See the Columbus TV anchors, reporters and broadcasters who retired in 2023

After decades of bringing the Columbus area up-to-the-second updates and coverage of topics ranging from politics to sports to gardening and much more, several familiar broadcasters announced they were leaving the airwaves in 2023.

The Dispatch compiled a list of now-retired journalists whose faces and names graced our TV screens for years and who announced that they're hanging up their mics this year.

Maria Durant, the former "Good Day Columbus" weekend anchor, announced her retirement in June after 26 years of working at the WSYX ABC6 and WITE FOX28 stations.

"It is just the right time," she said in a Facebook message at the time of her announcement. "I will now be able to spend more time with my family, share weekends with my husband, go to church together on Sunday mornings, visit more with my parents, and will be able to travel to see our son while he's away at school in Boston."

Durant has won six Emmy awards for her work and multiple Associated Press and Society of Professional Journalists awards.

Durant has been a longtime advocate for cancer awareness, research and treatment, and rides in Pelotonia, a charity that raises money for cancer research. The two-time cancer survivor has been open about her battle with the disease and her charity work.

She was initially diagnosed in 2006, and it made a return in 2019. Even in the face of a second bout, Durant expressed optimism.

"I have beat it before, so it's all good...I also have a strong faith in the Lord that will help me and everyone else get through this," Durant told the Dispatch in 2019.

Lu Ann Stoia

Lu Ann Stoia, an Emmy award-winning journalist who reported in Columbus for over a decade at ABC 6 and FOX 28 and spent 48 years in communications, announced in February that she would not be renewing her contract with the station.

"Journalism has been my 'calling,' and now I am looking forward to serving our community in new ways," she stated in a Facebook post. "What an awesome run. A big thank you to all who have been there along the way."

At the time of her announcement, Lu Ann made it clear that she was not retiring but instead "re-firing" as she moved on to the next chapter in her life. According to her LinkedIn account, she is now freelancing.

Tino Ramos

After almost 30 years with 10TV in Columbus, Tino Ramos retired in February.

Ramos began his career in 1986 as an anchor and reporter with WLIO in Lima, OH, where he earned several awards for his general assignment reporting. He then joined WNWO in Toledo in 1990 as a reporter and became the youngest news director in 75 markets, according to 10TV.

Ramos joined WBNS in 1994 as an anchor and reporter, earning several Associated Press awards and Emmy nominations.

As for his retirement plans, Ramos said he will spend more time with his family and is looking forward to "seeing the sunset" after years of being on early morning shifts.

"Even though I'm stepping away from the news biz, I'm not stepping away from central Ohio," Ramos said. "I love Columbus, and I just hope people still stop to say 'hi' when I'm in the store, park or running trail. Thank you, thank you. I can't say it enough," said Tino.

Ramos is married to his wife of 20 years, and they have one son. Ramos said he looks forward to making them "his story."

Ann Fisher

Ann Fisher's friendly voice and conversational tone about a wide range of topics became famous in Ohio households as host and executive producer of WOSU Public Media's "All Sides with Ann Fisher," which attracted 65,000 listeners each week.

She joined WOSU in 2009 and developed a loyal following through daily talk about politics and public affairs that touched all sides of issues that shaped life in central Ohio. The veteran journalist and talk show host retired in May after more than four decades in the news industry and 13 years with WOSU.

During her time at WOSU, Fisher led coverage of landmark Supreme Court decisions, the COVID-19 pandemic and the George Floyd racial justice protests. She has interviewed several notable and famous people, including former president Jimmy Carter, famous journalists Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein, and great historians and filmmakers.

WOSU announced in September that former Columbus Dispatch reporter Anna Staver would take over the "All Sides" talk show. Staver covered state politics with The Dispatch and wrote in-depth about a range of topics concerning the Statehouse, including finance, budgets, gun control, and legislative races.

Jeff Rimer

Jeff Rimer's career as a sports reporter lasted almost 60 years before he announced his retirement in October. Before joining the Columbus Blue Jackets as an announcer, he boasted an illustrious career as a sports reporter, anchor, and host covering professional hockey and baseball in both the United States and Canada.

"There's no question the highlight of my career was coming to Columbus," he said. "This is a great organization, the fans, and I can't think The Fifth Line enough. They are the story behind this Blue Jackets hockey team."

Rimer joined the CBJ team in 2004 as a play-by-play announcer and stayed on with the team for 20 seasons and also hosted a regular segment on 97.1 The Fan in Columbus during the Blue Jacket season.

In retirement, Rimer looks forward to spending more time with his wife, Ferrel, and their two kids and three grandchildren.

smeighan@dispatch.com

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus TV anchors and reporters who retired in 2023