You know the ratings book has started when the first longtime Anchor announces that they are going to retire.

WVEC (Norfolk) longtime Anchor David Alan announced Tuesday evening that he will be leaving 13News Now after 23 years of anchoring the Hampton Roads area's evening newscasts. During the 6 p.m. newscast, Alan shared with viewers that May 24th (last day of the book) would be his final broadcast from the 13News Now anchor desk.

Alan, who joined the WVEC newsroom in 2000, has anchored 13News Now's weekday newscasts at 5, 5:30, 6, and 11 p.m. over the years. His contributions to the station often found him moving out from behind the desk in the studio.

"People have asked me if I'm counting down the days until my final broadcast," he said during Tuesday's newscast. "Actually, I'm treasuring each and every day that we have together, and that I get to be a part of this talented news team. We truly are family." "Most importantly, I want to thank you for trusting me to tell your stories, and there are many more stories I want to tell."