Bill Ritter
He started anchoring the 11 p.m. newscast on Eyewitness News in October, 1999, succeeding the great Bill Beutel, and then added the 6 p.m. newscast in February, 2001.
He has covered, for Eyewitness News and ABC News, the big and important events since 1992 when he joined ABC as founding co-host of "Good Morning America/Sunday."
Earlier in his career Bill, a native of Los Angeles, reported on the Rodney King trial and the subsequent Los Angeles riots for the Fox Television Network. From August 1991 through February 1992 Ritter also served as a reporter for the Fox Network's nationally syndicated show Entertainment Daily Journal (E.D.J.); and from February 1990 to August 1991 was an investigative reporter for KTTV-TV (Fox Television) in Los Angeles. He also was an anchor for the station's Gulf War coverage.
He began his television career as a business and then investigative reporter for KNSD-TV (NBC affiliate) in San Diego from February 1987 to January 1990.
Bill began his career in print journalism in 1972. He served as a reporter and then business editor of the San Diego County edition of The Los Angeles Times from February 1984 to January 1987. He also worked as a reporter and editor for the San Diego Business Journal from June 1980 to January 1984.
Additionally, Ritter served as a board member and then chairman of Crash, Inc., a non-profit drug education and prevention organization in San Diego, from 1980 to 1990. He also was on the San Diego State University Business School advisory board in 1984 and 1985.
Ritter attended San Diego State University from 1968-1972. He was kicked out of school for demonstrating against the Vietnam War. Forty years later he went back to college, graduating from The New School in May, 2016.
Bill's Stories
Up Close 3/23/25: Trump takes action to gut Department of Education, one of his campaign promises
When President Donald Trump campaigned for a second term, he made a lot of promises, and he appears to be delivering. This week, he took executive action to gut the federal Department of Education.
Up Close 3/16/25: President Donald Trump's economic war with tariffs and its impact on Americans
While the president says he's got it under control, the stock market and many Americans are concerned about the current state of the U.S. economy.
Up Close 3/9/25: Congressmen from both parties weigh in on President Trump's speech, latest actions
It was another busy week for President Donald Trump, filled with sudden controversial actions and about-faces, and the longest presidential address to a joint session of Congress.
Up Close 3/2/25: Breaking down Donald Trump's 5 weeks in office, current state of NYC mayoral race
Five weeks into the second presidential term of Donald Trump, and there are many people on both sides of the aisle who have been thrown for a loop over the daily drill of executive orders and overturning of items.
Up Close 2/23/25: Gov. Hochul decides against removing Mayor Adams; Trump's influence over New York
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul decided not to remove Mayor Eric Adams. Instead, Hochul says she is using "extraordinary intervention" to limit the mayor and his powers.
Up Close 2/16/25: Impact of President Trump's immigration crackdown, reshaping of federal government
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi recently took legal action against New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and others, claiming they were trying to resist the federal crackdown on undocumented workers.
Up Close 2/9/25: Democrats respond to President Donald Trump's most recent actions, controversies
On this edition of Up Close, we talk to Democratic Congressman Josh Gottheimer of New Jersey, and New York City Council Member Alexa Aviles.
Up Close 1/26/25: Recapping President Trump's 1st week in office, use of executive powers
With Republicans in control of the House and the Senate, Trump appears to be in an uber-strong position, but the majority party is filled with people who don't have the exact same politics.
Up Close 1/19/25: Impact of congestion pricing on NYC so far; countdown to Trump's inauguration
On this edition of Up Close, we examine the impact of congestion pricing on New York City so far and count down to President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration.
Up Close 1/12/25: How to bring the country together as Trump prepares for 2nd presidential term
In this episode of Up Close, we cover several political issues, including a discussion about how to bring this country together, and stop the vitriol and division that is still infecting the U.S.