Getting info on this faster than I can post it, but here's the short version: Jane McGarry, who has been with KXAS/Channel 5 for 30 years, has announced that she is leaving the station, effective today. McGarry has been off the air since being arrested on driving while intoxicated charges in early May; she has also announced that she has pleaded no contest to the charges.
McGarry, who had been one of the most active social-media users in DFW media but has been silent on Twitter and Facebook since the arrest, posted this on her Facebook page within the past half-hour or so:
Hi, it's been a while. I want to thank you for all your kindness. You have touched my heart. I have something I want to tell you.
I pleaded no contest to a Class B misdemeanor charge of driving while intoxicated. I apologize for my irresponsible behavior and am grateful that the police did their job and no one was hurt. Blood alcohol tests showed my blood alcohol level was .11, which is over the legal limit, and therefore I should not have been driving. I have paid a fine of $1,200, will be on probation for 18 months and will participate in at least 40 hours of community service. I am deeply sorry for making such a terrible mistake and pledge it will never happen again.
Jane
A representative for McGarry says via e-mail that this statement (which was also sent to media, but I saw the Facebook post beforehand) is all that she can provide right now.
Of course, this led to us asking NBC 5 representatives about her status. Here's the station's statement. (The station will also have no further comment at this time.)
"Long-time NBC 5 news anchor Jane McGarry announced that she will leave effective today, Tuesday, July 10, 2012. Tom Ehlmann, NBC 5 president and general manager said, 'We support Jane’s decision and truly thank her for her many contributions to NBC 5 throughout her long and distinguished career. We wish her the very best.' Jane McGarry said, “I want to thank the people of North Texas for inviting me into their homes for 30 wonderful years. In today’s world, 30 years is a long time to stay in any one job. I leave grateful for the wonderful career I have had at NBC 5 and am looking forward with anticipation to the next phase of my professional life.”
News of McGarry's arrest broke May 6, when The Dallas Morning News and WFAA/Channel 8 reported that state trooper arrested McGarry early that morning after she failed to signal a lane change on the Dallas North Tollway.
"She admitted to drinking three glasses of wine, according to the report," the DMN reports, "but refused a breathalyzer, resulting in a mandatory blood test. She also failed several sobriety tests -- including the 'walk and turn,' the 'one leg stand' and the alphabet."
McGarry joined the station's staff as a reporter in 1982. She became an anchor in 1991, and was paired with Mike Snyder in 1992. They remained a team till Snyder left the station in 2010, making them one of the longest-running anchor teams in Texas.
