NBC5 anchor Meredith Land will be stepping away from 10 p.m. weeknight newscasts in pursuit of better family ties (updated)

NBC5 anchor Meredith Land posted this photo Friday on social media.

By ED BARK
@unclebarkycom on Twitter
Veteran NBC5 anchor Meredith Land, in pursuit of a better “work-life balance,” will be stepping away from the D-FW’s station’s 10 p.m. weeknight newscasts, but remain behind the desk at 5 and 6 p.m.

It will be a while yet, though. The station announced Friday that her “final” 10 p.m. newscast, after nine years in the saddle, will be on Nov. 27th after that month’s ratings “sweeps” period ends.

“It was not an easy decision for me to leave the 10 o’clock newscast,” Land said in a statement. “Reporting and sharing the news is something I’m very passionate about. I’m also passionate about family, and at this point in my life, I look forward to spending evenings in real time with my young children -- not just via FaceTime.”

Land, who has co-anchored 10 p.m. newscasts with Brian Curtis, also thanked NBC5 for “their support in my desire to strike a balance between my two loves. The station has been absolutely wonderful and so encouraging in their commitment to make this work.”

NBC5 president and general manager Tom Ehlmann, said he’s “pleased” that Land will remain at the station while also striving to “get the balance she needs to spend more time with her family.”

Land noted that besides anchoring the 5 and 6 p.m. newscasts, she’ll remain in the station’s “digital news space, where I report the news as it happens. “I’m super excited about amplifying my online presence as I know many of our viewers rely on their social media channels for news and information.”

NBC5’s news release did not address who will be succeeding Land on the 10 p.m. editions. Station spokesman Brian Hocker, responding to an inquiry, said, “We are working on determining a replacement for Meredith at 10 p.m.”

A possible prime candidate is NBC5 anchor/reporter Kristi Nelson, who previously had been part of a three-anchor team at 10 p.m. but has been on a long leave of absence. Replying to unclebarky.com on Aug. 14th, Nelson said there’s “absolutely nothing to worry about! I’m still with NBC5 and taking some time off to spend with family. I will return! It’s good to know that people are concerned about me. I appreciate it.”

Nelson has been with the station for two decades, and in August 2011 donated a kidney to her mother and went public in a multi-part NBC5 series titled “Kristi’s Gift.”

Regarding Nelson’s future with NBC5, Hocker said, “There is no change in Kristi’s status from what you’ve cited.”

Land joined NBC5 in 2003 and replaced Jane McGarry in February 2010 as the station’s 10 p.m. co-anchor. McGarry, who was reassigned to the 5 and 6 p.m. weekday newscasts, resigned from NBC5 in July 2012 after pleading no contest to a driving while intoxicated charge and apologizing for “my irresponsible behavior.”

McGarry, who spent 30 years at NBC5, has been co-hosting WFAA8’s Good Morning Texas show since March 2015 after earlier contributing reports titled “Starting Over.”

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