Longtime WBUR Morning Edition Host Bob Oakes to Assume New Role

After more than 27 years at the helm of Morning Edition, Bob Oakes — whose alarm goes off weekdays at 2:30 a.m. — plans to hit the snooze button. He’ll soon step away from the anchor chair and kick-off  2021 as Senior Correspondent, pursuing a mix of features, profiles and political reports.

“As the voice of Morning Edition, Bob has been a rock, the person the region relies on to steady us through a crisis from 9/11 to the blizzard of 2015,” said Dan Mauzy, Executive Editor for News, WBUR. “He's fearless, but always respectful, interviews with newsmakers have brought light and accountability. Debates, live election specials, remote broadcasts and countless features — Bob has done it all. And along the way, he’s brought many moments of delight and wonder.”

In Oakes’ new role, he’ll have the time and the freedom to dive deep into reporting and storytelling. He already has plans for an in-depth story on “how to find peace of mind through the art of fishing.”

“After hosting Morning Edition in parts of four different decades — it’s time to move over and move on to the next phase of my career,” said Oakes. “It's been an enormous privilege to be part of our listeners’ mornings for many years and a privilege to help WBUR grow over time. I’m excited about this next chapter and anxious to begin it.”

WBUR will begin a national search for Oakes’ replacement. In the meantime, check out Bob’s reflections on the 40th anniversary of Morning Edition.