Iowa news anchor quits live on-air in emotional plea for facts over 'sanitized news'

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Local Iowa news anchor Dustin Nolan announced he would be leaving his job at KWQC TV6 during a live broadcast on Friday.

“I’ll try to get through this,” Nolan said. “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. Before I say goodbye, I just want to say, I hope every one of you that’s allowed me to be a part of your mornings know just how important that I have taken this job.”

He began to tear up as he described feeling grateful for how viewers have trusted him during his years at the station and how he has pushed to be as transparent as possible.

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Dustin Nolan gave his final broadcast on KWQC-TV6 on Friday (KWQC-TV6/Screenshot)

Nolan did not explain his reasons for leaving but emphasized the importance of delivering more than “sanitized news” to the public.

“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,” Nolan said.

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He added, “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.”

KWQC TV6 is an NBC affiliate in Iowa. (Pavlo Gonchar/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Nolan also thanked his co-worker and wife Jenna Jackson for their work together at the station.

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Fox News Digital reached out to KWQC TV6 for comment.

Nolan has worked for KWQC TV6, an NBC-affiliate organization, since 2022. He and his wife previously took home a Mid-America Emmy in 2025 for Best Morning/Daytime newscast in the medium and small market category.