MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Latest on the firing of Garrison Keillor over an allegation of inappropriate behavior (all times local):
5:25 p.m.
A new statement from Garrison Keillor raises questions about allegations of improper behavior that led Minnesota Public Radio to terminate his contracts.
Keillor said Wednesday he had been fired, and MPR soon confirmed the move. MPR said the allegation involved one person who worked with Keillor on "A Prairie Home Companion" before he left the show in 2016.
MPR said it had no similar allegations involving other staff.
In this May 21, 2016 photo, Garrison Keillor appears during a live broadcast for "A Prairie Home Companion" at the State Theatre in Minneapolis. Keillor said Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2017, he has been fired by Minnesota Public Radio over allegations of improper behavior.
lessIn this May 21, 2016 photo, Garrison Keillor appears during a live broadcast for "A Prairie Home Companion" at the State Theatre in Minneapolis. Keillor said Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2017, he has been fired by
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Humorist Garrison Keillor autographing large stacks of his book Lake Wobegone Days in his hotel room in 1995.
Humorist Garrison Keillor autographing large stacks of his book Lake Wobegone Days in his hotel room in 1995.
American author and poet Garrison Keillor autographs his new book 'The Keillor Reader' in autograph session in Los Angeles, United States on 7 June, 2014.
American author and poet Garrison Keillor autographs his new book 'The Keillor Reader' in autograph session in Los Angeles, United States on 7 June, 2014.
Garrison Keillor performs at City Winery on October 4, 2017 in New York City.
Garrison Keillor performs at City Winery on October 4, 2017 in New York City.
Recent sexual harassment and abuse allegations
Recent sexual harassment and abuse allegations
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Harvey Weinstein
A New York Times article uncovered multiple incidents of Weinstein's sexually harassment or abuse. Thousands of women embracing the "Me Too" movement to own their histories of sexual harassment and abuse, and those issues swirling at high volume in the culture overall, parents are reaching for teachable moments in the post-Weinstein world.
lessA New York Times article uncovered multiple incidents of Weinstein's sexually harassment or abuse. Thousands of women embracing the "Me Too" movement to own their histories of sexual harassment and abuse, and
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Matt Lauer
NBC News fired longtime "Today" show host Matt Lauer on Wednesday for "inappropriate sexual behavior," making him the second morning television show personality to lose his job because of sexual misconduct charges in a week.
lessNBC News fired longtime "Today" show host Matt Lauer on Wednesday for "inappropriate sexual behavior," making him the second morning television show personality to lose his job because of sexual misconduct
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Louis C.K.
Louis C.K. has been accused of sexual misconduct toward several women, including masturbating in front of them to their horror and embarrassment, according to a report in The New York Times.
Louis C.K. has been accused of sexual misconduct toward several women, including masturbating in front of them to their horror and embarrassment, according to a report in The New York Times.
Photo: Chris Pizzello, Associated Press
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Kevin Spacey
Spacey says he is “beyond horrified” by allegations that he made sexual advances on Anthony Rapp when he was a teen boy in 1986. Spacey posted on Twitter that he does not remember the encounter but apologizes for the behavior.
lessSpacey says he is “beyond horrified” by allegations that he made sexual advances on Anthony Rapp when he was a teen boy in 1986. Spacey posted on Twitter that he does not remember the encounter but
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Charlie Rose
The Washington Post says eight women have accused television host Charlie Rose of multiple unwanted sexual advances and inappropriate behavior. CBS News fired Rose and PBS is to halt production and distribution of his show following the sexual harassment report.
lessThe Washington Post says eight women have accused television host Charlie Rose of multiple unwanted sexual advances and inappropriate behavior. CBS News fired Rose and PBS is to halt production and distribution
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John Lasseter
Pixar and Disney Animation chief John Lasseter is accused by several women of unwanted touching and has announced he is taking a six-month leave of absence. He has acknowledged some "missteps" with employees and apologized for any behavior that made workers uncomfortable.
lessPixar and Disney Animation chief John Lasseter is accused by several women of unwanted touching and has announced he is taking a six-month leave of absence. He has acknowledged some "missteps" with employees
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James Toback
Toback, who received an Oscar nomination for writing "Bugsy," has been accused of sexual harassment by more than 30 women. He said: "anyone who says it is a lying c---r or c- or both ... Anyone who says that, I just want to spit in his or her f--g face."
