by Claire O'Neill

NPR's Carl Kasell

Carl Kasell during his early years in radio

In 1979, NPR's Carl Kasell delivered the first newscast for Morning Edition. For 30 years, he's been the voice we wake up to, have breakfast with, drive to. Now, he has finally decided he'd like to sleep in —- which until today meant snoozing until 1:05 a.m.

Hear his 1979 newscast, and please note the catchy Morning Edition jingle:

Although he's not retiring, Kasell is leaving his post with Morning Edition to focus on other duties — and a reasonable schedule at NPR. Hear his reflections in an interview with NPR's Renee Montagne, and view some photos from his final two appearances as a Morning Edition newscaster. But don't say goodbye to his voice. You can still hear him on the game show Wait, Wait... Don't Tell Me!

  • Carl Kasell, who has been a cornerstone of NPR morning programming for 30 years, retired as a newscaster on Dec. 30.
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    Carl Kasell, who has been a cornerstone of NPR morning programming for 30 years, retired as a newscaster on Dec. 30.
    All photos by David Gilkey/NPR
  • Fellow newscaster Jean Cochran gives Kasell a kiss at 10:55 a.m., moments before he delivered his final newscast.
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    Fellow newscaster Jean Cochran gives Kasell a kiss at 10:55 a.m., moments before he delivered his final newscast.
  • Kasell enters the studio to read the final newscast of his career. A veteran broadcaster, his news career spanned more than 50 years.
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    Kasell enters the studio to read the final newscast of his career. A veteran broadcaster, his news career spanned more than 50 years.
  • Newscaster Barbara Klein congratulates Kasell after his final news update.
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    Newscaster Barbara Klein congratulates Kasell after his final news update.
  • NPR employees line the hallway of the Morning Edition newsroom to cheer for Kasell. He was feted with speeches, champagne and cake following his final 11 a.m. newscast.
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    NPR employees line the hallway of the Morning Edition newsroom to cheer for Kasell. He was feted with speeches, champagne and cake following his final 11 a.m. newscast.
  • On Dec. 29, Kasell discusses a newscast with senior producer Dave Pignanelli (right) and fellow newscaster Barbara Klein. Kasell regularly arrived at work at 2 a.m.
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    On Dec. 29, Kasell discusses a newscast with senior producer Dave Pignanelli (right) and fellow newscaster Barbara Klein. Kasell regularly arrived at work at 2 a.m.
  • Kasell went on the air once an hour in the morning to read the news.
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    Kasell went on the air once an hour in the morning to read the news.
  • Kasell joined NPR in 1975 as a part-time newscaster for Weekend All Things Considered. He became a full-time NPR newscaster on weekday mornings in 1979.
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    Kasell joined NPR in 1975 as a part-time newscaster for Weekend All Things Considered. He became a full-time NPR newscaster on weekday mornings in 1979.
  • Jim Howard (left) edits the newscast, while Kasell works on his scripts in preparation for going on the air, on Dec. 29.
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    Jim Howard (left) edits the newscast, while Kasell works on his scripts in preparation for going on the air, on Dec. 29.
  • Before moving to Washington in 1965, Kasell was a morning DJ and newscaster at WGBR-AM in Goldsboro, N.C. He also spent 10 years at radio station WAVA in Arlington, Va., first as morning anchor, then as news director.
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    Before moving to Washington in 1965, Kasell was a morning DJ and newscaster at WGBR-AM in Goldsboro, N.C. He also spent 10 years at radio station WAVA in Arlington, Va., first as morning anchor, then as news director.
  • Kasell, who woke up at 1 a.m. to get ready for work, talks with Morning Edition producer Claudette Habermann and director Van Williamson at NPR's headquarters in Washington.
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    Kasell, who woke up at 1 a.m. to get ready for work, talks with Morning Edition producer Claudette Habermann and director Van Williamson at NPR's headquarters in Washington.
  • Although he will no longer be doing the morning newscast, Kasell will remain as official judge and scorekeeper for NPR's weekly news quiz show, Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! which premiered in January 1998.
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    Although he will no longer be doing the morning newscast, Kasell will remain as official judge and scorekeeper for NPR's weekly news quiz show, Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! which premiered in January 1998.
  • Kasell, who is much beloved by co-workers and listeners alike, has more than 4,500 friends on his official Facebook page. Winners on Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me! get Kasell's voice on their answering machines or voicemail.
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    Kasell, who is much beloved by co-workers and listeners alike, has more than 4,500 friends on his official Facebook page. Winners on Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me! get Kasell's voice on their answering machines or voicemail.
  • Kasell, 75, will continue to work as an ambassador for NPR, visiting member stations around the country and helping out with fundraising.
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    Kasell, 75, will continue to work as an ambassador for NPR, visiting member stations around the country and helping out with fundraising.
  • "I hear the word 'retirement' a lot concerning my situation," Kasell said, "and the only thing I'm retiring is my alarm clock."
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    "I hear the word 'retirement' a lot concerning my situation," Kasell said, "and the only thing I'm retiring is my alarm clock."

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