"Mornings, Ms. Montagne said, come down to tone — “a sense of where people are in their emotional life.” For that reason the oft-repeated words after stories, “You’re listening to ‘Morning Edition from NPR News,’ ” are always read live, never recorded, “because you want to get the tone right,” she said. The tone after a crime piece differs from that after a stock market preview."

Interesting behind-the-scenes article. I love this small detail and its great truth—mornings (and beginnings and endings and most of everything) comes down to tone.

‘Morning Edition’ on NPR, Broadcast by a Team on 2 Coasts - NYT

(Also, NYT reporting on NPR? Be still, my liberal heart!)