LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- WDRB Mornings' host Sterling Riggs is stepping away from the spotlight. 

After 13 years of early mornings, he made a bittersweet announcement this week that he is leaving television to focus on his family. 

The announcement came as a shock to all of us at WDRB, but we are happy that Sterling is putting his life and happiness first for once. 

A personal message from Sterling: 

Friday, September 27th will be my last day on WDRB Mornings.

Words can’t express what a wonderful ride it has been. Working alongside Candyce, Jude, Mike, Keith, Amanda, Chris, and everyone behind the scenes has been one of the greatest joys of my life. I will miss the team and our viewers tremendously.

I started co-anchoring the morning show at WDRB in 2011. Shortly after starting, the assistant news director called me into a private meeting and said, “I know you have a lot of pressure on you. Don’t let us down.” After 13 years and with the team’s great success in ratings, I hope I exceeded any expectations. Over the years, I’ve worked tirelessly to be consistent, professional, entertaining, have high moral character, and earn viewers' trust and respect. I’ve been getting up at 2:45 a.m. to anchor roughly 2,860 shows. It’s time to take a break.

Looking back on my time at WDRB, I’ve had the honor of covering some of Louisville’s biggest stories. I got a front row seat to cover the Kentucky Derby 13 times. I’ll Have Another won my first Derby in 2012. (My mom attended with me.) Mystick Dan won the last one I covered in 2024. I feel our morning team brought our A game when the lights were the brightest. What an incredible journey it has been.

So, what’s next? We are staying in Louisville. This is our home and this is where we will raise our children. I plan to spend more time with my wife and children and take more trips to see family in Florida. Heck, my grandma is 95 and always asks when I’m coming home. I also plan to pursue some exciting new business opportunities and support my wife in her career. She’s a rockstar.

This is not good bye, it’s see you later. Thanks for being my friend, watching our show, and for your support over 13 wonderful years. It means the world to me that our viewers got to celebrate my marriage to Lauren, and the birth of my two children. Friends, you have watched my family grow and have shown an abundance of kindness. I’m forever grateful.

Please keep in touch and feel free to send me messages. I will respond to every single message.

God Bless,

Sterling Riggs

A message from Candyce 

I couldn’t be happier for Sterling, but I will miss him terribly. We have worked together for 13 years, and I can honestly say I have enjoyed every single moment. Sterling doesn’t do anything halfway; he brings his best each day and does it with kindness and a smile. I’m happy he can now devote that energy to his family.

Many people know we carpooled to work. I will miss that most as we would share stories about our families and problem-solve after a hard day at work. Who knows—I might drop by his house now to carpool to Costco, for old times’ sake.

Sterling will forever be one of my dearest friends. I know he will be cheering for me and praying for me always, and he knows I will do the same for him.

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