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(KMOV) -- Local radio host J.C. Corcoran has been suspended for two weeks without pay following comments he made on his radio show on KHITS 96.3 this week.

During his show, Corcoran made negative remarks toward Ameren UE because he lost his power during the Super Bowl.

While talking about Ameren, Corcoran said, “I swear, I’m gonna get on top of your building with an AK-47 and just start picking people off.”

An Ameren UE spokesperson tells News 4 that the power company has increased security at its building following the remarks.

He went on to say that, “It would be easier to find Osama bin Laden, than it would be to find Karen Foss the last 12 months,” referring to Ameren’s vice president of public relations.

John R. Beck, Jr. Senior Vice President of Emmis Communications in St. Louis released this statement Thursday afternoon.

”In speaking with J.C., we know he deeply regrets his comments. We at Emmis Communications are deeply sorry for J.C.'s statements. Specifically, to Richard Mark, Karen Foss, and every one of the Ameren employees, we sincerely apologize.”

Read entire statement from John Beck

In a release, Charisse Jackson, Program Director the National Conference of Community and Justice, stated that Corcoran’s “overtly sexist and racist behavior is reminiscent of Don Imus’ terrible comments last year.”

“Speaking about shooting people from the top of buildings or denigrating people because of their race, gender, or other social identity is absolutely no way to uphold a positionas a public figure,” the statement reads.

KMOV.com will have audio clips of Corcoran’s remarks posted shortly. Watch expanded coverage tonight on News 4 at 5, 6 and 10:00.

I was listening the day of the show and JC did get a little carried away but that is JC he does with most of his comments. I agree with the people who said, if you don't like what he has to say, change the channel!
While I don't always agree with JC, but I do prefer him in the morning over Mark, who is fine DJ, but the combination of JC and John is better.
I also agree with the comments about race it appears that race only comes up when it involves African Americans. When JC has an issue, he doesn't look at it as a black/white issue it's just an issue that he wants to talk about and should have his Freedom on Speech to do so. I also don't agree with the settlement. There are just as many white, Asian, etc., people that need assistance in the St. Louis area. Why should we limit this "assistance" to just African Americans?
Ameren needs to work a harder to make their service more reliable. We have had too many outages over the past few years! Stop nit-picking over the little issues and start working on the big ones. Electric should be something we can count on, not hope for!
Hurry back JC

The comments didn't warrant the disciplinary action taken. However, I would have canned him years ago purely because he is an egotistic, arrogant, jerk. I think he has a right to say what he wants, I just don't think the general public has to be subjected to it. I love the new morning show, except now I miss Mark in the afternoons. I'm sure there must be JC fans out there somewhere, I'm just not one of them. I think he crosses the line with his rudeness and I don't find that entertaining, but rather disgusting and if I want to be disgusted, I'll watch one of MTV's shock shows.

j.c. corcorans mouth has been his worst enemy for years. he never knows when to stop. if he would quit wanting to be a howard stern shock jock wana be he would be ok. all the other radio host know when to stop , j.c. just keeps going. he has offended so many people just because he runs off at the mouth its sad. the morning show is much better with mark klouse, u-man, laurie mac and karl. j.c. will never learn when to shut his mouth. you have offened people way to offten i think k-hits would be way better off to let j.c. go. j.c. you have worn out your welcome in st. louis------ BYE BYE

j.c. has been out of control for years with mouth. if he would quit trying to be a howard stern copy cat he might be alright. i think the morning show is much better with mark klose, the u-man, laurie mac and karl. jc you have worn out your welcome in st. louis. BYE BYE

This isn't the first time he's made such comments. I quit listening to him 2 years ago when he made derogatory comments about the citizens of Valley Park over the immigration issues there. He speaks before he thinks far too often to have a microphone in front of his face. He should be fired for his latest debacle.

My wife and I both agree. We both heard about the college student who made the comments about how he could shoot up northern Illinois like the other school. What happened to him. Well he was arrested for comments made to a friend. Amazing JC can make comments on the air about killing people and he gets what? He gets a slap on the hand. Oh I am overlookinig he is the great JC Corcoran who has been in hot water on almost every station he has been on in St. Louis. Makes you wonder why he left the city he is from maybe they would not put up with his bad publicity. We think he should be put in jail for being a terrorist like all the rest of the world.

It was about time that J.C. Corcoran got his dues for many a brash coment that he had said over the radio & T.V.

I think that is his opion and every one has a right to free speach!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I think that this country should repeal the first ammendment. Freedom of speech is a fairytale in the United States of America. When did everyone become so sensitive to words? Sticks and stones and all that, you know?

