Carl Kasell, a signature voice of NPR News for decades, is stepping down from the comedy news quiz show "Wait, Wait ... Don't Tell Me!" and retiring from the network this spring.
Kasell, who turns 80 in April, has been a recognizable voice on NPR for decades. He was a newscaster for 30 years on "Morning Edition" until 2009. His radio career spans half a century, starting as a morning deejay and newscaster at WGBR-AM in Goldsboro, N.C.
NPR announced Kasell's retirement Tuesday. After three decades as a newscaster, Kasell became the official judge and scorekeeper of the Chicago-based show "Wait, Wait ... Don't Tell Me!" Competition winners on the show get a prize of his voice on their phone answering machine.
Kasell says his time on "Wait, Wait" has been his favorite years at NPR because he could meet and talk to the audiences he felt he knew.
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