CBS: Report of Rather leaving 'completely and utterly untrue'

NEW YORK (CNN) -- An Internet report that Dan Rather is leaving "CBS Evening News" is "completely and utterly untrue," a spokeswoman for the show told CNN on Monday.

CBS Evening News spokeswoman Kim Actar denied a report by Matt Drudge, author of the Drudgereport.com, that CBS News has approached NBC News Washington Bureau Chief Tim Russert to replace Rather.

NBC News echoed the denial.

Spokeswoman Allison Gollust said any report that Russert is leaving NBC is "completely false."

Drudge cites sources at CBS who say Rather, 69, is preparing to give up the anchor chair after a 20-year reign because ratings for the "Evening News" have hit an all-time low.

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