CBS 6 Journalist Tracy Sears Ends Career After Over 26 Years

CBS 6 Journalist Tracy Sears Ends Career After Over 26 Years

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Tracy Sears concludes 26 years at CBS 6

Tracy Sears anchored her final newscast for CBS 6 on Monday, ending a career that spanned more than two and a half decades in the Richmond region, WTVR.com reported.

The veteran journalist shared an emotional farewell with colleagues during the CBS 6 News at 4. Sears, who became a fixture of local broadcasting, reflected on the tension between her professional ambitions and her personal life.

“My whole life I’ve wanted two things. I wanted to be a mother, just like my own mom, and I wanted to be a broadcaster. And I was so scared that those two worlds could not align,” Sears said.

Sears noted that a cancer diagnosis during her third pregnancy forced a reevaluation of her career path. She indicated she was prepared to step away from the newsroom at that time.

Tracy Sears' Emotional Goodbye to CBS 6 After Years in Richmond

Sheryl Barnhouse, the news director at CBS 6 and a close friend of Sears, suggested a modified schedule. This allowed Sears to work a few days a week, providing a balance that let her remain in broadcasting while spending more time with her children.

A legacy of personal transparency

Sears’ career in Richmond began in November 2000, following a brief period of reporting in Denison, Texas. Since arriving, she has anchored the 6:30 and 11 p.m. Sunday newscasts for over ten years.

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In 2014, Sears chose to share her personal health struggles with her audience. She revealed she had been diagnosed with cancer while pregnant, a move she described as an effort to connect with others facing similar challenges.

“There’s a bond we all share,” Sears said regarding her decision to make her health journey public, adding that she hoped to make a difference through that transparency.

Her reporting has ranged from national tragedies and Oval Office interviews to local stories of community resilience. Colleagues have characterized her style as approachable and compassionate.

Tracy Sears and Mike Goldberg Say Goodbye As Your Sunday Evening News Team

Sears celebrated a milestone of 25 years at WTVR in November 2025. She is a graduate of George Mason University and previously interned in the White House press room.

Sears continues community involvement after leaving anchor desk

While she is leaving the anchor desk, Sears indicated her involvement with the Richmond community will continue. She stated that her next chapter involves community outreach and promised she is “not going too far.”

During her final broadcast, she expressed gratitude to the viewers who followed her work for over 26 years. She asked those who encounter her in public to offer a hug as she transitions into this new phase.

Sears’ departure marks the end of an era for the CBS 6 newsroom, where she served as a prominent voice for Central Virginia residents.

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