WASHINGTON, D.C. - National Public Radio's CFO Jim Elder admitted Tuesday that they have let payments for their popular Morning Edition host Bob Edwards lapse. "We've never made any secret of the fact that we're not a rich organization," explained Elder, "And while we appreciate the good product that Bob has turned out for us, we just haven't been able to keep up with his costs. The hosting company approached us with an ultimatum: pay up, or they were taking him back. We didn't have any choice."

"Well, of course, I'm sad to be leaving," remarked Edwards;, "But business is business and I think we all understand that. From what I understand, I'll be staying on for a few months until Premier finds another slot for me."

"We all love Bob," said Senior Correspondent Noah Adams, "This is a tragic loss for all NPR listeners. But it should also serve as a wake-up call. How many listeners are not paying their fair share? How many are mooching off the contributions of others, instead of becoming an NPR member themselves? Maybe if a few of these people would get up off their lazy pocketbooks and share a little wealth, we wouldn't be having this conversation right now!" After a moment, he added, "I'm sorry, I'm not normally like this. It's all so unfair."

Premier Personalities, the hosting company that owns Edwards, refused to comment on the matter.
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