lessToback, who received an Oscar nomination for writing "Bugsy," has been accused of sexual harassment by more than 30 women. He said: "anyone who says it is a lying c---r or c- or both ... Anyone who says that, I
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Former President George H.W. Bush
Accused of patting seven women (including Heather Lind, pictured above) below the waist while posing for photos with them in recent years, well after he left office. The 93-year-old Republican has issued repeated apologies through a spokesman "to anyone he has offended," with the spokesman noting that the former president uses a wheelchair and that his arm sinks below people's waists when they take photos with him.
lessAccused of patting seven women (including Heather Lind, pictured above) below the waist while posing for photos with them in recent years, well after he left office. The 93-year-old Republican has issued
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Congressman John Conyers
The longtime Michigan Congressman denied settling a sexual harassment complaint in 2015 from a woman who alleged she was fired from his Washington staff because she rejected his sexual advances.
The longtime Michigan Congressman denied settling a sexual harassment complaint in 2015 from a woman who alleged she was fired from his Washington staff because she rejected his sexual advances.
Photo: Paul Sancya, AP
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Roy Moore
U.S. Senate candidate Roy Moore was accused of sexually assaulting two women decades ago when they were teenagers. About a half-dozen other women also have accused Moore of inappropriate conduct. Moore, a former state Supreme Court chief justice, has called the allegations "unsubstantiated," ''unproven" and "fake." He has rebuffed pressure from national Republican leaders to step aside; the state GOP is standing by him.
lessU.S. Senate candidate Roy Moore was accused of sexually assaulting two women decades ago when they were teenagers. About a half-dozen other women also have accused Moore of inappropriate conduct. Moore, a
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Al Franken
In this image provided by the U.S. Army, then-comedian Al Franken and sports commentator Leeann Tweeden perform a comic skit at Forward Operating Base Marez in Mosul, Iraq, on Dec. 16, 2006, during the USO Sergeant Major of the Army's 2006 Hope and Freedom Tour. Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., apologized Nov. 16, 2017, after Tweeden accused him of forcibly kissing her during the 2006 USO tour. Tweeden also accused Franken of posing for a photo with his hands on her breasts as she slept, while both were performing for military personnel two years before the one-time comedian was elected to the Senate.
lessIn this image provided by the U.S. Army, then-comedian Al Franken and sports commentator Leeann Tweeden perform a comic skit at Forward Operating Base Marez in Mosul, Iraq, on Dec. 16, 2006, during the USO
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Dr. Larry Nassar
Olympic gymnast Aly Raisman says she is among the young women abused by a former USA Gymnastics team doctor. Raisman tells "60 Minutes" she was 15 when she was first treated by Dr. Larry Nassar, who spent more than two decades working with athletes at USA Gymnastics. He's now is in jail in Michigan awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to possession of child pornography.
lessOlympic gymnast Aly Raisman says she is among the young women abused by a former USA Gymnastics team doctor. Raisman tells "60 Minutes" she was 15 when she was first treated by Dr. Larry Nassar, who spent more
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Brett Ratner
Film director Brett Ratner has been accused by six women, Including actress Olivia Munn, of harassment or misconduct in a Los Angeles Times report.
Film director Brett Ratner has been accused by six women, Including actress Olivia Munn, of harassment or misconduct in a Los Angeles Times report.
Photo: Willy Sanjuan
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Mark Halperin
Halperin apologized for what he terms "inappropriate" behavior after five women claimed he sexually harassed them while he was a top ABC News executive.
Halperin apologized for what he terms "inappropriate" behavior after five women claimed he sexually harassed them while he was a top ABC News executive.
Photo: Richard Shotwell, Associated Press
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Russell Simmons
In a report published Sunday, Nov. 19, 2017, in the Los Angeles Times, Model Keri Claussen Khalighi accused Simmons of sexual misconduct in 1991 when she was 17-years-old. Simmons, denied the allegations in a statement.
lessIn a report published Sunday, Nov. 19, 2017, in the Los Angeles Times, Model Keri Claussen Khalighi accused Simmons of sexual misconduct in 1991 when she was 17-years-old. Simmons, denied the allegations in a
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Steven Seagal
Jenny McCarthy said on her Sirius XM show Nov. 9, 2017, that Seagal sexually harassed her during an audition in 1995. A Seagal spokesman has denied the McCarthy’s accusations to The Daily Beast.
