A legendary broadcaster in Pittsburgh has announced his retirement.
WPXI’s David Johnson has announced he is retiring from channel 11.
Johnson made the announcement on Facebook Monday morning, saying his last day will be December 13.
“This has not been an easy decision,” Johnson said.
Johnson game to Pittsburgh from Atlanta in early 1985 and has worked at WPXI ever since. For nearly 40 years, Johnson has anchored newscasts in the evening since 1989.
Born in Florida, Johnson became one of the most trusted names in Pittsburgh news, up there with names like Ken Rice of KDKA-TV and Mike Clark of WTAE.
Johnson and his long-time anchor partner, Peggy Finnegan were the “longest-running anchor team in Pittsburgh TV history,” according to WPXI’s website.
While saying it was a difficult decision, at age 67, Johnson says “it’s time to move on.”
“And this past summer, my only sibling, my sister Judy, suddenly passed away at the age of 74,” added Johnson. “That weighed heavily on me. My parents didn’t live past 75. None of us knows how much time we’re given. Second, as you may know, I have two young granddaughters, and a third is on the way early next year.”
Johnson spent a total of 45 years in television newsrooms and admits it will be “strange” not to go to work the Monday after December 13.
He also took time to thank his supporters in Pittsburgh over the past four decades.
For someone born in Florida, David has become part of the iconic fabric of Pittsburgh.
Enjoy retirement!