India, June 15 -- Bill Ritter, veteran WABC-TV journalist, has announced that he has been diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer's disease, bringing an emotional change to one of New York's longest-running television news careers.

The 76-year-old anchor revealed that the diagnosis during his final broadcast as anchor of Eyewitness News, telling viewers that he would step away from the anchor desk while continuing to work at ABC7 in a new reporting role that focuses on Alzheimer's awareness and patient care issues.

Bill Ritter Announcement: WABC Anchor Bill Ritter Diagnosed with Alzheimers

Bill Ritter shared the news of his diagnosis during Friday's Eyewitness News broadcast. The longtime anchor said doctors informed him that he has early...