Ward was a radio host on 590 KLBJ for more than 20 years.

AUSTIN, Texas — Austinites won't be able to hear the voice of a longtime radio host on KLBJ Radio anymore.

Jeff Ward is no longer a host on 590 KLBJ Radio, according to a source. And the KLBJ website no longer lists Ward as a show host.

This comes after Emmis Communications sold its stake in eight Austin radio stations, including KLBJ Radio, for $39.3 million in June. It is not clear at this time why Ward is no longer with KLBJ.

According to our partners at the Austin American-Statesman, the sale included six Austin radio stations and two FM translators: news-talk KLBJ 590 AM, rock station KLBJ 93.7 FM, BOB FM (KBPA 103.5 FM), Austin City Limits Radio (KGSR 93.3 FM HD2), adult alternative 101X (KROX 101.5 FM) and La Z (KLZT 107.1 FM), along with Star 93.3 (KGSR 93.3 FM) and Latino 102.7 (KLZT 107.1 FM HD2).

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Jeff Ward took over the afternoon drive-time show on 590 KLBJ more than 20 years ago in 1997. Since then, the show's ratings have consistently been one of the three highest-rated shows, according to KLBJ. The radio news host has also been voted by the Austin Chronicle as the "Best Afternoon Host" five times.

Ward's wife posted the following on Facebook:

From Jeff:

"I’m honored to have given every ounce of intellectual honesty I have for the past 20 years. To anyone who appreciates that, I appreciate you.

Whether I made you laugh or scream, every day I thought about how to make that barstool the most entertaining place you could be. It’s all I ever wanted to do. That part of the job was fun. Thank you for letting me in. I admire you, and I hope you admire me.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go play with my kids."

The eight Austin stations are now a part of the newly formed Waterloo Media, the Statesman reported.