Nicole Barlage/Pat Egan

This one hurts. Longtime 6abc anchor Jim Gardner announced his plans to retire at the end of 2022. Gardner has been broadcasting for more than four decades according to 6abc.

Gardner will continue to anchor the 6 p.m. newscast with Ducis Rodgers and meteorologist Cecily Tynan for the remainder of the year, but will no longer anchor the 11p.m. newscast and will appear in a final late night newscast in early January. The station announced they will announce a replacement in the next coming months. Gardner will speak to viewers about his upcoming plans tonight on Action News at 6 p.m.

On June 1st, 1976, Jim Gardner joined WPVI-TV in Philadelphia as a reporter and anchor of Action News at Noon. On May 11, 1977, he assumed his current position of anchor of Action News at 6pm and 11pm, according to his bio on 6bc.

Some things transcend sports. Jim Gardner fits that. Jim Gardner is arguably the most consistent thing this city has next to standstill traffic on 76, and potholes. Gardner is a staple. The ultimate professional. Its almost hard to imagine news in Philadelphia being delivered WITHOUT Jim Gardner. 6 ABC is the pinnacle. And Jim Gardner is the pinnacle at the pinnacle. Hes the best. But if there is one person who deserves to leave on their own terms, its Jim Gardner.