WASHINGTON (AP) — NPR says Melissa Block is stepping down as host of the flagship newsmagazine "All Things Considered" after 12 years anchoring the national broadcast.

The public radio network said Monday that Block will become a special correspondent for NPR, producing profiles, long-form stories and series on critical issues of the day. Block will also guest host NPR programs and develop podcasts from her reporting.

NPR has not announced who will replace Block. "All Things Considered" is co-hosted by Robert Siegel and Audie Cornish. The newsmagazine draws about 12 million listeners a week. Block's last broadcast is Aug. 14.

Block is a 30-year veteran of NPR. She joined the network in 1985 as an editorial assistant for "All Things Considered." She later became a senior producer and New York correspondent for NPR.