Bill Ritter, the longtime anchor of WABC’s “Eyewitness News” 6 p.m. newscast, delivered his final broadcast on Friday following a diagnosis of early-stage Alzheimer’s disease. Ritter, 76, announced the decision in a statement to viewers, explaining that the diagnosis came after a series of medical tests and that he would be stepping down from his anchoring duties unless a significant breakthrough in treatment is found soon.

Having anchored the evening newscast since 2001, Ritter emphasized that while he is leaving the anchor desk, he intends to remain involved with the station. He plans to mentor younger journalists at “Eyewitness News” and will focus on reporting about Alzheimer’s disease and related conditions. His new role will address how the illnesses affect patients and families, the high cost of care and treatment, and the broader implications for healthcare policy in the United States.

Ritter’s personal connection to Alzheimer’s runs deep. He lost his father to the disease in 1998 and has since been active in efforts to raise awareness and combat the illness. Alzheimer’s disease is recognized as the most common form of dementia, accounting for 60 to 80 percent of diagnosed cases, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. It currently ranks as the seventh-leading cause of death in the United States, with no known cure.

Reflecting on his career, Ritter acknowledged the difficulty of sharing his diagnosis with viewers and colleagues, noting his long-standing partnership with producer Zahir Sachedina. The pair worked together for more than 25 years, forming one of the longest-running anchor-producer teams in broadcast news. Ritter highlighted their diverse backgrounds—himself Jewish and Sachedina Muslim—as emblematic of New York’s cultural mosaic.

He also expressed gratitude toward his WABC colleagues, including fellow anchors Liz Cho, Ryan Field, and Sade Baderinwa, as well as meteorologist Lee Goldberg. Cho, who co-anchored the evening newscast with Ritter for 23 years, praised his leadership and mentorship in a social media post, describing him as instrumental in shaping her career.

In closing, Ritter addressed viewers directly, expressing how much he will miss reporting the news and delivering it “with the truth, and the facts, no matter where they fall.” He thanked the audience for the opportunity to serve as their reporter and wished them health and peace, urging everyone to take care of one another moving forward.