News anchor Dustin Nolan emotionally announced his resignation from KWQC live on-air this week, adding that he’s leaving journalism completely.
“I’ll try to get through this… Well, before we go this morning, I have an announcement,” the Iowa local began.
“Today is my last day here at KWQC 6. I have chosen to step away from the news industry.”
Nolan continued earnestly, “Before I say goodbye, I just want to say, I hope every one of you who that’s allowed me to be part of your mornings know just how important that I have taken this job, how much it means to me that you have trusted me these past few years to bring you the news in the morning.
“I promise you I’ve given you everything I have.
“I’ve never tried to be perfect or what many think a newsman is supposed to be. But I’ve always done my best to be transparent, bring you the facts, and I’ve always been myself.”
Making it clear he took his role of presenting information to the audience seriously, Nolan added, “When it comes to this job, all I’ve ever wanted to do is report on the issues that really matter.
“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.”
@kwqc.newsKWQC TV6 morning anchor Dustin Nolan announced on-air Friday that he’s leaving the station and stepping away from the news industry. Nolan thanked viewers for welcoming him into their mornings and said he’s worked to be transparent and deliver the facts, calling local news a public service to the Quad Cities. He also reflected on the importance of covering issues that matter, even when uncomfortable, and credited his wife Jenna—his co-anchor on the desk and “co-anchor in life”—along with other colleagues for their support. Nolan closed with a final sign-off to viewers: “Good day and goodbye.” #quadcities #iowanews #anchorsignoff #emotionalgoodbye #kwqc #local #news #dustinnolan #gooddayandgoodbye♬ original sound – KWQC News
“And this is a bittersweet goodbye. Yes, I’m looking forward to my next chapter in life, but it’s not easy to say goodbye,” Nolan finally concluded.
Sweetly, the anchor explained that the “hardest part” of leaving would be not working with his co-anchor wife Jenna Jackson.
“Because she isn’t just the greatest co-anchor on the news desk, but she is the greatest co-anchor in life as well. And if you don’t have a Jenna in your life, I suggest you find one, because she makes dreams come true in every way another human can.”
Last October, Nolan and Jackson won a local Emmy Award for their coverage of the Davenport Hotel partial collapse on May 28, 2023 in Davenport, Iowa, which killed three people.
Main image: Dustin Nolan quits live on air. Image: TikTok