Iowa KWQC morning anchor Dustin Nolan announced his departure from the station Friday in an emotional message that made clear he does not intend to remain in the news industry.
While he expressed excitement for his unnamed “next chapter,” Nolan also expressed remorse for the career pivot and told viewers he believes “that we as a local news station have to be more than trends or sanitized news,” adding, “That’s why the facts matter and that’s why we do what we do here.”
Nolan was near tears from the beginning of his message.
“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,” the Emmy Award winning anchor began. “Before I say goodbye, I just want to say, I hope everyone of you that’s allowed me to be a part of your mornings know just how important that I have taken this job. How much it means to me that you’ve trusted … that you’ve trusted me these past few years to bring you the news in the morning.”
Watch the full sign-off below:
He continued: “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. I’ve loved being able to provide a public service to this place we all call home, the Quad Cities.”
Nolan then made it clear he wasn’t leaving to pursue a role at another station.
“When it comes to this job, all I’ve ever wanted to do is report on the issues that really matter. 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,” he explained. “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.”
Nolan began working at the station in November 2022, according to his LinkedIn. profile. He is married to his former co-anchor, Jenna, whom he thanked on the show.
The former anchor later addressed his viral exit in a social media post Monday, clarifying that despite widespread reports triggered by a viral X post, TheWrap covered Sunday, saying “he’s quitting both the station and the news industry,” citing “sanitized news,” he had resigned “months ago” and his next steps after leaving the news industry were kept intentionally “vague.” He disparaged news reports indicating that his resignation was in protest for the journalistic ideals he emphasized should be safeguarded.
“To the publications that posted this story without asking for context and those who grasped at straws to create a storyline that simply isn’t there, you’re part of the problem,” he wrote. “To those who may be disappointed to hear that this wasn’t an anchor taking a stand against the industry, I hope you know that local journalists are working hard every day to be the difference in the industry. Our world need strong journalists now more than ever. I wanted you to know that that’s been my goal from the beginning.”
Editor’s Note: This story has been updated to reflect Nolan’s Monday statement and update TheWrap’s language around his resignation.
