Local NBC anchor Leon Harris sparks health concerns after stumbling through Thanksgiving broadcast

NBC4 Washington anchor Leon Harris struggled to get through his words during the network’s Thanksgiving night broadcast – sparking concerns that he was having a medical episode or under the influence.The 63-year-old broadcast journalist — who joined NBC4 in Washington, DC in 2017 after more than 20 years as an anchor at CNN — stumbled over his words and spoke incoherently during the evening news, as seen in a clip posted to X.Harris was reporting on a water main break near Washington, DC and the arrest of four individuals connected to the vandalization of an American Israel Public Affairs Committee building.Viewers were quick to take to social media with their concerns that the news anchor was suffering a medical emergency.Some social media users even speculated that Harris — who served jail time in 2022 after driving under the influence, crashing into a car and attempting to flee the scene — was relapsing.NBC did not immediately respond to a request for comment.After Harris’ shaky news delivery, the network cut to a weather segment during its 6 p.m.

newscast, with no news from the anchor desk for at least 20 minutes, according to journalists posting on X during the live broadcast.NBC4 meteorologist Ryan Miller told viewers that the network had received “a lot” of concern and calls from worried fans.“We want to assure you that our colleague Leon Harris is fine,” Miller said.Lee Sanders, a podcaster and voice actor, called for NBC to “check on” Harris in a post on X. “Check your guy! Pray he hasn’t relapsed again or dealing w/ addiction off of that foot injury,” Sanders wrote Thursday night.“Pull him & get him some help!”Sanders said the newscast was cut short after 35 minutes, instead of the planned hour.Chris Williamson, a sportscaster, called the Thanksgiving newscast “hard to watch” and said he hoped Harris was OK.Harris served 10 days in jail in 2022 after he crashed into another car while driving under the influenc...