New York anchor Bill Ritter announces Alzheimer's diagnosis during his final Eyewitness News broadcast

Bill Ritter, a fixture in New York City television news for more than two decades, announced on Friday that he has been diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer's disease, bringing a close to his run as the anchor of WABC-TV's flagship evening newscast.

Ritter, 76, made the announcement during the 6 p.m. Eyewitness News broadcast, telling viewers that it would be his final evening anchoring the program he has led since 2001. The decision came after a period of medical testing that confirmed the diagnosis, which doctors say is currently being managed with treatment.

"After a series of tests, my doctors have told me I have Alzheimer's," Ritter said on the air. "It's early-stage Alzheimer's, and they say the treatments I'm getting are keeping it at bay, for now. But there is no guarantee, because there's no cure yet for Alzheimer's."

He added, "So, unless someone finds an amazing cure, and soon, tonight will be the last newscast I anchor."

Ritter noted during the broadcast that Alzheimer's is a disease he has faced before. His father died from the illness in 1998, the same year Ritter himself joined WABC-TV, after a years-long battle with the condition.

Ritter's career in journalism stretches back well before his arrival in New York. He worked at the Los Angeles Times and at television stations in California before joining ABC News in a national reporting role. He moved to WABC-TV in 1998 and began anchoring the station's 11 p.m. newscast in 1999. Two years later, he took over the 6 p.m. broadcast, which became the cornerstone of his career. He also anchored the station's 5 p.m. newscast for several years, making him one of the most recognizable faces in New York television news.

While Ritter is stepping away from the anchor desk, WABC-TV said he will remain part of the station in a new reporting role focused on Alzheimer's disease and other neurological conditions. According to the station, that work will include personal updates and information about resources for patients and families affected by similar diagnoses.

General Manager Marilu Galvez praised Ritter's long tenure at the station. "For decades, Bill Ritter has covered and led New Yorkers through the stories that matter most," she said in a statement. "A defining presence at ABC7, he has done so with exceptional insight, integrity and, most of all, heart, earning the love and respect of viewers and colleagues alike."

Galvez added that while Ritter is leaving daily anchoring behind, "he will continue to be an integral part of our ABC7 family, including sharing personal updates and providing resources to help others impacted by Alzheimer's better understand the disease and the resources available to them." She described him as "strong, brilliant, and resourceful" and said the station looks forward to his continued reporting.

The announcement drew a wide response across the city. New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani acknowledged Ritter's decades of service in a post on X, writing that the longtime anchor "has been a trusted presence in New Yorkers' homes, helping us make sense of the news that shape our city." Mamdani added that Ritter's decision to share his diagnosis publicly would resonate with many families. "His courage in sharing his Alzheimer's diagnosis will help countless families facing the same challenge feel less alone," the mayor wrote. "Wishing Bill, his loved ones, and everyone affected by Alzheimer's strength in the days ahead."

Reaction from Ritter's colleagues at WABC-TV was similarly warm. Reporter Lucy Yang, who has appeared on his newscasts and filled in alongside him over the years, wrote that Ritter's professionalism never wavered. "For decades, I've reported for his show and even filled in, anchored w him," she posted on X. "He never gave less than 110%. I salute you. I thank you. And I will pray for you."

Chief meteorologist Lee Goldberg, who has worked alongside Ritter for years, said the anchor's influence would outlast his time at the desk. "He preaches be kind, take care of each other, and we're all in this together," Goldberg wrote on X. "Now, in addition to doing these things for himself and his loving family, he'll build on his legendary legacy by helping millions who share his battle." Goldberg closed his message with a personal note: "You're a saint, and my hero @billritter7. Love you."

Ritter's announcement places him among a growing list of public figures who have spoken openly about Alzheimer's diagnoses in recent years, a trend that advocates say helps reduce the stigma surrounding the disease and encourages others to seek early evaluation. With his new focus at WABC-TV, Ritter indicated that his next chapter will involve not only continuing to report the news but also shining a spotlight on the experience of living with Alzheimer's, both for himself and for the millions of families navigating the same diagnosis.