Veteran New York TV Anchor Announces Retirement Following Alzheimer’s Diagnosis Bill Ritter, a longtime television news anchor in New York City, has announced his retirement after revealing he has early-stage Alzheimer’s disease. The 76-year-old veteran of ABC New York station WABC, who has anchored the station’s evening news since 2001, made the announcement during a Friday night broadcast. Ritter, who joined WABC in 1998, cited his diagnosis as the reason for stepping down from his role, though he expressed a commitment to continuing his work in raising awareness about the disease. Ritter’s career spanned decades, beginning with stints at the Los Angeles Times and local television stations in California before joining WABC in 1998. He anchored the 11pm newscast starting in 1999 and transitioned to the 6pm slot in 2001, becoming a familiar face to New York residents. His retirement announcement came as he shared his personal struggle with the progressive neurological disorder, which affects memory, thinking, and language skills. In a heartfelt statement, Ritter reflected on his career, saying, “I am going to so 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. But for now, I wish you health and peace and let’s take care of each other.” He acknowledged the uncertainty of his condition, noting that while current treatments are keeping symptoms at bay, there is no cure. “They say the treatments I’m getting are keeping it at bay, at least for now. But there is no guarantee, because there’s no cure yet for Alzheimer’s.” Ritter also highlighted his family history with the disease, as his father had also succumbed to Alzheimer’s.#new_york_city #alzheimer_s_disease #wabc #bill_ritter #alzheimer_s_foundation_of_america
Mayor Mamdani Slams ‘Bigotry’ from Right-Wing Radio Host Sid Rosenberg; WABC Defends Him Mayor Eric Adams condemned right-wing radio host Sid Rosenberg for using “bigoted” and “dehumanizing” language during a heated exchange, calling the remarks “painfully familiar” to Muslim New Yorkers. The criticism came after Rosenberg labeled Adams a “Jew-hating cockroach” and a “jihadist mayor” on Monday, following the mayor’s public stance against the Trump administration’s policies toward Iran and its immigration enforcement actions. Adams, who is the first Muslim mayor of New York City, denounced the rhetoric as an attempt to undermine his leadership and divert attention from pressing civic issues. Rosenberg, a prominent figure in New York’s Republican political landscape, has long faced scrutiny for his history of making racist and Islamophobic remarks. Despite this, he has maintained connections with city officials, including dining with Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch and featuring Council Speaker Julie Menin on his radio show. Adams highlighted the personal impact of Rosenberg’s comments, noting that they resonate deeply with Muslim residents and those of East African descent, as he himself moved to New York from Uganda at age 7. In a statement, Adams emphasized that his identity as the city’s first Muslim mayor would not be diminished by “racism” or “bigotry.” He accused Rosenberg of prioritizing “outrage” over constructive dialogue, asserting that the host’s attacks were a distraction from the city’s urgent challenges. The mayor also reiterated his commitment to serving all New Yorkers, regardless of their background, and rejected the dehumanizing rhetoric directed at him.#kathy_hochul #mayor_erik_adams #sid_roseberg #wabc #julie_menin
