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# Wendy Rieger, D.C.-Area Newscaster for More than Three Decades, to Retire
- URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/wendy-rieger-d-c-area-newscaster-for-more-than-three-decades-to-retire/
- Published: 2021-12-11T14:48:08.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-08T23:47:15.000Z
- Author: Capitol Communicator
- Tags: People, Media, #wp-top-center-sponsored, #Import 2026-10-08 18:51

**Wendy Rieger, news anchor on NBC4 and former anchor at WTOP,** [has announced her retirement](https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/wendy-rieger-retiring-from-news4-after-33-years/2906965/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) following more than three decades helming D.C. area newscasts, reports WTOP.

In the recent past, Rieger has had [health issues](https://capitolcommunicator.com/wrc-tvs-wendy-reiger-says-of-surgery-to-remove-brain-tumor-i-have-never-felt-luckier/), but said she negotiated her retirement two years ago.

“It is time to make my way to the exit — not because there is anything wrong. But because so much is deliciously right,” Rieger wrote in a statement. “And there is so much talent walking these halls. I want to direct my light on them. Give the audience a fresh face and a jolt of new energy.”

According to WTOP, Rieger “will be around the station until Dec. 17, which will be her last day on the set. Her co-anchor, Jim Handly, announced that they will honor her career during the Friday show.

“Rieger was added to the roster at NBC Washington in 1988 as a general assignment reporter. She covered breaking news at 11 p.m., moving on to anchor weekend evening newscasts in 1996, settling at the 5 p.m. anchor slot in 2001.

“Rieger’s writing and voice sparked her early career following a short writing experience at WAMU, hosting Morning Edition on WMAL and anchoring for NPR and WTOP. Her television career began in CNN’s Washington Bureau..

More [here](https://wtop.com/local/2021/12/nbc-washington-announces-retirement-of-longtime-anchor-wendy-rieger/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).