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David Crabtree anchors final WRAL newscast of his 40-year TV career

David Crabtree has had a 40-year career in television news, including the last 28 years at WRAL.

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Wednesday marks the end of an era: Longtime WRAL News anchor David Crabtree is officially retiring from the WRAL anchor desk.

WRAL News at 6 p.m. Wednesday marks Crabtree’s final newscast at the station.

While not retiring from the business, Crabtree will move into a management role, as interim chief executive officer of PBS North Carolina (PBSNC).

Back in 2017, Crabtree and WRAL announced his retirement, effective late 2018. The retirement was postponed, and Crabtree has remained at the anchor desk, primarily anchoring WRAL News at 5 and 6 p.m.

Governor provides David Crabtree with The Order of the Long Leaf Pine award

On Wednesday, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper issued The Order of the Long Leaf Pine award for Crabtree. The award is given to people who have made significant contributions to the state and their communities through their exemplary service and exceptional accomplishments.

“Reposing special confidence in the integrity, learning and zeal of David Crabtree,” Cooper wrote.

People named to The Order become North Carolina “ambassadors” with their names and award dates recorded on a roster maintained by The Order of the Long Leaf Pine Society.

"David, you're joining the company of so many remarkable people who've dedicated their lives to our great state," Cooper said in a congratulatory video. "For more than 25 years, you've kept North Carolinians informed about important events that have shaped the Triangle, our state and our nation, and you've done it with courage, understanding and compassion."

Raleigh mayor issues proclamation for David Crabtree

Raleigh Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin issued a proclamation, declaring Wednesday is officially David Crabtree Day.

“David has been a trusted voice we have all come to recognize during his 30 years of work here in the Capital city, covering stories that brought tears to our eyes and others that brought joy to our hearts on topics ranging from Holocaust survivors to hurricanes to astronauts returning from space,” Baldwin wrote. “While the business is a fast-paced environment, David is known as the ‘deep thinker’ at WRAL.

“Whether it’s a newsroom meeting or a conversation among colleagues, David will take in every detail, look at it from every angle and ponder his response, inevitably ending it with ‘Thanks for listening.’”

Baldwin wrote that city leaders will continue to cheer on Crabtree has he pursues his new role with PBS North Carolina.

“We wish you all the best,” Baldwin wrote.

Bishop Michael Francis Burbidge thanks David Crabtree

Bishop Michael Francis Burbidge served as the bishop of the Diocese of Raleigh from June 2006 to November 2016.

Burbidge left Raleigh to serve as the bishop of the Diocese of Arlington, Virginia. He recalled meeting Crabtree when he first came to the city of Oaks.

“At that press conference, you were one of the first to ask a question,” Burbidge recalled. “I remember it. It was a good question, a significant one and one that needed to be asked.

“And you did so with sincerity and respect.”

Burbidge called Crabtree “a true professional.”

“I thank you for those times you asked a difficult and challenging questions,” Burbidge said.

Burbidge also recalled Crabtree’s assignment of a day in the life of a bishop.

“I got to know you a lot better, and I saw the person you are,” Burbidge said. “[You are] a man, first of all, who loved his work, who was passionate about it, and reflected great dedication in carrying it out.”

Burbidge said he and Crabtree talked about faith, life and issues impacting people.

“I gained a great deal from your insights,” Burbidge said.

David Crabtree’s TV career

From Tennessee to Colorado to North Carolina, Crabtree has told stories through his eyes. It includes storytelling we not only see, we feel. His career spans 40 years, 28 of them at WRAL News.

Crabtree is a native of Tennessee, graduating from Middle Tennessee State University before becoming a television reporter in Nashville for WKRN.

His first full-time anchor job came at WITN in Washington, NC. He then worked in Denver, Colorado, as a reporter and anchor for both KMGH and KCNC.

Since 1994, Crabtree has anchored and reported for WRAL News in Raleigh and currently anchors the top-rated WRAL News at 6 p.m. every weeknight. Crabtree also attended the Divinity School at Duke University and in 2019 received a master degree in Theological Studies.

Crabtree is well-known for his field reporting and anchoring traveling the state, country and world reporting for WRAL News. He was part of the WRAL team who took the first HD camera into the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican. Crabtree covered John Glenn's return to space, more than a dozen hurricanes, several presidential inaugurations, many political conventions and three papal visits. He went to the funerals for Mother Teresa, Pope John Paul II and Nelson Mandela.

In April, Crabtree went to Poland to tell stories of Ukrainian refugees and to witness the human toll of Russia’s bloody invasion.

In his career, Crabtree has won a DuPont Award, 16 Emmys, multiple Radio Television News Directors Association Reporter of the Year awards (1998, 1999, 2000, 2001), a Gabriel Award and the 2014 North Carolina Association of Broadcasters Anchor of the Year.

Next on WRAL News

Who will you see on WRAL News at 6 moving forward? A couple of very familiar faces. Gerald Owens will join Debra Morgan to co-anchor the 6 p.m. News after Memorial Day.

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