WPLG's Laurie Jennings Signing Off Channel 10 In May

MIAMI, FL — Saying "it's time to take control of my time," WPLG TV news anchor Laurie Jennings announced plans Monday to step down from the anchor desk she has occupied for the past 15 years and spend more time with her aging parents and twin boys.

"This isn't easy of course. It's been an incredible honor that you invite us to come into your homes each and every night. What a privilege — and you trust us to bring you the news and keep you informed on our community. That has made us number one," Jennings explained, fighting back tears during the 6 p.m. newscast. "I'm not going to cry because I'm so blessed working with an incredible team both behind the cameras, in front of them — by far the number one team."

The six-time Emmy Award winner said her twin boys are 13 while her parents recently turned 80 and 87.

"After 30 years — I hate dating myself like that — can you believe 30 years — 15 of those years already here at WPLG — it's time," she said, promising to stay involved in local charities and do occasional TV projects around South Florida

"I just won't be here all night, every night," she said.

Co-anchor Calvin Hughes said he and Jennings spent many a night in the parking lot after the 11 p.m. newscast discussing their families.

"Now that your boys are 13 there's no doubt that they need you," he acknowledged. "You're a big part of the legacy of Local 10. There's no doubt about that."

During her career, Jennings covered the earthquake in Haiti; the death of Pope John Paul II in Vatican City; the first anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks at Ground Zero; the funeral of John F. Kennedy, Jr in New York City; the restart of peace talks in northern Ireland in 1997 and the start of the North American Free Trade Agreement from Matamoros, Mexico.

Watch below as Jennings discusses her departure:

A graduate of Cornell University with high honors, Jennings also holds a master's degree in journalism from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism.

Her first on-air TV job was in Youngstown, Ohio, at WKBN TV. She went on to WJW TV in Cleveland and WHDH TV in Boston before arriving in Miami — the first time — at WSVN TV.

She left WSVN to take an anchor post in New York at MSNBC in 2003 where she hosted two to four hours of breaking news daily and served as substitute anchor on "CNBC with Brian Williams" and "The Lester Holt Show."

She also did the news on the weekend edition of "Today" before returning to Miami to start her run at WPLG.

"I will be here through May so there's plenty of time to look at way too much old video of Laurie through the years," she said.

At the conclusion of Monday's 6 p.m. newscast Jennings confided: "I did it without crying."