Let me tell you something that had a lot of people scratching their heads. On February 3, 2025, viewers tuning in for their nightly dose of news on NBC Nightly News got a bit of a shock. Instead of seeing the familiar face of Lester Holt, they were greeted by none other than Hallie Jackson, stepping in as the anchor for the evening. It wasn’t just a casual swap—this was a big deal for fans who have grown accustomed to Lester's steady presence.
Who Took Over for Lester Holt on NBC Nightly News?
Now, here’s the scoop. The February 3 episode of NBC Nightly News With Lester Holt didn’t feature Lester at all. Instead, it was Hallie Jackson, a well-known NBC correspondent, who filled in for the veteran news anchor. Hallie kicked off the broadcast with the day's top headlines, but she didn’t give much away about why Lester wasn’t there.
“Good evening from Washington, I’m Hallie Jackson in for Lester,” she said, keeping it short and sweet, without revealing where exactly Lester might be. She carried on with the rest of the show, delivering the news with her usual professionalism. But you know what? The absence of Lester didn’t go unnoticed by fans. After the episode aired, viewers took to the comments section on YouTube, which is where NBC posted the episode on their official account.
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“Where is Lester?” one viewer asked, clearly puzzled. Another chimed in, “I was just thinking that!” Some folks were more forgiving, suggesting that Lester might just be taking a break. “Taking a much-needed break,” one commenter wrote. Others simply missed him. “Missed Lester,” another said, summing up the sentiment perfectly.
What Did Hallie Jackson Say About Lester Holt's Absence?
Interestingly, on February 2, 2025, Hallie had been hosting the Sunday edition of NBC Nightly News. During that broadcast, she mentioned that Lester would be back the following day. But, as we now know, that didn’t happen. This left some viewers scratching their heads even more. “Didn’t I hear ‘Lester will be in tomorrow, have a good night yesterday?’ What happened? Where is Lester at?” one viewer pointed out in the comments.
Another viewer wasn’t satisfied with the lack of explanation. “I’m here for Lester! When he’s not here, I need a bigger reason than just ‘he’s not there,’” they wrote. It’s clear that Lester Holt has built a strong bond with his audience over the years, and his absence was felt deeply.
A Look at Lester Holt's Journey to NBC Nightly News
Lester Holt, born in 1959, grew up on an Air Force base in Marin County, California. His love for broadcasting started early, inspired by his older brother who became a disc jockey. It wasn’t long before Lester realized that broadcasting could be his calling too. He told Esquire in June 2023 about a pivotal moment in his career: “I was 28 years old, and I was doing a story about the military. I had the opportunity to go up in an F-16 with an Air Force pilot. We went up on a little training mission in the Arizona desert and we’re flying between these canyons. He lets me take the stick and I fly it through a loop. We landed, and I had this almost slight feeling of depression, like I had screwed up my life. I thought, This is what I should have done. But life went a different way.”
Why Lester Holt Loves His Job
Since 2015, Lester has been the main anchor of NBC Nightly News, a role he cherishes deeply. He’s earned the respect and admiration of loyal NBC viewers over the years. “I love the exhilaration of covering breaking news,” Lester shared with People in May 2023. “There are times I’ll be on a story and I still hear that giddy kid inside that says, ‘Can you believe you’re doing this, man?’ If I ever lose that feeling, that’s when it’s time to hang this up.”
Life Beyond the Newsroom
When Lester isn’t keeping the nation informed, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Carol Hagen, whom he married in 1982. “People say marriage is tough, and it is, but marriage is also great,” Lester said. “It’s really important to have someone who gets you. Who can cut you a little slack sometimes. Who can make you feel good about yourself when maybe you’re not.” Lester and Carol have two children, Stefan and Cameron. Stefan, the elder, follows in his dad’s footsteps as an NBC Chicago anchor. “We have a live interaction where we speak to preview what’s on Nightly News,” Lester said. “And sometimes right before that or right after, I’ll ping him with a quick text saying, ‘Love the story you did before my segment,’ or ‘Love that suit, man.’”
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