Longtime KTRK anchor Dave Ward is stepping down from his 10:00 p.m. anchor duties at the end of the year. According to the Houston Business Journal, Ward, who has been with the ABC-owned station for 48 years, will continue anchoring the 6:00 p.m. newscasts in 2015, with occasional appearances at 10:00 p.m. for special reports.
This change doesn’t come as a huge surprise, as Ward has had some health problems as of late. We reported back in March of his shoulder surgery, which kept him away from the anchor desk for three weeks. In May 2012, Ward was out for more than a month after breaking his hip in a fall, minutes before a newscast. Despite these injuries, Ward always managed to get back on his feet, and back to work.
In a statement, Ward assured his loyal viewers that he’s not going away entirely:
“You have invited me into your hearts and into your homes, you have trusted me with the day’s news, and I have trusted you to be there, and you have been, for almost 48 years. I am honored and humbled to still be doing the work I love, anchoring ABC-13 Eyewitness News. So let’s be clear — I’m not going anywhere! I’m just going to go home a little earlier, that’s all.”
Ward will anchor his last 10:00 p.m. newscast on December 23.