Joseph Olmo, an NBC News anchor who has covered the Washington D.C. region for nearly a decade, announced his sudden departure live on air during Sunday evening's newscast. Olmo, who has been with NBC Washington and its local Telemundo affiliate for the past three years, stated that he was reporting "one more story" for his viewers.
"For the better part of a decade, which includes three thrilling years right here at NBC 4, I have had one remarkable job," Olmo said during the broadcast. "After almost 10 years in broadcasting, tomorrow night I will hit the streets of the DMV one final time as a local news reporter."
While Olmo did not explicitly state his reasons for leaving, he expressed a deep appreciation for his career as a traveling reporter. "You can cover the world, but nothing compares to being a local news reporter. Because think about it. Who else would tell you about all the things happening where we live?" he reflected. A native of Annapolis, Maryland, Olmo added, "To watch all these moments in person and then share what I see with you has been so cool."
In an Instagram post featuring a video of his televised resignation, Olmo cited various aspects of his reporting experience, including "Metro stations. Airport terminals. Beltways & highways. The National Mall & Montgomery Mall… and everything in between!"
Olmo hinted that his next chapter would involve something different, suggesting a desire to explore multiple aspirations. "In life, you are often encouraged to dream big. But what happens when you have several dreams? I firmly believe our time here is way too short to get to the end and wonder what if I had tried that?" he stated. He also indicated in his Instagram post that he would be "staying right here at home" and that his "next chapter won't be much of a surprise."
He expressed gratitude to his colleagues and viewers, emphasizing the collaborative nature of broadcast journalism. "Whenever you watch us on TV or online, remember one means many. You may see one person on at a time, but there are hundreds of people who get us here,” Olmo said. "And to my entire NBC 4 family, I say thank you for letting me be part of this accomplished team. And to everybody who watches us, thank you."
Olmo previously worked at DC News Now for three years and also served as a freelance journalist before joining NBC Washington. Viewers expressed their disappointment on social media, with one commenter noting on Instagram, "No, no, no!!!! I am seriously going to miss seeing you on Sunday nights and in your special reports. You brought such an excitement and life to your reporting that made us excited and interested too."
