Orlando broadcast legend Bob Opsahl retires from WFTV

Bob Opsahl, veteran anchor for Cox Media Group Orlando’s Channel 9 Eyewitness News, announced his plans to retire at the end of May after nearly 38 years with the station. Opsahl’s last day anchoring the 5 and 6 p.m. news will be Friday, May 27, 2016.

“I cannot believe how quickly time has gone by, and I am so grateful to our viewers, who have been watching for so many years,” said Opsahl. “I am very fortunate to have had such a long run, in such an honorable place as WFTV. So many people work all their lives so they can retire in Central Florida, and I was lucky enough to have been here my entire career.”

Opsahl’s tenure in broadcasting spans decades of history-making events. Some of the major stories he has covered include the Challenger & Columbia space shuttle tragedies, the aftermath of Hurricane Andrew, in South Florida, the presidential inauguration of George H.W. Bush, Florida’s 2000 presidential election and recount fiasco and the Casey Anthony trial.