Leslie Sykes announces plans to retire after more than 30 years at ABC7

Wednesday, August 27, 2025
LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Our beloved longtime morning anchor Leslie Sykes has decided to retire after more than three incredible decades at ABC7.

Leslie joined ABC7 in 1994 and worked as a reporter before eventually cementing herself as an anchor for Eyewitness News at 4 a.m., 5 a.m. and 6 a.m.

"Somehow, I blinked and I found myself here in this anchor chair, getting to wake up with all of you every morning and, boy, what a whirlwind it has been," she said during her on-air announcement Wednesday.

Leslie grew up in Compton. After graduating from Spelman College in Atlanta, she moved to Hattiesburg, Mississippi to start her on-air career. Eventually, she returned to Southern California to cover the news in her hometown.

"Working here at Eyewitness News has been the privilege of my life. This station has been my home, and you, our viewers, have been my extended family. As we all know, there is never a dull moment in this vast and vibrant city of ours. From wildfires, earthquakes, elections and parades, to traffic jams and even those infamous car chases, we have shared it all together. You've graciously welcomed me into your homes and I want you to know that I so appreciate it and I'll never take it for granted."



Leslie will still be anchoring at ABC7 for the next month or so.

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