Jenny McCarthy said on her Sirius XM show Nov. 9, 2017, that Seagal sexually harassed her during an audition in 1995. A Seagal spokesman has denied the McCarthy’s accusations to The Daily Beast.
Photo: Ivan Sekretarev, AP
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Jeremy Piven
CBS is investigating a sexual harassment allegation against Piven, who currently stars in the CBS series, "Wisdom of the Crowd." Actress and reality star Ariane Bellamar claimed in posts on her Twitter account that the Emmy-winning "Entourage" star groped her on two occasions.
lessCBS is investigating a sexual harassment allegation against Piven, who currently stars in the CBS series, "Wisdom of the Crowd." Actress and reality star Ariane Bellamar claimed in posts on her Twitter account
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Michael Oreskes
Former executive Michael Oreskes lost his job as National Public Radio newsroom chief following sexual harassment reports. Oreskes was vice president and senior managing editor at the AP from 2008 to 2015.
Former executive Michael Oreskes lost his job as National Public Radio newsroom chief following sexual harassment reports. Oreskes was vice president and senior managing editor at the AP from 2008 to 2015.
Photo: Chuck Zoeller, AP
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Chef John Besh
Chef John Besh stepped down from the restaurant group that bears his name after a newspaper reported that 25 current or former employees of the business said they were victims of sexual harassment.
Chef John Besh stepped down from the restaurant group that bears his name after a newspaper reported that 25 current or former employees of the business said they were victims of sexual harassment.
Photo: Edmund D. Fountain, For The Chronicle
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Dustin Hoffman
Hoffman is apologizing for alleged sexual harassment of a 17-year-old intern in 1985. Writer Anna Graham Hunter alleges that the 80-year-old actor groped her on the set of TV movie “Death of a Salesman” and “talked about sex to me and in front of me.”
lessHoffman is apologizing for alleged sexual harassment of a 17-year-old intern in 1985. Writer Anna Graham Hunter alleges that the 80-year-old actor groped her on the set of TV movie “Death of a Salesman” and
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Ed Westwick
The BBC said Friday, Nov. 10, 2017, it is pulling a new Agatha Christie adaptation from its television schedule because of a sexual assault allegation against actor Westwick. Westwick has strenuously denied the allegation.
lessThe BBC said Friday, Nov. 10, 2017, it is pulling a new Agatha Christie adaptation from its television schedule because of a sexual assault allegation against actor Westwick. Westwick has strenuously denied the
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Tom Wopat
The former star of "The Dukes of Hazzard" has been accused of indecently assaulting two female members of a musical in Massachusetts.
The former star of "The Dukes of Hazzard" has been accused of indecently assaulting two female members of a musical in Massachusetts.
Photo: AP
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Jeffrey Tambor
Trace Lysette, an actress on "Transparent," says the shows star Tambor pressed his body against hers in a sexually aggressive manner during filming and made inappropriate and unwanted sexual statements. Tambor denies the allegations saying he has never been a predator - ever.
lessTrace Lysette, an actress on "Transparent," says the shows star Tambor pressed his body against hers in a sexually aggressive manner during filming and made inappropriate and unwanted sexual statements.
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Robert Knepper
Knepper was accused by one woman of sexual assault. He denies the allegations.
Knepper was accused by one woman of sexual assault. He denies the allegations.
Photo: Richard Shotwell, Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP
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George Takei
Takei has denied he groped a struggling model in 1981.
Takei has denied he groped a struggling model in 1981.
Photo: Phil Mccarten, AP
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Jann Wenner
Rolling Stone co-founder and publisher Jann Wenner was accused by one man of sexual harassment. He says he did not intend to make the accuser uncomfortable.
Rolling Stone co-founder and publisher Jann Wenner was accused by one man of sexual harassment. He says he did not intend to make the accuser uncomfortable.
Photo: Evan Agostini, Evan Agostini/Invision/AP
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Hamilton Fish
New Republic publisher Hamilton Fish faces multiple sexual harassment allegations. He has resigned from the magazine.
New Republic publisher Hamilton Fish faces multiple sexual harassment allegations. He has resigned from the magazine.
Photo: Nomi Ellenson/FilmMagic
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Leon Wieseltier
New Republic editor Leon Wieseltier is accused of sexually harassing numerous women. Removed from the masthead of The Atlantic magazine. He has apologized for his behavior.
New Republic editor Leon Wieseltier is accused of sexually harassing numerous women. Removed from the masthead of The Atlantic magazine. He has apologized for his behavior.
