https://youtu.be/mDeQ1IU8QFM
Larry Stogner, a nearly 40-year veteran of television news, announced his retirement with a touching monologue on Friday night. The evening anchor for North Carolina’s ABC11 also courageously revealed the reason: amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS.
“For nearly four decades, I have met you right here, usually at six. Boy, we’ve seen a lot of change over those years. But, we have to stop meeting this way,” he told viewers, admitting that his speech had slowed recently, preventing him from effectively doing the job that he loves.
Stogner’s final broadcast will be on February 6.
“My career in broadcast journalism is coming to an end,” he said. “I am blessed to have had the best job in the world working for ABC 11 and the Walt Disney Company. I am going to take some vacation now with my wife, Bobbi, but I’ll be back here in two weeks from today for a chat with my talented colleagues, a few final thoughts, and a more personal goodbye. And now, more than ever, I say to you for all those 39 years, thanks for the company. Have a good night.”
The news came as a shock to people close to Stogner. According to ABC11, Stogner’s colleagues didn’t learn of his retirement and health situation until a staff meeting Friday afternoon.