The Mass Exodus: 5 Legendary ABC 7 News Anchors Who Recently Quit Or Retired And The Real Reason Why

The landscape of local television news is undergoing a seismic shift, and nowhere is this more apparent than at the various ABC 7 affiliates across the country. As of today, December 18, 2025, viewers in major markets like Los Angeles, Chicago, and the Bay Area have been stunned by a continuous wave of announcements as some of the network’s most beloved and long-tenured anchors have chosen to quit, step away, or retire from their decades-long posts. This recent exodus has sparked intense curiosity and speculation among the public: why are so many familiar faces suddenly disappearing from the anchor desk?

The departures—many of which are retirements after 30+ years—represent a significant generational change in local broadcasting, signaling a broader industry trend far beyond any single station. While the official reasons often cite a desire for a "next chapter" or "more time with family," the cumulative effect of these exits points to a deeper transformation in the business of local news, driven by digital disruption and corporate restructuring.

The Titans of Television: Biographical Profiles of Key ABC 7 Departures

The recent exits at ABC 7 are notable not just for their number, but for the sheer collective experience walking out the door. These individuals were not just anchors; they were community institutions, often serving their cities for three to four decades. Their departures mark the end of an era for local news.

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Leslie Sykes (KABC-TV, ABC7 Los Angeles)

• Role: Longtime Morning News Anchor, Reporter.
• ABC 7 Tenure: Over three decades. She joined KABC-TV in 1994.
• Departure Status: Retirement.
• Career Highlights: Sykes was a staple of the Los Angeles morning news, known for her steady presence and deep connection to the community. Her career began in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, before she became one of L.A.’s most recognizable morning personalities. Her final sign-off was a highly emotional event for both her colleagues and viewers.

Ellen Leyva (KABC-TV, ABC7 Los Angeles)

• Role: Eyewitness News Anchor (4 p.m. and 6 p.m.).
• ABC 7 Tenure: Nearly 30 years.
• Departure Status: Retirement.
• Career Highlights: Leyva announced her decision to retire, stating she was "ready to make a move on and focus on my next great adventure in life." She was an integral part of the Eyewitness News team, co-anchoring key evening broadcasts and earning a reputation as a trusted voice in Southern California. Her departure came shortly after her colleague, Leslie Sykes, highlighting the significant loss of veteran talent at the Los Angeles affiliate.

Reggie Aqui (KGO-TV, ABC7 San Francisco)

• Role: ABC7 Mornings Anchor and Host.
• ABC 7 Tenure: 10 years.
• Departure Status: Stepping away for a "new challenge."
• Career Highlights: Aqui was a popular host and anchor in the Bay Area, known for his energetic presence on the morning show. Unlike the L.A. anchors, his departure was not a retirement but a decision to leave after a decade, with him stating he was unsure of his exact next move but was seeking a new professional challenge. His exit, alongside fellow anchor Julian Glover, created a sudden shakeup at KGO-TV.

Alan Krashesky (WLS-TV, ABC7 Chicago)

• Role: Veteran Anchor/Reporter.
• ABC 7 Tenure: 40 years.
• Departure Status: Retirement.
• Career Highlights: Krashesky’s career is one of the longest in Chicago broadcasting history. He retired on November 22, 2022, exactly 40 years to the day he started at ABC 7 Chicago. He served as the station’s first morning news anchor and was a fixture on the evening newscasts, solidifying his status as a Chicago television legend.

Roz Varon (WLS-TV, ABC7 Chicago)

• Role: Traffic Anchor.
• ABC 7 Tenure: 35 years.
• Departure Status: Retirement.
• Career Highlights: Varon was a beloved figure who delivered traffic reports for decades on "ABC 7 Eyewitness News This Morning." Her long tenure and emotional goodbye further underscore the trend of long-serving Chicago media personalities calling it a career.

The Core Reason: The 'Retirement Wave' and Industry Restructuring

While the keyword "quit" implies an abrupt, possibly dramatic exit, the reality behind the ABC 7 departures is a more complex mix of personal timing and industry economics. The primary driver is a generational "retirement wave" that has been building for years.

Many of the departing anchors—Leslie Sykes, Ellen Leyva, Alan Krashesky, and Roz Varon—all served for 30 years or more. This tenure is a testament to the stability of local news in the past, but it also means a large cohort of high-paid, veteran talent is reaching traditional retirement age simultaneously. The decision to retire after such a long and demanding career is a natural progression, allowing them to finally focus on "the next great adventure in life."

However, this personal choice intersects with harsh business realities. The local television news model is under immense pressure from declining cable subscriptions, the rise of digital-only news consumption, and the need for cost-cutting measures at the corporate level.

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The Financial and Digital Pressures on Local News

The departure of a long-time, high-salary anchor creates a significant financial opportunity for a news organization. Replacing a veteran with a younger anchor or reporter, often with a lower salary and a contract that includes more digital and multi-platform responsibilities, is a common strategy in modern media restructuring. This is a critical factor contributing to the ongoing "churn" in local television talent.

The case of Reggie Aqui at KGO-TV, who left after a comparatively shorter 10-year tenure to seek a "new challenge," is perhaps more indicative of the evolving career path for modern news talent. The demand for journalists to be multi-skilled—producing content for broadcast, social media, and streaming platforms—can lead to burnout or a desire to move into different media spaces that offer greater flexibility or new opportunities.

Furthermore, the departure of veteran talent is sometimes involuntary. The exit of long-time ABC 7 Chicago investigative reporter Chuck Goudie, who was "let go" after 44 years, highlights that not all exits are voluntary retirements. This suggests that cost-cutting and a desire to reshape the newsroom are active components of the current shakeup.

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What This Means for the Future of ABC 7 and Local News

The collective departure of these influential figures from KABC-TV, WLS-TV, and KGO-TV creates a void that is difficult to fill. These anchors were the embodiment of "Eyewitness News," providing a sense of stability and institutional memory for their communities. Their familiarity and trust were key assets in a media environment increasingly saturated with information.

The Rise of New Talent and the Digital-First Strategy

In the wake of the veteran exodus, ABC 7 affiliates are focusing on promoting new and diverse talent, often with a strong emphasis on digital media presence. The new generation of anchors is expected to not only deliver the news on-air but also to engage viewers across platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and station-specific apps. This shift is crucial as news organizations fight to maintain relevance with younger demographics who are abandoning traditional broadcast television.

The challenge for ABC 7 is to transition smoothly while retaining the trust and loyalty of their established audience. The new anchors must quickly build the credibility that took their predecessors decades to earn. The station must also navigate the tricky balance of honoring the legacy of the retiring legends while aggressively pursuing a forward-thinking, digital-first content strategy.

Ultimately, the "abc 7 news anchors quit" story is less about a single scandal and more about the inevitable collision of time, technology, and economics. It is a powerful reminder that even the most enduring institutions in local media are subject to the forces of change, ushering in a new, albeit unfamiliar, era of local journalism.