JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – You know what they say about this place: .It's like the Heartbreak Hotel. "You can check out anytime you like, but you can never leave."
So to be clear, I'm not leaving, but you won't see me behind the anchor desk on a day-to-day basis.
Recommended Videos
I will still fill-in from time to time., but I'm going to take more time to continue to working with my favorite non-profit, the Children's Home Society, to be with family, do some traveling. And eventually I'd like to teach.
While I'm not going away, I would like to take this time to say thank you for allowing me to come into your homes for the past few decades.
We've spent 30 incredible years together. We've laughed and we've cried together about so many stories, from hurricanes to politics to stories about safety on our roadways and keeping you safe from fire.
And what about the time I rushed to the studio with tears streaming down my face to tell you the Space Shuttle Challenger with seven people aboard exploded shortly after liftoff.
It was the first time in years television stations didn't had not shown a shuttle launches live, and the first time a civilian was part of the crew.
And what about the time we laughed so hard at the "Limbo Man" -- the guy who wanted to spread the joy of "limbo" to the world. We laughed so hard and long I almost didn't finish the newscast.
And of course you were right by my side when I suffered a heart attack and underwent open heart surgery that required six bypasses. Your prayers and words of support helped pull me through, and for that I thank you from the bottom of this patched up heart of mine.
And whenever I saw you in public, whether in the grocery store or at a community event, you were always so gracious and kind to me. So again, thank you.
So while I will still be anchoring the news some, I won't be here every day. But you'll be in good hands with two fantastic journalists to occupy the anchor desk alongside Joy. Tarik Minor will co-anchor the 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. and Kent Justice will be here at 11. I trust them, and I think you should, too.
So I'm not saying goodbye; I'll just say,"see you later."