Bill Ritter, the anchor who's been at ABC7 Eyewitness News in New York since 1999, announced Friday night during his 6 p.m. newscast that he has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and is stepping down from his role.
The San Diego native began his journalism career in Los Angeles with the Los Angeles Times before joining WABC-TV, where he worked for decades. He chose to share the diagnosis directly with viewers who have watched him report for over two decades.
Ritter announced the news on the platform where he built his career rather than stepping away quietly. The move has drawn responses across the media world.
The announcement ends a long tenure for New York news viewers accustomed to seeing Ritter deliver breaking news and human interest stories. His departure removes a prominent figure from the city's broadcast journalism.
Colleagues and industry veterans are expected to pay tribute to Ritter's contributions to journalism in the coming days. His public disclosure of his health condition has been noted for its directness.
ABC7 will manage the transition as Ritter focuses on his health. The respect he has earned over his career is evident in how the network has handled this moment.
