Beloved Kentucky news anchor with whopping 106 Emmys makes shock on-air announcement

Multi-award winner and WAVE news anchor John Boel has announced that he will be retiring in early 2025. 

The beloved Kentucky journalist took to Instagram earlier today to declare the culmination of his 40-year long career and how he intends to continue to help people.

Between his time at WLKY and WAVE, Boel has won a record 106 Emmys for his investigative work - with four this year alone. 

Additionally, he has also won 17 Edward R. Murrow Awards and two Eclipse Awards in his career. 

Multi-award winner and WAVE news anchor John Boel has announced that he will be retiring in early 2025

While he has spent years behind a camera, Boel is most known for his efforts to help people on the path of addiction recovery. 

The longtime triathlete went into rehab back in November 2010 and since recovering, has shared his story to help other sufferers. 

Boel has authored two books titled 'On the News ... In the News: A Journalist's Own Story of Recovery and Self-Discovery,' and 'Cast Away: Five Generations of Family Fish Stories' - with the former going in deep detail about his addiction journey. 

In his announcement, the revered journalist wrote: 'When I got to rehab in Nov 2010, I thought my life & career were over. Couple days after arriving, a counselor at Hazelden handed me the St Paul Pioneer Press because it had an article he wanted me to read. It happened to be about a guy I idolized in college named Don Shelby- a legendary anchor & I-Team leader at WCCO-TV. The guy I wanted to be like. 

While he has spent years behind a camera, Boel is most known for his efforts to people in the world of addiction recovery.

 The longtime triathlete went into rehab back in November 2010 and since making recovery, has shared his story to help other addiction sufferers

'The story was news to me. It detailed the plunge he suffered because of alcoholism. But he’d gone to treatment, turned around his life, and was happily retiring after a career fulfilled.

'They handed me that story to give me hope. But I sat there and wept because it all seemed so unreachable & impossible at that point in my crashed life.

'A wonderful thing happened after that. People encouraged me while at the same time delivering honest blows about my character defects- a long list. They told me I could get there too if I did what I was told and put it in the hands of a higher power. 

 The beloved Kentucky journalist took to Instagram earlier today to declare the culmination of his 40-year long career and how he intends to continue to help people

Boel has also authored two books named 'On the News... In the News: A Journalist's Own Story of Recovery and Self-Discovery,' and 'Cast Away: Five Generations of Family Fish Stories' - with the former going in deep detail about his addiction journey

In the same post, he revealed that his last telecast will be aired on February 28, 2025

'I got the same kind of encouragement, support & honesty from countless people after the plane landed back in Louisville and thereafter. 

'One thing led to another. An offer from WAVE. Job promotions. Incredible coworkers. Paid off debt. Journalism achievements. Better family life. Successful kids. Growth as a person. And now - I’m happy to announce my own retirement.

'I’ve spent 40 years in this biz trying to help people. But there are some others back in WI who need my help. I’m looking forward to doing that as a son/brother/dad/grandpa - instead of journalist.'

In the same post, he revealed that his last telecast will be on February 28, 2025. 

Boel shares two daughters, Kelsey and Brianna and a dog named Durango with his wife Brenda.