“Words cannot express what a wonderful man Mel was,” said current News 5 anchor Devon Walsh. “He was my first co-anchor and mentor. He treated everyone with respect. His legacy is kindness, professionalism, and always wanting to make sure what we reported was correct and unbiased.”

As the WKRG family mourns the loss of legendary News Anchor Mel Showers, so are the viewers who grew up watching him. Mel was on air for half a century, becoming a household name. “You have certain TV shows that are like comfort shows to you,

Mel Showers, a pioneering figure in broadcast journalism and a staple on Alabama's Gulf Coast television for 50 years, has died at 78. Showers’ family announced his death, requesting “privacy and prayers” and stating that funeral arrangements would be shared at a later time,