Bill Ritter, ABC7 Eyewitness News anchor, steps down after Alzheimer’s diagnosis 21%
By Colin Mixson63%
6/12/2026, 5:58:57 PM
BS Summary: This article contains 12 faulty reasoning types, including Appeal to Authority, Framing Effect, and Negativity Bias, with Halo Effect as the most egregious example at 26.7% saturation with 71 hits. Analysis detected 314 faulty-reasoning hits from 266 analyzed words, generating a BS Score of 35.2% and a BS Rank of 21% (17,289 of 21,887 articles). This article is better (less manipulative) than 79.00% of the article peer group.
Veteran broadcast journalist Bill Ritter announced on ABC7 Eyewitness News that he would be stepping down as news anchor at the end of Friday’s broadcast after having been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.
“My life has taken a turn,” Ritter, 76, 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.
”
“So, unless someone finds an amazing cure and really soon, tonight will be the last newscast I anchor.
”
A nearly 40-year print and broadcast news veteran, Ritter joined ABC as co-anchor of “Good Morning America Sunday” in 1993.
He was named co-anchor of the Eyewitness News 11 p.m. broadcast in Oct. 1999, and joined the 6 p.m. broadcast team in Feb.
2001.
Ritter said he would remain with Eyewitness News as a journalist covering Alzheimer’s and other neurological diseases.
“This station wants to dig deeper into the rising tide of Alzheimer’s,” he said.
WABC-TV General Manager Marilu Galvez described Ritter as an “integral part” of ABC7 and said she looks forward to his continued reporting, ABC reported.
“For decades, Bill Ritter has covered and led New Yorkers through the stories that matter most,” Galvez said.
“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.
”
Analysis
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