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Bill Ritter Announces Retirement from ABC7 After Alzheimers Diagnosis
When a familiar face on New York’s ABC7 Eyewitness News steps down, the city feels a loss. On Friday, veteran anchor Bill Ritter—who has been a trusted presence on the station since 1999—declared that he will leave the 6 p.m. newscast after doctors confirmed he has early‑stage Alzheimer’s disease.
The announcement came during the Friday evening broadcast of Eyewitness News. Ritter explained that he had shifted from the 11 p.m. slot to the 5 p.m. and then the 6 p.m. newscasts over the years in order to spend more time with his family. "Spending more time with my family has now become even more important," he said. "After a series of tests, my doctors have told me I have Alzheimer’s. This is called early‑stage Alzheimer’s, and they say the treatments I'm getting are keeping it at bay, at least for now. But there is no guarantee here, because there's no cure yet for Alzheimer’s."
Ritter added that tonight will be his last newscast as anchor. "So, unless someone finds an amazing cure and really soon, tonight will be the last newscast I anchor," he said. He thanked colleagues and noted that his children and wife, Kathleen, are the ones who are brave.
Although he will no longer lead the 6 p.m. news, Ritter confirmed he will remain at ABC7 in a reduced capacity. "I'm going to continue working right here at ABC7," he said. "I will continue helping the younger journalists here at Eyewitness News. I'm also going to remain a journalist here at Eyewitness News, and so you will still see me on air and online."
The anchor highlighted ABC7’s intent to use his story to deepen coverage of Alzheimer’s and related diseases. "ABC7 wants to dig deeper into the rising tide of Alzheimer’s and other similar diseases," he said. "We will report on how it's affecting patients and their families, how the price of treatment and the price of caring for patients is simply unaffordable, and how this country might begin to change all that."
Ritter is no stranger to the disease. "I'm not a stranger to this disease," he said. "My dad died with it in June 1998. I have since been active in the fight to stop Alzheimer’s, and I will continue doing that, along with my friend Mike Marza, who took my place, you recall, last year on Eyewitness News at 5 and 11."
The announcement follows a long career that began in Los Angeles and San Diego. Ritter started at KTTV and KCAL in Los Angeles, then moved to San Diego’s KNSD. He joined ABC in 1993 as a co‑anchor of Good Morning America Sunday. In New York, he became the 11 p.m. anchor of Eyewitness News in September 1999, added the 6 p.m. slot in February 2001, switched to 5 p.m. in 2019, and returned to 6 p.m. in 2025. He has also served as a correspondent for ABC News’ 20/20.
Ritter’s retirement comes at a time when Alzheimer’s disease remains a major public health challenge. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, the disease affects about 6 % of people 65 years and older worldwide, and the global economic burden is estimated at US$1 trillion annually. Early‑stage diagnosis, as in Ritter’s case, often allows for treatments that can slow progression but do not cure the disease.
ABC7’s decision to keep Ritter on the air in a reduced role reflects a broader trend in broadcast journalism to accommodate health challenges while preserving institutional knowledge. The station’s plan to expand coverage of Alzheimer’s aligns with a growing media focus on health literacy and caregiving.
In his closing remarks, Ritter expressed gratitude for the opportunity to report the news. "I am going to miss reporting the news to all of you, with the truth and with facts, no matter where they fall. It has been my honor to do just that," he said. "But for now, I wish you health and peace. Let's take care of each other."
Ritter’s announcement has been confirmed by multiple news outlets, including ABC7’s own post and coverage by Deadline and Yahoo. The station has not yet announced a permanent replacement for the 6 p.m. anchor position.
The current situation is that Bill Ritter will no longer anchor the 6 p.m. Eyewitness News broadcast but will continue to appear on ABC7 in a supporting capacity. His diagnosis and public disclosure are expected to raise awareness of Alzheimer’s disease among New York’s viewers and may influence the station’s future health‑focused programming.
The announcement came during the Friday evening broadcast of Eyewitness News. Ritter explained that he had shifted from the 11 p.m. slot to the 5 p.m. and then the 6 p.m. newscasts over the years in order to spend more time with his family. "Spending more time with my family has now become even more important," he said. "After a series of tests, my doctors have told me I have Alzheimer’s. This is called early‑stage Alzheimer’s, and they say the treatments I'm getting are keeping it at bay, at least for now. But there is no guarantee here, because there's no cure yet for Alzheimer’s."
Ritter added that tonight will be his last newscast as anchor. "So, unless someone finds an amazing cure and really soon, tonight will be the last newscast I anchor," he said. He thanked colleagues and noted that his children and wife, Kathleen, are the ones who are brave.
Although he will no longer lead the 6 p.m. news, Ritter confirmed he will remain at ABC7 in a reduced capacity. "I'm going to continue working right here at ABC7," he said. "I will continue helping the younger journalists here at Eyewitness News. I'm also going to remain a journalist here at Eyewitness News, and so you will still see me on air and online."
The anchor highlighted ABC7’s intent to use his story to deepen coverage of Alzheimer’s and related diseases. "ABC7 wants to dig deeper into the rising tide of Alzheimer’s and other similar diseases," he said. "We will report on how it's affecting patients and their families, how the price of treatment and the price of caring for patients is simply unaffordable, and how this country might begin to change all that."
Ritter is no stranger to the disease. "I'm not a stranger to this disease," he said. "My dad died with it in June 1998. I have since been active in the fight to stop Alzheimer’s, and I will continue doing that, along with my friend Mike Marza, who took my place, you recall, last year on Eyewitness News at 5 and 11."
The announcement follows a long career that began in Los Angeles and San Diego. Ritter started at KTTV and KCAL in Los Angeles, then moved to San Diego’s KNSD. He joined ABC in 1993 as a co‑anchor of Good Morning America Sunday. In New York, he became the 11 p.m. anchor of Eyewitness News in September 1999, added the 6 p.m. slot in February 2001, switched to 5 p.m. in 2019, and returned to 6 p.m. in 2025. He has also served as a correspondent for ABC News’ 20/20.
Ritter’s retirement comes at a time when Alzheimer’s disease remains a major public health challenge. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, the disease affects about 6 % of people 65 years and older worldwide, and the global economic burden is estimated at US$1 trillion annually. Early‑stage diagnosis, as in Ritter’s case, often allows for treatments that can slow progression but do not cure the disease.
ABC7’s decision to keep Ritter on the air in a reduced role reflects a broader trend in broadcast journalism to accommodate health challenges while preserving institutional knowledge. The station’s plan to expand coverage of Alzheimer’s aligns with a growing media focus on health literacy and caregiving.
In his closing remarks, Ritter expressed gratitude for the opportunity to report the news. "I am going to miss reporting the news to all of you, with the truth and with facts, no matter where they fall. It has been my honor to do just that," he said. "But for now, I wish you health and peace. Let's take care of each other."
Ritter’s announcement has been confirmed by multiple news outlets, including ABC7’s own post and coverage by Deadline and Yahoo. The station has not yet announced a permanent replacement for the 6 p.m. anchor position.
The current situation is that Bill Ritter will no longer anchor the 6 p.m. Eyewitness News broadcast but will continue to appear on ABC7 in a supporting capacity. His diagnosis and public disclosure are expected to raise awareness of Alzheimer’s disease among New York’s viewers and may influence the station’s future health‑focused programming.