WBAL-TV 11 announced that veteran journalist and news anchor Stan Stovall is preparing for his eventual retirement in 2022.

Stovall, whose career as a local journalist spans more than five decades, will continue to anchor WBAL-TV 11’s market-leading 6 p.m. newscast as Andre Hepkins joins Deborah Weiner weeknights at 11 p.m. Hepkins will also continue to anchor WBAL-TV 11 News at 5 p.m. each weeknight with Ashley Hinson.

“Stan is a renowned journalist, receiving multiple awards from numerous organizations, including being named to the list of Influential Marylanders multiple times, with the most recent appointment coming in 2019,” WBAL-TV 11 President and General Manager Dan Joerres said in a statement. “Stan has made significant contributions to both our station and to the city of Baltimore. His commitment to local news over the past 50 years leaves an incredible legacy of journalistic excellence, and we look forward to many months of outstanding reporting to come before we celebrate the conclusion of his extraordinary career.”

Stan Stovall is one of the most recognizable faces in the Baltimore television market, having worked in the market for more than three decades.

Stovall rejoined the WBAL-TV 11 News team in April 2003 as co-anchor of the weekend edition of 11 News Today. His first tour of duty began in 1978 thru 1983 when her served as primary anchor for the weekday evening editions of 11 News.

Since his return to 11 News, Stovall has climbed the ladder quickly. In August 2003, he was promoted to co-anchor of the weekday editions of 11 News Today and 11 News at Noon. Then, in October 2003, he was promoted again to co-anchor 11 News at 5 p.m., adding to his morning duties. And, in December 2013, he was promoted again and named co-anchor of 11 News at 6 p.m. and 11 p.m.

Prior to rejoining WBAL-TV 11, Stovall served for 13 years as the primary evening news anchor at WMAR-TV in Baltimore.

Stovall began his broadcasting career in 1970 in Phoenix, Arizona, at age 17. He was the first African American TV news reporter in the state of Arizona. One year later, at the age of 18, he became the youngest TV news anchor in the United States.

In addition to working as a news anchor and reporter in Phoenix and Baltimore, Stovall has held similar positions in St. Louis and Philadelphia. In 1985, Stovall was honored with an Emmy Award that recognized him as the Best Television News Anchor in St. Louis.

While most of Stovall’s work during his five decades in broadcasting has been as a primary news anchor, over the years, he has simultaneously also worked as a reporter, producer, film photographer and film editor.

Stovall’s primary hobby is fitness, having been a former competitive powerlifter and bodybuilder for more than 30 years. He is a former four-time State Powerlifting Champion and holds the former bodybuilding titles of Junior Mr. Arizona, Mr. Maryland, Mr. South Atlantic and Mr. Delmarva.