6 days ago
Legendary Sacramento TV journalist Stan Atkinson has died at 92. A fearless foreign correspondent and local icon, he leaves behind a legacy of integrity, civic engagement, and dedication to journalism.
Sacramento TV journalist, passed away at 92
UPDATED: May 27, 2025 00:38 IST
Renowned Sacramento television journalist Stan Atkinson has died at the age of 92, his family confirmed. Atkinson was a mainstay in local broadcasting, with a career spanning nearly 40 years at two of the city’s leading stations, KCRA and KOVR. Known for his calm presence and fearless reporting, Atkinson became one of the most respected names in regional journalism.
As reported by CBS News, Atkinson initially planned a career in radio, but a twist of fate led him to television. Recalling the early days during a 2024 interview on Primetime Sacramento, he said, “They told me, ‘You’re going back to work at the TV station.’ I told them, ‘I can’t—I don’t even have a coat and tie!’” That moment marked the beginning of his long and distinguished run on Sacramento's TV screens.
Reporting from Global Frontlines
Throughout his career, Atkinson didn’t shy away from danger. He reported from conflict zones around the world, including Cambodia, Afghanistan, and Serbia.
During one particularly harrowing assignment, he narrowly escaped injury when a sniper’s bullet grazed past him. “I felt a .30-caliber part of the hair on the back of my neck,” he once said. “It didn’t hit me, but it came close.”
He was also known for impactful investigative stories, including an early report that exposed troubling conditions at a hospital in Auburn.
A Lasting Legacy in Sacramento
Despite opportunities elsewhere, Atkinson chose to remain in Sacramento, a place he called “special.” His loyalty to local journalism made him a household name and a trusted figure in the community.
According to CBS News, after retiring from television in 1999, Atkinson remained active in civic affairs and enjoyed time with his large family. He was a grandfather to 14 and a great-grandfather to 18.
According to the family, a private service will be held to honor his life and legacy. Sacramento remembers Stan Atkinson not just as a news anchor, but as a pioneer of integrity and dedication in journalism.
ALSO READ: News anchor stays on air during labor, welcomes baby hours later
Published By:
Rivanshi Rakhrai
Published On:
May 27, 2025
