Former CBS Chicago Anchor Bill Kurtis to Retire from NPR's "Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!"

Kurtis, who spent decades as a prominent TV news anchor in Chicago, is stepping down from his role as judge on the popular NPR quiz show.

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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Bill Kurtis, a longtime CBS Chicago news anchor known to generations of Chicagoans, is retiring from his role as a judge on the NPR weekly news quiz show "Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!" after 12 years. Kurtis, 85, said being on the show has been a "consistent joy" and that he will miss the "outrageously talented people" he has worked with.

Why it matters

Kurtis is a Chicago broadcasting legend, having spent decades as the principal anchor at CBS Chicago and becoming a familiar face to viewers in the city. His retirement from "Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!" marks the end of an era for the popular NPR program, which has featured Kurtis' wit and expertise as a judge since 2014.

The details

Kurtis first joined CBS Chicago in 1966 as a street reporter and later became the principal anchor, working alongside commentator Walter Jacobson. The duo helped turn the Channel 2 News into a ratings powerhouse in Chicago in the 1970s. Kurtis also had stints at CBS News on the national level, co-anchoring the CBS Morning News. After retiring from CBS Chicago in 2013, Kurtis joined "Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!" as a judge in 2014, taking over the role from the late NPR newsman Carl Kasell.

  • Kurtis first arrived in Chicago in 1966.
  • Kurtis joined CBS News on the national level as a West Coast correspondent in 1970.
  • Kurtis returned to CBS Chicago as principal anchor in 1973.
  • Kurtis served another stint at CBS News national from 1982 to 1985.
  • Kurtis officially joined "Wait Wait! Don't Tell Me..." in 2014.

The players

Bill Kurtis

A longtime CBS Chicago news anchor known to generations of Chicagoans, who is retiring from his role as a judge on the NPR weekly news quiz show "Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!" after 12 years.

Walter Jacobson

A commentator and anchorman who worked alongside Kurtis at CBS Chicago, helping turn the Channel 2 News into a ratings powerhouse in the 1970s.

Carl Kasell

The late NPR newsman who previously served as the judge and scorekeeper on "Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!" before Kurtis took over the role in 2014.

Peter Sagal

The host of "Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!" who has worked with Kurtis during his 12-year tenure as a judge on the show.

NPR

The public radio network that produces the weekly news quiz show "Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!".

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What they’re saying

“There is no better way to stay young than to surround yourself with this crew of outrageously talented people who have no fear in taking down anything and anyone with a well-placed joke. Then to let me give it voice and be standing there when the roar of laughter comes rolling back from the audience. No better feeling! What an incredible chapter Wait Wait…Don't Tell Me is in my life.”

— Bill Kurtis (NPR)

What’s next

Kurtis' last show on "Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!" will air on Memorial Day weekend.

The takeaway

Kurtis' retirement from "Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!" marks the end of an era for the popular NPR program, which has benefited from his wit and expertise as a judge for the past 12 years. His departure is a significant loss for the show, but also a testament to his long and storied career in Chicago broadcasting.