Stone Phillips

Dropping Anchor: Dateline Cuts Stone Phillips

In a cost-cutting move, NBC News will drop Stone Phillips from Dateline when the veteran newsman's contract expires at the end of June. "It's been a wonderful 15 years," Phillips says in a statement cited by the AP. "I'm profoundly appreciative of the many friends and colleagues, past and present, who have been a part of the Dateline family. This is a great news division with a bright future. I wish the people of NBC News all the best."Since Phillips won't be replaced, Ann Curry will continue as coanchor, with other Dateline reporters pitching in as on-air hosts.