NORFOLK, Va. — After almost three decades working in broadcast journalism, Anchor Nicole Livas announced on 13News Now's 5:30 p.m. newscast that she is leaving the station and the career field.
"I'm wrapping up my career in broadcast journalism right here where it started behind the scenes at 13NewsNow," she said. "My career took me stations in Ohio, then Rhode Island, then back home here in Norfolk where I've brought you the news, emceed countless events, and volunteered in the community."
A Virginia Beach native, Livas got her first paying TV job as a production assistant at WVEC in the 1990s. She ran the camera for some of Hampton Roads' local TV legends, including Barbara Ciara, Jeff Lawson and Joe Flanagan.
Livas landed her first on-air reporting job in Ohio less than a year later and then worked at a station in Rhode Island before coming back to Norfolk.
"I took a short break and moved to D.C. when I had my daughter 7 years ago," Livas said in her on-air statement. "Being Maya's mom is the most important and fulfilling job I'll ever have, and I'm looking forward to spending more quality time with her."
"I'm moving into a new role in communications for Virginia Beach City Schools, and you'll still see me around town."
During her more than 20 years delivering the news to Hampton Roads, Livas was voted best female newscaster by Coastal Virginia Magazine’s readers several times. She’s also been recognized by the Virginia Association of Broadcasters and The Hampton Roads Black Media Professionals and is an Emmy-nominated multimedia journalist.
"Thank you to my family, my teachers, my friends, my mentors, my co-workers which includes numerous people who work behind the scenes, and to all of you who have supported me throughout my career in news," she said in a Facebook post earlier this month.
"Thank you, WVEC 13NewsNow for choosing me way back in the day to work behind the scenes and for bringing me back home almost 5 years ago to join the news team on-air. I am truly grateful!"
Tune in to 13News Now at 11 for her final show.