WASHINGTON — NBC Washington’s Jim Vance will step down as the co-anchor of the 11 p.m. news later this year, but will remain part of the NBC Washington team for several more years, according to WTOP’s news partner, NBC Washington.
Vance, who has been bringing TV viewers the news for more than 40 years, will continue to anchor the 6 p.m. news with Doreen Gentzler through at least 2017.
“This has been Vance’s home since 1969, and we are beyond excited that he will be sticking around awhile,” NBC Washington’s President and General Manager Jackie Bradford said in a note to NBC Washington’s staff Wednesday.
Bradford announced that Jim Handly, who has been at the station for 23 years, will co-anchor the 11 p.m. news alongside Gentzler.
Handly will continue to co-anchor New4 at 5 p.m. Wendy Rieger.
Vance started at the station in 1969 and became an anchor in 1972, one of the first black anchors in the country.
Vance and Gentzler have been the most-watched news team in Washington for many years.
Last summer, Vance celebrated 45 years with the station.
