Lynn Elber
Tavis Smiley, owner of progressive talk radio station KBLA Los Angeles (1580), poses for a portrait on a vintage AM radio in his station s offices, Tuesday, June 15, 2021, in Los Angeles. KBLA s morning drive host Dominique DiPrima gifted Smiley with the radio in celebration of the radio station s launch.(AP Photo/Chris Pizzello) June 17, 2021 - 1:58 AM
LOS ANGELES (AP) â Three years after workplace misconduct allegations cost veteran TV and radio talk-show host Tavis Smiley his job and a national forum, heâs ending his silence.
Smiley, who continues to deny the claims of unwanted sexual behavior that led PBS to drop his long-running show, is attempting to rebound with the purchase of a Los Angeles radio station that will offer a Black and progressive perspective on the city and nation.