Suspended KTTS, KSGF Radio Host Quits

A Springfield, MO radio host who was suspended for suggesting on air that the recent shooting deaths of two Virginia journalists caught on tape were a hoax is not backing down from his remarks and has quit his job.

In follow-up comments made on social media, the employee, Rick Kennedy — who goes by the on-air name Rick Masters — said he stands by his comments made on the Sunday morning call-in show “Cracker Barrel” and that his suspension was unfair.

On Friday, he told the News-Leader he still believes the shooting was faked.

“There is no question in my mind it’s a hoax,” said Kennedy, who worked part time at the station.

As for why any group would pull such a hoax, Kennedy said, “Why? Who knows? Probably to create more conversation about gun laws. You know Sandy Hook was the granddaddy of that stuff.”

Kennedy also believes the Sandy Hook school shooting was a conspiracy, he said

Kennedy had worked as a telephone screener on the Sunday morning call-in show “Cracker Barrel,” which airs on Country KTTS 94.7 FM, N/T KSGF 104.1 FM / 1260 AM. The show’s host, Joe Rios, was also suspended. The stations are owned by the E.W. Scripps Company.

Stations manager Rex Hansen on Thursday confirmed that Kennedy had quit. Hansen declined to comment further.

The remarks were made during the Aug. 30 episode of “Cracker Barrel,” four days after television reporter Alison Parker and cameraman Adam Ward from the WDBJ7 station in Roanoke, Virginia, were shot by a former co-worker on live television.


Kennedy and Rios said on air their suspicions about the event were spurred by videos that had been posted on the Internet. Kennedy said he believed the shooting was a hoax and that others should decide for themselves.

The E.W. Scripps Company issued an apology for the segment, and both Kennedy and Rios were suspended.

Kennedy said he’s looking for another job in radio.