Longtime news anchor Chuck Scarborough is stepping down from the anchor’s desk at NBC New York after more than 50 years. “The time has come to pass the torch,” Scarborough said at the conclusion of WNBC’s 6 p.m. broadcast Thursday. “50 years, eight months and 17 days after I walked in the door here at the headquarters of the national broadcasting company, I will step away from this anchor desk.” The station said his last day at the anchor’s desk will be Dec. 12, but that he will stay on as a special contributor. “There is only one word: gratitude,” Scarborough said. “Our WNBC viewers welcomed me into their homes for more than 50 years, trusting me to present the news free of any agenda, faithful to the fundamental principles of accuracy, objectivity and fairness—and to bring them vital, timely information during our darkest and brightest hours. That has been an extraordinary honor.” After leaving the U.S. Air Force, Scarborough got his start in TV news as an anchor in Biloxi, Miss. before stops in Hattiesburg, Miss., Atlanta and Boston. Scarborough, 81, became the 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. weekday anchor at WNBC’s studio at 30 Rock on March 25, 1974. He cut back to co-anchoring the 6 p.m. broadcast in 2016. He’s won 36 local Emmy Awards and received the New York Chapter of Television Arts & Sciences’ “Governor’s Award” in 2014. He also won a National Emmy and a Edward R. Murrow award for the station’s coverage of Hurricane Sandy in 2012. The station, and Scarborough, also received the Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Award for its coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021. The award is considered the Pulitzer of broadcast journalism. “Chuck Scarborough is the gold standard in American broadcast journalism. His skills as an anchor, reporter and newsroom leader are unmatched — and he is a pretty special guy off-camera too,” said Eric Lerner, president and general manager of NBC 4. His successor in the 6 p.m. time slot will be announced at a later date.