CBS Fires Embattled Talk Show Host Imus

NEW YORK (AP) – CBS fired Don Imus from his radio show Thursday, the finale to a stunning fall for one of the nation’s most prominent broadcasters.

Imus initially was suspended for two weeks for calling the Rutgers women’s basketball team “nappy-headed hos” on the air last week, but outrage continued to grow and advertisers bolted from his programs.

“There has been much discussion of the effect language like this has on our young people, particularly young women of color trying to make their way in this society,” CBS President and Chief Executive Officer Leslie Moonves said in announcing the decision.

“That consideration has weighed most heavily on our minds as we made our decision.”

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) AP-NY-04-12-07 1653ED