WABC-TV’s Bill Ritter Departs ‘Eyewitness News’ Anchor Job After Being Diagnosed With Early Stage Alzheimer’s

By Michael Schneider

Michael Schneider

Variety Editor at Large

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Longtime WABC-TV/ABC7 news anchor Bill Ritter is stepping down from the “Eyewitness News” chair after being diagnosed with early stage Alzheimer’s. Ritter announced on Friday’s 6 p.m. newscast that it would be his last. Ritter has anchored the station’s 6 p.m. “Eyewitness News” broadcast since 2001.

“After a series of tests, my doctors have told me I have Alzheimer’s,” Ritter said during Friday’s newscast, according to WABC. “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. So, unless someone finds an amazing cure, and soon, tonight will be the last newscast I anchor.”

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