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Glenn Thrush
New York Times White House reporter Glenn Thrush is accused of making drunken, unwanted advances on women. He disputes some of the accusations but has said he had had a drinking problem and apologized for "any situation where I behaved inappropriately."
lessNew York Times White House reporter Glenn Thrush is accused of making drunken, unwanted advances on women. He disputes some of the accusations but has said he had had a drinking problem and apologized for "any
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Jeff Hoover
Kentucky House Speaker Jeff Hoover stepped down as speaker this month after news surfaced that the Republican had settled a sexual harassment claim from a GOP caucus staffer. Hoover denied the harassment allegation but said he sent consensual yet inappropriate text messages. He remains in the Legislature.
lessKentucky House Speaker Jeff Hoover stepped down as speaker this month after news surfaced that the Republican had settled a sexual harassment claim from a GOP caucus staffer. Hoover denied the harassment
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Stephen Bittel
Florida Democratic Party Chairman Stephen Bittel (center), is accused of sexually inappropriate comments and behavior toward a number of women, Bittel resigned. Meanwhile, Democratic state Sen. Jeff Clemens resigned after a report that he had an extramarital affair with a lobbyist, and Republican state Sen. Jack Latvala is being investigated by the Senate over allegations of harassment and groping. Latvala has denied the allegations.
lessFlorida Democratic Party Chairman Stephen Bittel (center), is accused of sexually inappropriate comments and behavior toward a number of women, Bittel resigned. Meanwhile, Democratic state Sen. Jeff Clemens
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Gary Goddard
Director-producer Gary Goddard — Accused by one man of sexually molesting him when the man was 12. He denies the allegation.
Director-producer Gary Goddard — Accused by one man of sexually molesting him when the man was 12. He denies the allegation.
Photo: Patrick McMullan/Patrick McMullan Via Getty Image
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Matthew Weiner
"Mad Men" creator Matthew Weiner has been accused by one woman of sexual harassment. He denies the allegation.
"Mad Men" creator Matthew Weiner has been accused by one woman of sexual harassment. He denies the allegation.
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Tom Sizemore
Actor Tom Sizemore is accused of groping an 11-year-old actress in 2003. Utah prosecutors declined to file charges, citing witness and evidence problems. He denies the allegation.
Actor Tom Sizemore is accused of groping an 11-year-old actress in 2003. Utah prosecutors declined to file charges, citing witness and evidence problems. He denies the allegation.
Photo: John Carucci, AP
In this Feb. 19, 2016 photo, Garrison Keillor uses his phone at the Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul to time a promo for an upcoming show. Keillor said Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2017, he has been fired by Minnesota Public Radio over allegations of improper behavior. (Euan Kerr/Minnesota Public Radio via AP)
lessIn this Feb. 19, 2016 photo, Garrison Keillor uses his phone at the Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul to time a promo for an upcoming show. Keillor said Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2017, he has been fired by Minnesota
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The Latest: Keillor issues new statement on allegations
In a later statement to MPR News, Keillor wrote that he has to respect the privacy "of the two employees who made the allegations."
A spokeswoman for MPR's corporate arm didn't immediately respond to a message to clarify whether the accusation involved one person or two.
Keillor told the Minneapolis Star Tribune he put his hand on the bare back of a woman he had been trying to console, and when she recoiled, he apologized.
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5:10 p.m.
A concert featuring Garrison Keillor has been cancelled in Massachusetts in the wake of the entertainer being fired from Minnesota Public Radio on an allegation of improper behavior.
Keillor was slated to appear in Pittsfield with the folk duo Robin and Linda Williams on Wednesday night. The duo were regular guests on Keillor's nationally syndicated public radio show, "A Prairie Home Companion."
The Berkshire Theatre Group posted on its website later Wednesday that the show had been canceled. WAMC Northeast Public Radio had pulled out as a sponsor.
Minnesota Public Radio confirmed earlier Wednesday it terminated contracts with Keillor over a single allegation reported last month.
Keillor says the incident involved putting his hand on a woman's bare back while trying to console her. Keillor says the woman recoiled, he apologized and she later told him she forgave him.
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3 p.m.
The musician who took over hosting "A Prairie Home Companion" when Garrison Keillor retired last year says he's "in shock" after Keillor was fired over an accusation of improper behavior.
Chris Thile was Keillor's hand-picked successor as host of the popular radio show. Minnesota Public Radio confirmed Wednesday it had terminated contracts with Keillor.
