NBC on Wednesday announced that they have promoted Latino journalist Tom Llamas to anchor the weeknight edition of "NBC Nightly News," after current anchor Lester Holt steps down this summer.

Llamas, a senior national correspondent, currently hosts the nightly NBC News NOW program "Top Story with Tom Llamas,” which he will also continue to anchor while hosting his new program. 

The news comes after Holt announced his departure last month, after which he will remain at NBC News but will focus on his show “Dateline." However, his exit from "Nightly News" comes after more than a decade on the show.

“Tom has the winning combination of journalistic excellence, passionate storytelling and unyielding integrity — all characteristics that have long been trademarks of ‘NBC Nightly News,’” NBC News executive vice president of programming Janelle Rodriguez wrote in a message to staff.

Rodriguez also praised Llamas' commitment to helping grow the network's NBC News NOW streaming service, stating that it has helped introduce NBC to a new audience.

Llamas said he was honored to lead the trademark program, and praised Holt's legacy on the show.

“Lester Holt is a great man and one of the most trusted broadcasters of our time,” Llamas said. “Just like Lester, I promise to be devoted to our viewers and dedicated to the truth ... I look forward to working with the world class journalists at ‘Nightly News’ and ‘Top Story’ to bring viewers the most important stories every night."

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.