Longtime Anchorage anchor Maria Downey will retire at the end of the month after more than 40 years of work in Alaska.
Downey moved to Alaska in 1981 to work as a reporter KIMO before moving to NBC affiliate KTUU, now known as Alaska’s News Source, four years later.
“After 38 years at Channel 2, 43 years total working in Alaska news, I will be retiring as of January 26th,” she wrote on social media. “The station has known for nearly a year and has been wonderful working on the transition. While I am so excited–about having more time and freedom to spend with my family, without those demanding news schedules–it is definitely bittersweet.”
Downey said she plans to stay in Anchorage after retirement.
“Maria has been the heart of our newsroom for nearly four decades and will be sorely missed,” said Nancy Johnson, general manager and vice president of Alaska’s News Source. “She’s been the steady voice, covering good stories and bad with compassion and dedication. So many Alaskans grew up watching Maria in their homes that she’s really like family, warmly known across the state as just ‘Maria.’”
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