Since 1981, she’s greeted Anchorage television viewers and informed them on the top stories of the day as a news anchor. Come January 26, her appearances will likely be limited to locales around town where she may be doing errands or enjoying life off-camera.
Maria Downey is retiring from KTUU-2, owned by Gray Television.
She made the announcement on Facebook, and then later shared the news with KTUU viewers. Her colleagues, she said, were aware of her plans “for quite some time” and kept the secret. “It’s bittersweet, but along with the new year comes a new chapter for me,” she said. “While I will really miss covering the news of this great state and sharing that all with you each night, it’s now time to spend more time with my family and friends … and maybe even have a normal dinner hour!”
KTVU VP/GM Nancy Johnson said of Downey, “She’s been the steady voice, covering good stories and bad with compassion and dedication. So many Alaskans grew up watching Maria in their homes that she’s really like family, warmly known across the state as just ‘Maria.’”
Downey is a graduate of the University of Florida.
