Longtime WKRG (Mobile) Anchor Mel Showers will be retiring from the anchor chair next month, after almost 50 years.

Showers began working at WKRG part time in 1969. He became a full-time employee in March 1970, working as a booth announcer, providing live station identification and reading live commercials. In 1974, Showers became a reporter for WKRG.

"Mel Showers is beloved by people all along the Gulf Coast," said Jesse Grear, Vice President and General Manager of WKRG. "Millions of viewers have watched Mel over the years. From reporting on cross burnings by the KKK, to the devastation brought by some of the country's most powerful tropical storms and hurricanes, Mel has been the voice of calm during some of the most dramatic times in Alabama history," Grear said.

While no longer anchoring the evening newscasts, Showers will continue to contribute to the Nexstar station as Anchor Emeritus with occasional special reports and providing his unique perspective on events impacting the Gulf Coast.

Peter Albrecht will will replace Showers on the anchor desk.

H/T WKRG