Citing "inappropriate behavior with an individual who worked with him," Minnesota Public Radio has terminated its relationship with Garrison Keillor, the former host of "A Prairie Home Companion" who helped build MPR into a national powerhouse.
Keillor told The Associated Press that he was fired over "a story that I think is more interesting and more complicated than the version MPR heard."
He didn't give details of the allegation.
Keillor retired last year from his longtime radio show, but still produced "The Writer's Almanac" for syndication.
In a statement, MPR said it was notified last month of the allegations, "which relate to Mr. Keillor's conduct while he was responsible for the production of A Prairie Home Companion (APHC). MPR President Jon McTaggart immediately informed the MPR Board Chair, and a special Board committee was appointed to provide oversight and ongoing counsel. In addition, MPR retained an outside law firm to conduct an independent investigation of the allegations. Based on what we currently know, there are no similar allegations involving other staff. The attorney leading the independent investigation has been conducting interviews and reviewing documents, and the investigation is still ongoing. We encourage anyone with additional information to call our confidential hotline 1-877-767-7781."
MPR and its parent company, St. Paul-based American Public Media (APM) said it will:
_ Change the name of "Prairie Home," which is now hosted by Chris Thile.
_ End distribution and broadcast of "Writer's Almanac" and rebroadcasts of old Keillor-hosted "Prairie Home" shows.
_ Separate itself from the Pretty Good Goods online catalog, which sells Keillor merchandise, and the PrairieHome.org website.
