Longtime WTVD (Raleigh Durham) Anchor Larry Stogner shocked viewers on when he told them he is retiring immediately. 

Sadly it was not a very happy announcement.

Stogner surprised viewers with his plans to retire and what made it sad was he told his fans he is suffering from ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease.

 Stogner has anchored the 6 p.m. news at WTVD continuously since 1982, making him one of the longest-serving anchors in the nation.

In his goodbye, Stgner said to viewers that many noticed that his speech was getting slower and then told them he has ALS "for which there is no cure."

He said that over the summer he took the ALS ice bucket challenge not knowing at the time that months later he would get the deadly disease.  

The longtime Anchor said he is stepping down immediately to fight ALS and spend time with his wife and family.

He did say that he would return in two weeks to say his final goodbye and chat with his co-workers.

We wish Larry all the best and let's hope we can find a cure to ALS ASAP.