Los Angeles’ KABC7 is dropping Ellen Leyva, because the information anchor is retiring from the ABC affiliate after 29 years.
The on-air character made the information official Monday, addressing viewers in the course of the native 3 p.m. broadcast.
“After a lot contemplation and introspection, I do know I’m able to make a transfer on and deal with my subsequent nice journey in life,” Leyva mentioned on air.
Leyva known as ABC7 her “residence away from residence,” including, “I couldn’t have requested for a extra rewarding profession with one of the best individuals in one of the best metropolis on the earth.”
The choice to go away was one thing Leyva mentioned she had “been interested by for a very long time” and is “really excited for what’s subsequent.”
Leyva famous that she would proceed at KABC “for a couple of extra months,” including, “I’m trying ahead to discovering as many alternatives to say goodbye to as lots of you as doable. I simply wish to thanks for welcoming me into your residing rooms since 1995.”
KABC president and basic supervisor Wendy Granato emailed employees right now informing them of Leyva’s choice to go away.
“To say that she has been a useful and really treasured member of our Eyewitness Information staff is an understatement,” Granato mentioned within the memo.
She continued, “A mainstay in individuals’s residing rooms every evening, she is well probably the most liked and trusted information anchors in Southern California, and I do know she will probably be missed.”
Right here’s Levya’s full message to viewers:
“Now, for some private, bittersweet information for me. I’ve been at KABC for nearly 3 a long time, and I’ve been so lucky! This station, everybody who works right here and all of you’re really my residence away from residence. I couldn’t have requested for a extra rewarding profession with one of the best individuals in one of the best metropolis on the earth. However, after a lot contemplation and introspection, I do know I’m able to make a transfer on and deal with my subsequent nice journey in life. Whereas this isn’t straightforward, it’s one thing I’ve been interested by for a very long time, and I’m really excited for what’s subsequent. I’ll be right here for a couple of extra months, so that you aren’t eliminating me simply but. And naturally, I’m trying ahead to discovering as many alternatives to say goodbye to as lots of you as doable. I simply wish to thanks for welcoming me into your residing rooms since 1995.”
Right here’s Granato’s electronic mail to employees:
Workforce –
I’ve some bittersweet information to share with you. After 29 unimaginable years, our beloved Ellen Leyva has determined to retire. That is information Ellen will probably be sharing with our viewers in her newscasts right now, beginning with the three p.m.
To say that she has been a useful and really treasured member of our Eyewitness Information staff is an understatement. She joined the KABC household in 1995 as a well being reporter earlier than shortly making her manner as much as the anchor desk. Her reporting has taken her to the best heights – flying with the Blue Angels, co-hosting the Oscars purple carpet arrivals with the good Roger Ebert, and standing within the OR with Dr. Oz as he carried out a double-bypass, simply to call a couple of. Ellen was inducted into the Walter Cronkite College of Broadcast Journalism’s Corridor of Fame in 2006 and is the recipient of an Affect Award for Excellence in Tv from the Nationwide Hispanic Media Coalition. Her contributions to the group are limitless. Most notably, serving as ABC7 staff chief for AIDS Stroll Los Angeles, being entrance and heart of our Satisfaction Parade, advocating for psychological well being companies for underserved communities, and championing to assist rescue canine discover their ceaselessly houses.
However after all, viewers know her finest because the lengthy operating co-anchor of our late afternoon and night newscasts. A mainstay in individuals’s residing rooms every evening, she is well probably the most liked and trusted information anchors in Southern California, and I do know she will probably be missed.
There’s a lot extra to say about her many accomplishments, however Ellen isn’t leaving anytime quickly so belief me once I say we are going to discover many alternatives over the following few months to rejoice and honor her.
Once more, I can’t say sufficient about what a professional Ellen is and the way a lot I’ve loved working together with her within the time I’ve been right here. And, whereas that is unhappy information for us, I understand how excited she is to embrace life’s subsequent large journey. And for that, I’m thrilled for her and want her Stephen, Charli, Emma and Aubrey a lot love, laughter and happiness.
Finest, Wendy