Thile later tweeted that he knew nothing about the accusation. The mandolinist says he trusts "that the proper steps are being taken." MPR says an outside law firm is investigating.
A longtime voice actor on the show also says she never saw inappropriate behavior by Keillor. Sue Scott was an actress on the show for 24 years. She tells The Associated Press she's stunned by Keillor's firing.
Keillor says he was fired because he put his hand on a woman's bare back as he tried to console her. Keillor says the woman recoiled, he apologized and she later told him she forgave him.
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2 p.m.
An allegation of improper behavior by former "Prairie Home Companion" host Garrison Keillor is shocking his fans.
Minnesota Public Radio terminated its contracts with Keillor for what they called an allegation of inappropriate behavior. Keillor told the Minneapolis Star Tribune that he touched a woman's bare back as he tried to console her, and he apologized when she recoiled.
Among the local fans shocked by the news was Cindy Dina. The suburban Minneapolis woman says she admired Keillor and frequently listened to his show. She says she hopes the continuous allegations against high-profile men accused of misconduct sends a strong message to others.
Kathy Wallace says wasn't a big fan of Keillor's show but knew his name well as a cultural icon in Minnesota. She says his firing caught her off guard.
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1:05 p.m.
Garrison Keillor says he was fired because he put his hand on a woman's bare back as he tried to console her.
The longtime radio host announced Wednesday he'd been fired by Minnesota Public Radio. Keillor retired from his popular show, "A Prairie Home Companion," last year but had still worked for MPR on a variety of projects.
Keillor tells the Minneapolis Star Tribune in an email that he was trying to pat the woman's back after she had told him "about her unhappiness." Keillor wrote that the woman's shirt was open and his hand went up about 6 inches.
Keillor says he apologized when the woman recoiled, and also emailed the woman an apology. He says she replied she'd forgiven him and "not to think about it."
Keillor says he considered her a friend and they remained friendly "right up until her lawyer called."
MPR declined to give any detail of the allegation against Keillor.
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12:30 p.m.
Minnesota Public Radio is telling members it was "the right thing to do" to fire Garrison Keillor.
MPR depends heavily on member support. It sent note to supporters after Wednesday's firing was announced, saying the organization appreciates Keillor's contributions to the network "and to all of public radio."
The statement was signed by MPR President Jon McTaggart. It says the firing was necessary "to continue to earn your trust."
Neither MPR nor Keillor has released details about the allegation. MPR says it is a single allegation last month from a person who worked with Keillor while he was producing "A Prairie Home Companion."
Keillor retired from the show last year.
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12:15 p.m.
Garrison Keillor says he's been fired by Minnesota Public Radio over a story that is "more complicated" than the version his employer heard.
MPR confirmed Wednesday that it fired Keillor after he was accused of "inappropriate behavior" last month by a person who had worked with him.
Neither MPR nor Keillor has given any details about the allegation. MPR says it's still investigating but currently has no other allegations against Keillor.
He retired last year as host of his signature "A Prairie Home Companion" radio show, but had continued working with MPR on other projects.
Keillor says he's deeply grateful for his years on the radio show. He says he's 75 and doesn't "have any interest in arguing about this."
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11:50 a.m.
Minnesota Public Radio has confirmed it fired Garrison Keillor after he was accused of inappropriate behavior.
MPR says the allegation came last month from a person who worked with Keillor. MPR gave no details, but said it has no other similar allegations involving other staff.
MPR says an investigation is ongoing.
Keillor first announced his firing in an email to The Associated Press on Wednesday. He says he was fired over "a story that I think is more interesting and more complicated than the version MPR heard." But he didn't provide any details.
MPR says it will no longer rebroadcast any Keillor-hosted editions of "A Prairie Home Companion." Keillor retired from the show last year. MPR also says it will change the name of the show, which is now hosted by Chris Thile.
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11:22 a.m.
Garrison Keillor, the former host of "A Prairie Home Companion," says he's been fired by Minnesota Public Radio over allegations of improper behavior.
Keillor told The Associated Press of his firing in an email. In a follow-up statement, he says 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. Minnesota Public Radio didn't immediately respond to messages.
Keillor retired last year from his longtime radio show, but still produced "The Writer's Almanac" for syndication.
http://www.timesunion.com/news/article/The-Latest-MPR-confirms-Keillor-firing-says-1-12392308.php
