CBS News said Tuesday it is cutting ties to Dan Rather, concluding a messy professional divorce with the hard-charging anchor who had worked there for 44 years until things went sour over a story about the president’s military service.

His departure before the November end of his contract is an acknowledgment that CBS News wants to leave the Rather era behind as it awaits the arrival of Katie Couric.

Rather, 74, has no intention of retiring. He is weighing an offer to do a weekly show at the tiny HDNet, a high-definition network offered on some cable and satellite systems.

“It just isn’t in me to sit around doing nothing,” he said.

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