Nearly six months after his death, Walter Cronkite's voice is leaving the "CBS Evening News."

His introduction of anchor Katie Couric was replaced yesterday by a voiceover featuring actor Morgan Freeman.

The legendary CBS News anchor recorded the introduction, played at the start of most newscasts, when Couric started at CBS in 2006. Cronkite's voice was kept on the air even after his death July 17.

"As comforting as it is to look back on the great career that Walter had, we're looking forward now and we just felt it was the right time to make the move that at some point had to be made," said CBS News and Sports President Sean McManus.

Having Freeman on board gives CBS the flexibility to record different intros when Couric has special reports and is on location, he said.

BACHARACH WON'T BE BACK FOR A WHILE

A publicist says Burt Bacharach is postponing several concerts as he recovers from back surgery. Publicist Linda Dozoretz said the composer, 81, is recovering at a hospital after the New Year's Eve surgery.

She said Bacharach's prognosis is excellent, but he will need to postpone concerts through mid-March.

Performances in Australia, New Zealand and Palm Beach, Fla., will be rescheduled for later this year or early next year.

MCCONAUGHEY, GIRLFRIEND, HAVE 2ND CHILD

Actor Matthew McConaughey and his girlfriend have announced the birth of their second child — a baby girl.

The actor says on his Web site that Vida Alves McConaughey was born Sunday. She weighed 7 pounds, 7 ounces. McConaughey said his girlfriend, model Camila Alves, is "recovering wonderfully" and the couple welcomed "this little lady into our family."

The couple had a son, Levi, in 2008.

STERN RADIO-SHOW SIDEKICK HOSPITALIZED

A publicist for Artie Lange says the comedian and radio personality has been hospitalized.

In an e-mail sent yesterday to The Associated Press, the publicist declined to elaborate, saying, "Artie has chosen to keep all information on this matter between him and his doctor."

Lange, who lives in Hoboken, N.J., has battled drug addiction. The 42-year-old, best known as Howard Stern's radio sidekick, has been absent from Stern's Sirius radio show for a month. On yesterday's show, Stern said Lange isn't leaving the program.

HIRSCH TO SCALE NEW HEIGHTS IN AFRICA

Emile Hirsch is on his way to Africa to climb the continent's highest peak.

The "Milk" and "Into the Wild" star is joining other celebrities for a weeklong trek up Mount Kilimanjaro. The Summit on the Summit expedition, which begins Thursday, aims to use star power to help raise awareness about the need for clean water worldwide.