Rather Exits CBS

NEW YORK, June 21: After 44 years, Dan Rather and CBS News
are parting ways, with the anchor said to be mulling an offer to do a weekly
series at the cable network HDNet.

Rather was the anchor of the CBS Evening News until March 2005, when he announced he was leaving
the post after almost 25 years. At the time, he said he would continue to do
pieces for 60 Minutes. His
decision came a few months after his report on President Bush’s National Guard
service was found to have been based on forged documents.

CBS News is currently finalizing plans for a prime-time
special on Rather’s career for broadcast this fall. CBS News also will make a
contribution to the anchor’s alma mater, now called Sam Houston State
University.