Chuck Scarborough to retire from anchoring NBC 4 New York after 50 years

After 50 years as an anchor for local news station NBC 4 New York, Chuck Scarborough is concluding his run as the longest-serving local news anchor in the area.

On Thursday, the award-winning broadcast journalist announced he would be signing off for good from the 6 p.m. newscast next month and start what he called a "retirement with an asterisk." His final day will be Thursday, Dec. 12.

"There is only one word: gratitude," Scarborough, 81, said in a statement. "Our WNBC viewers welcomed me into their homes for more than 50 years, trusting me to present the news free of any agenda, faithful to the fundamental principles of accuracy, objectivity and fairness—and to bring them vital, timely information during our darkest and brightest hours. That has been an extraordinary honor."

"We are fortunate that after Chuck's last newscast next month, he will return to his News 4 New York family from time to time and report on special projects," said Eric Lerner, President and General Manager of NBC 4 New York.

Over the decades, Scarborough kept New Yorkers informed amid major news events from John Lennon's assassination to the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Scarborough's WNBC career began at 30 Rockefeller Center's Studio 6B on March 25, 1974, an anniversary he celebrated earlier this year with a ceremonial lighting of the Empire State Building. He started anchoring both the 6 and 11 p.m. weekday news hours and scaled back to just the 6 p.m. hour — which he co-anchors with Natalie Pasquarella — in 2016.

Before making his way to the largest local news market in the country, Scarborough began his career as a news anchor in Biloxi, Mississippi, following his work as an electronics engineer in the U.S. Air Force. He made his way into larger markets, moving around to stations in Hattiesburg, Mississippi; Atlanta and Boston.

"When I look at these doors, I think of walking through them a half a century ago," Scarborough said outside 30 Rock during a 50th anniversary special about his career. "It's just hard to believe — I couldn't have imagined then what adventure would lie ahead covering this thriving metropolis. This is the most exciting place in the world. I've been privileged to be here for 50 years, half a century."

To conclude the 30-minute segment, Scarborough said, "When I arrived here at NBC in 1974, I couldn't have imagined this moment: that I'd still be gainfully employed at the network's flagship station 50 years later. Time does have a way of slipping quietly through our fingers while we're preoccupied with the noisy present. But this could not have happened without you.

"I have been the beneficiary of a small army of brilliant broadcast journalists on both sides of the camera, and they have my enduring admiration and respect," he continued. "But without you, this personal milestone could not be reached. Thank you for the gift of your loyalty and trust through all these years."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Chuck Scarborough to retire from NBC 4 New York after 50 years