Longtime St. Louis Anchor to Retire

It's Ratings...Everyone announce you're retiring!

Earlier we told you that longtime Ft. Wayne Anchor Melissa Long announced on the first day of the Feb. Book that she was retiring at the end of the year.

Because you know, you can never announce news like that outside of ratings.

Well, Long wasn't the only one.

After 40+ years of experience as a broadcast journalist, KTVI (St. Louis) Anchor Tom O’Neal announced that he is also hanging it up.

Although it's January, O'Neal said he would not be stepping down until July.  He co-anchors KTVI's 2 weeknights at 5:00 P.M. and 9:00 P.M. Newscast. 

 “Tom O’Neal is a winner, a great competitor, and a true professional,” said Spencer Koch, President & General Manager of KTVI FOX 2 & KPLR 11. “His contributions to the community, his service to our viewers, and his dedication to his craft are legendary. Tom’s leadership has helped take our newscasts to a new level, and for that we are grateful,” added Koch.

 "It's been a great run, and I've been very fortunate to work in the same town for 40 years,” said O’Neal. “It's hard to beat the wonderful people in St. Louis and the talented people I've worked with over the years. I'll still be around, just taking it a little easier," he added.

The station also announced that they have hired O'Neal's replacement. Vic Faust joins KTVI coming from WXYZ in Detroit, where he currently co-anchors the morning and noon news programs.

He will join the FOX 2 News team April 13, 2015 as a reporter and will replace O’Neal in July.