.

“That’s why the facts matter and that’s why we do what we do here. We have to take people out of their bubbles and comfort zones and make them think about the world we all live in.”

Dustin has worked for KWQC since 2022.

His wife is Jenna Jackson, who was also his morning news co-anchor on KWQC.

The couple, who share two kids, co-anchored the Quad Cities Today morning broadcast together for KWQC in Davenport, Iowa.

As a couple, they won a Mid-America Emmy Award in 2025 for the Best Morning/Daytime Newscast in the small-to-medium market category.

This news comes on the heels of another local news anchor shockingly quitting this week.

2 comments2