Leonard Lopate returns to public radio after WNYC firing

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Five months after being dismissed from WNYC in New York City, Leonard Lopate is back on the air.

The host’s new hourlong talk show Leonard Lopate at Large features “in-depth discussions providing overview and context to topics usually covered in partial measures,” according to an announcement. It airs Thursdays on WPWL, a community radio station in Pawling, N.Y., with a Monday rebroadcast. Robin Hood Radio, an NPR station in Sharon, Conn., airs the show Thursdays and Saturdays. It is also available as a podcast.

The show is a collaboration between WPWL and Robin Hood Radio. It premiered Thursday with an episode about native plants.

The longtime WNYC host was fired in December after an investigation found that he had violated the station’s standards “for providing an inclusive, appropriate, and respectful work environment.”

WNYC did not elaborate on the nature of the violation, but WNYC News reported that employees who worked on the show had complained about Lopate making “sexually provocative” comments and bullying. “He made everyone cry at some point,” a former producer said.

Lopate told WNYC News that he believed the firing was “unjust.”

Before his firing, Lopate had hosted The Leonard Lopate Show, a weekday two-hour arts and culture program, for more than 30 years.

2 thoughts on “Leonard Lopate returns to public radio after WNYC firing

  1. I am so happy to hear this. Missed him dearly. Loved, Ioved his show and felt bereft at his abrupt departure. Wish you well Leonardi in this new endeavor and will be tuning in.

  2. I’ve lost some respect for Leonard that he is going to allow to air his show on WBAI radio part of the Pacifica Foundation if you think sexual harassment is bad WBAI has 3000 people who have not received premiums since 2009 and Counting there’s been sexual harassment there but no accountability that’s been pornography on the computers when they were at the college buy a producer who is no longer and not allowed to be returned I think Leonard should have done his research and listen to the people I think he’s going to find out about these things and hope that he takes appropriate action because if he thinks NYC was tough waiting comes on WBAI

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