Key facts
- Bill Ritter, 76, announced his early-stage Alzheimer's diagnosis.
- He is stepping down as ABC7 Eyewitness News anchor.
- Ritter will continue with ABC7 focusing on health reporting.
- He highlighted the unaffordability of Alzheimer's treatment and care.
- Ritter has been an anchor at ABC7 since 1998.
Veteran ABC7 Eyewitness News anchor Bill Ritter announced on June 12 that he is stepping down from his anchoring role after revealing an early-stage Alzheimer's disease diagnosis. The 76-year-old journalist shared the news during the evening broadcast, stating that while current treatments are helping to manage the condition, there is no cure. Ritter expressed his intention to continue working with ABC7, focusing on health-related reporting, particularly on Alzheimer's disease, its impact on patients and families, and the affordability of care. He described his partnership with producer Zahir Sachedina as one of the longest-running newscast teams, highlighting it as an example of New York's diverse melting pot. WABC-TV General Manager Marilu Galvez lauded Ritter as an "integral part" of the station, acknowledging his decades of insightful and heartfelt reporting. Ritter's career spans over four decades, including roles at Good Morning America and 20/20, and anchoring positions at WABC-TV since 1998. He previously worked in Los Angeles and San Diego, earning four Emmy Awards for investigative reporting.