Los Angeles, CA (Wed, Jan. 5, 2004) - Throughout 2005, 89.3 KPCC celebrates 20 years of AirTalk with Larry Mantle, the longest continuously airing daily talk program in Southern California. KPCC will host events throughout the year highlighting 20 years of AirTalk's excellence, including live remotes throughout Southern California on the first Friday of each month; publication of the commemorative book, This is AirTalk; an AirTalk 20th Anniversary Dinner in October; and a live broadcast event from the Museum of Television and Radio on the anniversary, April 1, 2005. (See Event List for details.)

KPCC launched AirTalk on April 1, 1985, just a month after the general manager asked News Director Larry Mantle if he would like to start a daily personality oriented issues program on the station. Interview/call-in shows were rare in public radio at the time, but AirTalk quickly caught on with KPCC listeners, and gradually expanded its daily length and the size of its audience. In the early years, Mantle both hosted and produced the program. In 1992, AirTalkâ took a major step forward with the hiring of Senior Producer Linda Othenin-Girard, who still guides the show as part of a four-person production staff.

During his 20 years hosting AirTalk, Mantle has spoken with thousands of prominent guests on an extraordinary array of local, national, and international topics. AirTalk's guest list has included Jimmy Carter, Carl Sagan, Rosa Parks, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Steve Martin, Isabel Allende, Michael Caine, Bob Woodward, Milton Berle, Barbara Bush, Kevin Starr, and Cornel West.

Mantle and the AirTalk team have also received numerous journalistic awards, including: six Golden Mikes from the Radio & TV News Association of Southern California, Best Talk Show from New Times LA, and several L. A. Press Club and Associated Press awards. "As a fourth-generation Angeleno, I am so fortunate to have found a long term home at KPCC. The station has consistently grown in quality and size since my arrival 22 years ago, and that has allowed my career to progress without having to leave the region, or station, that are truly my homes," said Mantle. "Best of all, AirTalk allows me to converse with the finest possible radio audience. KPCC listeners care deeply about what's happening in their communities, and around the world. I get a thrill from connecting with our listeners from a wide range of backgrounds, communities and interests; and working with such a dedicated team at KPCC."

"Larry Mantle is a regional treasure, and AirTalk is the broadcast equivalent of Trader Joe's or In 'N' Out: intrinsically and distinctively Southern Californian. And, just like Trader Joe's and In 'N' Out, AirTalk and KPCC are beginning to have a national impact," said Bill Davis, President of Southern California Public Radio. "So, while we're proud to be celebrating this 20-year milestone, what's really exciting is that the best of AirTalk is yet to come. Larry's continuing to grow--both as a journalist and as a host. We're looking forward to many more years of hearing Larry connect the people and the communities of this diverse metropolis with one another for years to come."

This program is supported in part by a grant from the California Community Foundation. Established in 1915, the California Community Foundation is one of the largest and most active philanthropic organizations in Southern California, with assets of more than $600 million. In partnership with its donors, the foundation supports nonprofit organizations and public institutions with funds for health and human services, affordable housing, early childhood education, community arts and culture and other areas of need

89.3 KPCC is the flagship station of Southern California Public Radio. In the past three years KPCC has won more awards for excellence in journalism than any other radio station in Southern California. KPCC is also the fastest-growing public radio station in the country, airing the signature public radio news and talk programs from NPR, along with AirTalk with Larry Mantle weekdays from 10 a.m.- 12 Noon, and Talk of the City with Kitty Felde weekdays from 2-3 p.m.