FOX8 anchorman McNeill to retire. Hes been at High Point station 43 years

After 43 years at High Point television station WGHP, FOX8 anchor Neill McNeill said he will close out his broadcast journalism career in 2026

McNeill announced on Monday on his personal Facebook page that he will retire on Dec. 17.

McNeill said his wife, Wendy, also is planning to retire in December. FOX8 declined to provide McNeill's age.

"There is nothing wrong. I'm happy here. I still love my work and my co-workers. It just feels like the right time," McNeill wrote. "This decision comes with a full heart and a lot of gratitude."

McNeill said he is "especially looking forward to spending more time with my wife, who has been incredibly patient and supportive throughout the many years of demanding schedules and long hours."

He added, "We're both looking forward to more flexible lives, including more and earlier evening meals, travel and time, both together and with our family."

Judging from the Facebook comments on McNeill's announcement, many viewers were convinced he would never retire.

Count Jim Himes, FOX8's station manager, among them. Himes said on Monday that McNeill would have been welcome to stay in his anchor chair for several more years, if not decades.

"This retirement is completely on Neill's terms," Himes said. "This was his time, his decision, and we respect that. What a great run."

McNeill joined WGHP on Oct. 3, 1983, fresh from working at WKFT-TV in Fayetteville while a student at UNC-Chapel Hill.

McNeill's path at WGHP started as a reporter, then anchoring the morning and noon news, co-anchoring the weekend news, co-anchoring the 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. broadcasts, and adding the 6 p.m. to his duties in 2001. He was also the original anchor of the 10 p.m. broadcast in 1995.

McNeill took on the role of WGHP's consumer reporter, Wednesday's Child reporter and moved on to producing the "Newsmakers: Road to Success" streaming series of interviews addressing the pertinent topics of the day.

It also includes his involvement in hosted holiday concerts, promoting Gifts for Kids and telethons during natural disasters. His work with Type 1 Diabetes (formerly JDRF) helped raise millions of dollars.

"Neill has reported on it all," FOX8's Vice President of News Kevin Daniels said in an employee memo Monday announcing McNeill's decision.

"At the core of everything was keeping the viewer informed with facts," Daniels said. "He also made our community better. Neill understood and embraced the idea that local television news can teach, illuminate and inspire, and he's done it for nearly 45 years."

Justin Catanoso, a Triad journalist for 25 years before becoming a Wake Forest University journalism professor in 2011, said McNeill "has long personified the essential importance of fair and independent local news in a community like the Piedmont Triad."

Catanoso worked at the News & Record for 11 years and as executive editor with Triad Business Journal for 13 years.

"We have trusted him and his reporting staff because his own commitment to the Triad and quality local news have always been so evident and transparent," Catanoso said. "Here's hoping his legacy endures at FOX8."

Himes said just one example of McNeill's professionalism is providing FOX8 with seven months of notice before retiring.

"He's an anomaly, spending 43 years with one TV station in one community," Himes said. "He knows this community very well, a trusted voice for all the stories he's been on the desk for that have affected our lives. There is a real relationship between Neill and our viewers.

"We've got him for seven more months, and we're going to love on him during that time. It's a wonderful thing to celebrate."

McNeill stressed that the next seven months will be business as usual in his duties.

"While I'm looking ahead to this next chapter, I want to be clear - there is still important work to be done," he wrote. "During the next seven months, I remain fully committed to bringing you the news and stories that matter most," including the Nov. 3 general election, and "finishing strong together."

He added, "It's been the honor of a lifetime to serve this community, to share your stories, and to be welcomed into your homes day after day, year after year. Your trust, loyalty, and support have meant more to me than I could ever fully express. You have truly been a part of my extended family."

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