Usually when a news anchor quits their job, it’s for a bigger and better opportunity. One local ABC News reporter out of Oklahoma said her goodbyes to viewers. And then revealed that she won’t be back on the air any time soon. Jordan Ryan broke her silence on her sudden departure and what led her to quit her dream job. Keep reading for all the details.
News Anchor Jordan Ryan Breaks Silence On Sudden Departure
Jordan Ryan grew up idolizing her local news anchors. She worked hard to get into the broadcasting business. She joined News 9 (KWTV) in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, in 2021. She left that station and joined KOCO 5, a local affiliate of ABC. The news anchor said her final goodbyes to viewers on Sunday, August 30.
However, there was more to the story of her exit than she said on the air. The anchor took to social media to address the real reason behind her sudden departure. “I’ve literally just left the TV station and I know I posted about my last day reporting today – today was my last day anchoring – and we made the announcement on TV so I feel comfortable being transparent with you,” Jordan Ryan began the lengthy video.
She reminded viewers that broadcasting was her dream job since she was a child. However, now that she has children herself, the schedule was too demanding. “When you have kids things change and its been apparent over the last year that I cannot function and be the best mom that I can be with the schedule you have to have.”
Morning anchors have to get up extremely early to report the news. Even national news anchors like Today Show‘s Dylan Dreyer struggle with the schedule.
“I can’t keep waking up this early in the morning while having two kids under three, and it’s just clear that even as they grow older, we’re just not going to make it work,” Jordan Ryan said. She revealed that her husband was supportive of her decision. Jordan Ryan has two children, daughter Lydia, who is nearly one year old, and son Colt, two-and-a-half, with her husband, Hunter Ryan.
Viewers Rally Around Her, Praise Putting Kids First
In addition to her career in broadcasting, Jordan Ryan was a former dancer with the Oklahoma City Thunder basketball team. She was well-known and liked in the community. However, she admitted in the video that she felt like a “zombie” as a working mother of two young children. Jordan Ryan teased a change in career or a return to broadcasting in the future.
Her departure was sudden, but she received a lot of support from viewers.
- “Very few people know the grind of a morning news schedule”
- “Many blessings to you! So many of us understand this wholeheartedly! I hope you can take a little break and pause and then jump into whatever God is leading you to do!”
- “So exciting. You’ll be missed on tv but yes. Family first.”
- “It’s the best decision, promise”
- “You made a choice that was right for you and your family and that’s what matters!”
KOCO 5 said they will miss Jordan Ryan. However, they respect her decision to put her family first. Stay tuned for more on her next chapter.
Jennifer Havener grew up in a small town in Upstate New York. She earned her B.A in Writing & Literature from Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado. She always knew watching reality TV shows and soap operas, particularly ‘Days of Our Lives’, would come in handy someday. When she’s not writing, she’s playing with her dogs, Lola and Ruger