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Minnesota Public Radio and its parent organization American Public Media said Wednesday they've cut all business ties with Garrison Keillor as they investigate a report of "inappropriate behavior" by Keillor involving someone who worked with him.

Keillor, whose connections to MPR go back nearly to its founding 50 years ago, retired last year from "A Prairie Home Companion," the renowned weekly music and variety show he'd created. He continued to produce "The Writer's Almanac" for syndication. 

What are your thoughts on MPR cutting ties with Garrison Keillor?


The allegations relate to Keillor's conduct while he was responsible for the production of "A Prairie Home Companion." They came to the company's attention last month and were referred to a special committee of its board for investigation, APM chief executive Jon McTaggart said. 

Cutting ties with Keillor will bring several big changes, including a name change for "A Prairie Home Companion," which is hosted now by Keillor's successor, Chris Thile. 

APM also said it would end rebroadcasts of "The Best of A Prairie Home Companion" hosted by Keillor, end distribution and broadcast of "The Writer's Almanac with Garrison Keillor" and separate from the Pretty Good Goods online catalog and the PrairieHome.org website.


"While we appreciate the contributions Garrison has made to MPR and to all of public radio, we believe this decision is the right thing to do and is necessary to continue to earn your trust and that of our employees and other supporters so vital to our public service," McTaggart wrote to MPR members.

APM did not detail the nature of the claims against Keillor and executives declined substantial comment beyond the company statement, which was released shortly after Keillor sent a message to the Associated Press 

, Keillor wrote: "I put my hand on a woman's bare back. I meant to pat her back after she told me about her unhappiness and her shirt was open and my hand went up it about six inches. She recoiled. I apologized. 

"I sent her an email of apology later and she replied that she had forgiven me and not to think about it. We were friends. We continued to be friendly right up until her lawyer called."

Keillor, sexual harassment, and the things Democrats don't understand

Later, in a message to MPR News, he indicated that two employees had raised questions about his behavior.

"I have to respect the privacy of the two employees who made the allegations," he wrote. "I have my own recollection of events, but I don't want to take issue with Jon McTaggart's decision. I think the country is in the grip of a mania — the whole Franken business [a reference to sexual misconduct allegations against Sen. Al Franken] is an absurdity — and I wish someone who resist it (sic), but I expect MPR to look out for itself, and meanwhile I feel awfully lucky to have hung on for so long."

He also posted a separate statement saying: "I've been fired over a story that I think is more interesting and more complicated than the version MPR heard. Most stories are. 

"It's some sort of poetic irony to be knocked off the air by a story, having told so many of them myself, but I'm 75 and don't have any interest in arguing about this. And I cannot in conscience bring danger to a great organization I've worked hard for since 1969."


In a Facebook post written Wednesday evening, 

, Keillor said: "It's astonishing that fifty years of hard work can be trashed in a morning by an accusation. I always believed in hard work and now it feels sort of meaningless. Only a friend can hurt you this badly. I think I have to leave the country in order to walk around in public and not feel accusing glances."

Keillor, a Minnesota native, became nationally famous through broadcasts of "A Prairie Home Companion," which 

The show still attracts about 3 million listeners weekly and brings APM, the parent company of MPR News, millions of dollars in revenue annually. However, its audience has shrunk from some 4 million listeners a decade or so ago, MPR News reported last year. 

, hoping he could grow a younger audience without alienating Keillor's fan base.


Actress Sue Scott, who worked with Garrison Keillor for 24 years on the show, said she's shocked at the news, adding she's heard from other staff and cast members who feel the same way and who want more details.

Scott said she's never known Keillor to behave in inappropriate ways. 


"I saw nothing, I really I have nothing to say," Scott said. "I'm stunned.  I'm still sort of  trying to take it all in myself."

 Wednesday night in Pittsfield, Mass. The venue, however, said Wednesday afternoon the gig had been canceled, adding, "Berkshire Theatre Group finds any victimization of people deplorable."

Keillor has several books in the works, including a just finished memoir. He also has another Prairie Home movie project which he hoped to get into production soon.

 decrying calls for Minnesota U.S. Sen. Al Franken to resign over 

allegations that he groped and forcibly kissed a woman

 during a USO tour in 2006, before he became a senator.

"This is pure absurdity," Keillor wrote, "and the atrocity it leads to is a code of public deadliness."

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Minnesota News

Garrison Keillor and Minnesota Public Radio

Tim Nelson

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Minnesota Public Radio and its parent firm American Public Media said Wednesday they've cut ties with Garrison Keillor as they probe a report of "inappropriate behavior" by Keillor during the time he oversaw production of "A Prairie Home Companion."

MPR News reporter Euan Kerr with the latest on MPR cutting ties with Keillor

Actress Sue Scott, who worked with Garrison Keillor for 24 years on the show, said she's shocked at the news, adding she's heard from other staff and cast members who feel the same way and who want more details.

MPR drops Keillor over inappropriate conduct

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