Paul Harvey has died. Word of his death comes from the ABC Radio Networks, his long-time employer.

The news commentator and talk-radio pioneer had a staccato delivery that made him one of the nation's most familiar voices.

An ABC spokesman says Harvey died Saturday surrounded by family members at a hospital in Phoenix, where he had a winter home. He was 90. His death came less than a year after the death of his wife and longtime producer, Lynne.

Harvey was known for his resonant voice and trademark delivery of "The Rest of the Story." He had been heard nationally since 1951, when he began his "News and Comment" for ABC Radio.

He became a heartland icon, delivering news and commentary with
a distinctive Midwestern flavor, telling his listeners: "Stand by for news!"

Harvey was credited with inventing or popularizing such terms as "skyjacker," "Reaganomics" and "guesstimate."

In 2005, Harvey was one of 14 notables chosen as recipients of the presidential Medal of Freedom. He also was an inductee in the Radio Hall of Fame, as was Lynne.

Harvey composed his twice-daily news commentaries from a downtown Chicago office near Lake Michigan.