KHOU Anchor/Reporter Lauren Talarico announced on her social media that she is leaving the Tegna station next week.

"This career has given me so much...passion, focus, meaning. Some of the stories I’ve been trusted to tell have broken my heart and kept me up at night, while others have filled me with so much hope seeing the love that we can have for one another.    

The one thing this job can’t give me is my family. I’m leaving KHOU to move closer to them. I miss them and want my children to have the joy of those daily interactions.    

 This was not an easy decision. It took months of soul searching and tears to decide. Walking into Liz’s office (my news director) to deliver that news was so hard and I’ll never forget the kindness and support she showed to me.   

This job is important. Ethical journalists are important. KHOU is special. The way we tell stories is special. The empathy and compassion that is considered in every story we tell is special. The way we treat each other in this newsroom is special. It’s been an honor to work alongside you all."

Before she leaves Houston, Talarico got an early going away gift. Her Twitter was hacked and now her Twitter says that she is Andrew Tate.