Hoda Kotb, who calls New Orleans her second home, signs off the airwaves Friday as the co-anchor of TODAY.

Why it matters: The former WWL-TV reporter has shone a national light on the city with her love for the Saints, Jazz Fest and our delicious food.

The big picture: Her last show airs at 10am Friday on WDSU in New Orleans.

• Craig Melvin will replace Kotb as the co-anchor of TODAY alongside Savannah Guthrie, NBC said.

Catch up quick: Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager have co-anchored for five years.

• Kotb, who turned 60 last year, has spent 26 years at NBC. When she announced her departure in September, she said her two young daughters deserve more of her time.
• “This is the right time for me to move on,” she said.Zoom in: Kotb and Hager have filmed in New Orleans multiple times over the past few years.
  • Last spring, they did a burlesque class and ate at Dakar NOLA, Mister Mao and Sun Chong ahead of French Quarter Fest.
  • The year before, they went to Jazz Fest and admired the food-themed signs people made for TODAY.
  • Kotb also gave the commencement address at Tulane in 2016.