PORTLAND, Ore. — NBC Nightly News is welcoming a new face to its anchor desk this Monday night as Tom Llamas officially takes over from longtime anchor Lester Holt. Llamas, who has already earned a strong following in the Pacific Northwest, is making history as the first Latino anchor of a network evening newscast.
Lester Holt concluded his tenure as anchor of NBC’s flagship program, having led the broadcast since 2015. His departure allows him to focus on ‘Dateline,’ while Llamas brings more than 25 years of journalism experience to his role. He has a personal connection to local communities, particularly those in the Portland metro area, which he aims to serve.
In an exclusive interview with KGW’s Christine Pitawanich, Llamas reflected on the significance of stepping into the shoes of broadcasting icons like Tom Brokaw, Brian Williams, and his mentor, Lester Holt.
“It feels incredible, right? I grew up watching a lot of those guys. We were an NBC family, so those were my heroes, especially Lester,” Llamas shared. “He’s been a mentor and a friend for a long time. And besides being an amazing journalist, he’s an amazing guy.”
At 47 years old, Llamas transitioned to NBC in 2021 after leaving ABC, and he brings a unique perspective to his new role, shaped by his parents’ immigrant experience. They escaped communist Cuba in the late 1950s and early 1960s, arriving in America with limited resources and no knowledge of the language.
“This country gave them a second chance. And so they instilled in me the love of America. And I do. I love this country so much. I think it’s the greatest place in the world,” he said. “They also taught me hard work. And I think that’s the immigrant sort of mentality.”
Llamas views his appointment as the realization of the American dream sought by his parents when they fled Cuba.
“You can come to this country with nothing. You can work really hard and put your family first, like my parents did. And your son can become the anchor of Nightly News. And to me, that is the American dream. And I believe the American dream is alive, because I’ve lived it,” he stated.
While Llamas intends to put his own stamp on the broadcast, he reassures long-time viewers that he values continuity.
“We’re not gonna change things too much. I think a lot of people have relied on the broadcast for decades. It’s a great show. Lester has built a great show. We’re gonna carry on that tradition,” Llamas said. “Little by little, I’ll be putting my stamp on it.”
Bringing extensive global reporting experience to the anchor desk, Llamas has covered significant stories that resonate with Pacific Northwest audiences, including natural disasters, political coverage of the upcoming 2024 election, and the marathon election night that drove NBC News NOW to record viewership.
He has also reported on international conflicts, such as the war in Ukraine and the Israel-Hamas conflict, and has conducted interviews with world leaders like President Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro.
What truly resonates with KGW viewers, however, is Llamas’s philosophy on local news.
“In disasters or in horrific events, good people always show up and we always highlight their stories and it’s because of them that communities are able to build up,” he pointed out.
As an Emmy and Edward R. Murrow award winner, Llamas holds degrees in broadcast journalism and drama from Loyola University in New Orleans, and he underscores his commitment to viewers across the nation, particularly those in Portland and Southwest Washington.
“I really think Nightly News is the show of record for this country. And I want the viewers in Portland to know that I work for NBC, but I really work for them. I believe this is a public service. I believe people need the news,” Llamas emphasized.
He further stressed the importance of reliable news sources in today’s complex landscape, stating, “Whether it’s in our country or overseas or even in your backyard, you need to rely on local news and you need to rely on the Nightly News. And we’re gonna be there for them.”
Balancing his demanding career with family life remains a priority for Llamas, who has three children aged 12, nine, and seven. He credits his wife as “the rock of our family” and noted that his children understand the significance of his work.
“They know that I’m not only leaving them, I’m going to do something and I’m going to hopefully help somebody or at least bring information to the viewers back at home, and they know that when I’m not here and I’m not working, I’m with them because they are my life,” he said.
Holt’s departure is seen as part of a broader trend in network news, as seen with Norah O’Donnell’s recent exit from ‘CBS Evening News.’ Holt expressed his desire for greater flexibility to pursue in-depth reporting on ‘Dateline,’ wanting the ability to spend time on investigative stories.
“I once spent two nights in prison for a Dateline, and I’ve done heartbreaking stories on the asthma crisis and the economy… but I want to do more of those,” Holt shared, illustrating how the fast-paced format of ‘Nightly News’ limited his capacity for deeper explorations of complex issues.
With Llamas now stepping into the role, what was previously ‘NBC Nightly News’ will now be called ‘NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas.’ He will continue hosting his daytime streaming program ‘Top Story with Tom Llamas’ while serving as the managing editor of the evening broadcast.
During his conversation with KGW, Llamas also expressed his eagerness to engage with Pacific Northwest audiences beyond the broadcast. When invited to explore Portland’s famed food scene, Llamas enthusiastically responded: “I’m on my way.”
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