Art McFarland announces retirement
May 6, 2014 (WABC) -- He's been here longer than any other on-air person, and for many of us and you, he's a beloved fixture.
Our great friend Art McFarland today told us he's going to retire. At 66, Art told me he has lots of things he wants to do this in a life that has already been full, especially if you ask our viewers who have watched Art since 1983.
What a class guy, and a wonderful communicator, whose passion for life and the truth and for storytelling and justice all shines through everything he does.
When I first came to New York, and watched Eyewitness News, I was amazed at how versatile this guy was. And still is. Art anchored in the mornings, he did sports, he did weather, and he was a reporter. For the past decade he's been on the education beat, replacing a great education reporter, Celeste Ford. Art didn't miss a note. His education coverage was humane and insightful, smart and forward looking.
And we're going to miss him. I'm going to miss him.
I remember when Art's dad died in 2006; he was so moved by this man who had such a wonderful and great influence on his life. Art's father went into retirement from Lockheed in Georgia to become a parking lot attendant at Fulton County Stadium, home to the Atlanta Braves. It was, Art remembered, something of a dream job imagine going to the baseball game every day!
Art says he wants to write maybe some books maybe do some voice overs (who has better pipes that Art?).
I find it hard to imagine this place without him.
He's here till the end of the month, so send him a note or a message over social media. A great man with an infectious smile, a golden heart, and unmatched integrity. Love you Art.
That's our backbeat as we prep tonight's 11 p.m. newscast.
We'll have any breaking news of the night, plus Meteorologist Lee Goldberg's AccuWeather forecast, and Rob Powers with the night's sports. I hope you can join Sade Baderinwa and me, tonight at 11.
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