NPR News Exec Steps Down

NPR’s VP for News, Bruce Drake, the network’s equivalent of editor-in-chief, announced today that he will step down at the end of the month. Drake has been VP for News since 2000, and originally joined NPR in 1991.

In the network press release, Executive VP Ken Stern said, “For the last 14 years, as NPR News has grown to become a singular and critical news voice in this country through its coverage of such events as Election 2000, 9/11 and its aftermath, the war in Iraq and most recently, Hurricane Katrina, Bruce has played a key role in our success. He brought a steady hand, careful news judgment and calm leadership as we covered each of these stories, and we will build on the strengths he provided us as we move ahead.”

The move took many NPRers by surprise today, although he’ll remain at NPR to help launch the Local News Initiative.

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