"Reader is fine"
I'm director for the 501c3 non-profit Earth Intelligence Network. I deal with a great deal of information. Science News' audio version is great way to hear briefs around the science world. Science News knew/knows what it was/is doing with the reader. He doesn't add voice tones and emphasis that gets in the way of the content. If you're not interested in the content, it will be boring regardless of the reader unless you're listening to hear a sexy & provocative voice which isn't the point of listening to science news as far as I'm concerned :)