I think J.C. Corcoran went to far. He made it a racial problem with his statement and actions. I do not agree with all of the concessions KHITS must make. I do believe his punishment is too light. Although he did something wrong, his following is getting stronger. It sad to see that in this day and age we still can't live in unity with all people regardless of race, gender, religion, and sexual orientation.

I will start by saying that I do listen to khits on a regular basis. I like the morning show I am not always happy with what is going on with it. This is especially true if JC is in the middle of a rant. Sometimes he has trouble seeing another side to an issue. But this particular incident has been totally blown out of proportion.

First of all, Ameren deserves any criticism they receive. Their service had been terrible since the Ameren name was added to UE. Maybe they should stop wasting their time with damage control to their image and tackle the real problems. I am not speaking about the guys that have to cleanup the mess after the storm. It is the suits that still get their bonuses and do nothing to correct the problems for the future. Every time we have a storm, there are people without power for days at a time. Ameren should try being proactive. Maybe they should concentrate on an upgrade to their systems to handle the modern day electrical needs. Lets not even open the book on the whole Johnsons Shut-ins thing.
I was listening that day and JC may have made a couple of angry remarks about his service but they were all in jest. Nothing said was an attempt at bigotry and should not be turned into a racial issue. That, again, is Ameren trying to divert attention away from their real issues. The comments were no worse that what we have seen for years on Saturday Night Live, In Living Color, or Mad TV. As far as Corcoran threatening to fire an AK-47 from the roof of Ameren, IT WAS A JOKE. If you cant understand that then maybe its time for you to see about getting a reality check.
You want to talk racial? What about the list of terms that Emmis agreed to? It was not a black/white issue. They have to be nuts to agree to those concessions. It was all over a joke and the station is too worried about being PC. When can the white people of today stop paying for mistakes of white people of the past? Things that happened in the past were terribly wrong but those days are gone. We should learn the lesson and move on. We should not have them thrown back in our face forever. White people can not have White Entertainment Television or Ivory Magazine but BET, Ebony, and Jet are all acceptable parts of society. Racism comes from both sides and we (the human race) keep the racial differences alive. As long as we create all these concessions for one race or the other, the divide will always be there. That has accomplished nothing. All the misdeeds of history cannot be taken back. The only thing we can do to fix the issues is never to let those things happen again.

What he said was not the most tactful comment. When we heard him say it, my wife and I knew he was in trouble.
However, I think it's ridiculous to have Emmis pay these things to organizations that are primarily black. To me, this only prepetuates the existence of racism. The idea is that people are not categorized by the color of their skin. To specifically target black oriented beneficiaries segregates them and all other variations of what we are, Human.
Maybe if Ameren hadn't put themselves in such a bad position, they wouldn't have the bull's eye painted on them. POWER NO!

J.C. Corcoran caused more problems than it was worth. It cost Amerun extra money for extra security and he should be the one to foot that bill. What I want to know is where the feds are? He made a threat against a public utility company. If he was a terrorist he would be in jail. Making those kinds of threats makes him a terrorist. Why is he not in jail with the rest of them?

I am a black woman just so you know before you start reading this!
F8ck JC. and all the other people who think you can use free speech on public airways to personally attack someone. He took a situation and turned it personal so how would you feel if someone was waiting at the door to beat his ass for the silly comments he made. its acceptable because he is white and its defended because hes white but if her were standing in someones face saying this to all these posters they would slap the crap out of him. i will however admit that is a bit much for all the African Americans, wow.

Why is Emmis Communication kissing the urban leagues behinds. If the Africian Americans says something to offend white America, nothing is done. But in order to keep peace, Emmis is backing down. Stand up for JC and his freedom of speech. I'm really surprised Sharpton in not in town trying to extort Emmis to hire all black DJ's for a white radio station. JC does have anger management problems, but if the Urban league leaders lost their power during the Super Bowl and a white person was president of Ameren, they would have said it was racial. I miss you JC

John Beck - Senior Vice President
Rick Balis - Program Director

KHITS 96
800 St. Louis Union Station
The Powerhouse
St. Louis, MO 63103


I know the slap on the wrist-sugarcoated two-week suspension is not severe enough to counter the shocking and hostile on-air statements made by J.C. Corcoran. I believe that he really needs to be terminated, and be permanently banned from any compensated communications on radio, television and newspaper. Mr. Corcoran made racially derogatory comments in a voice that was intended to mock black dialect that went far beyond acceptable language usage. He further made sexually tinged comments about Amerens executives. As if that wasnt enough he also talked about climbing to the top of Ameren's building "with an AK-47 and just start picking people off." He did all of this because he was upset that his power went out during the Super Bowl halftime show. Come on, was this supposed to be some kind of twisted entertainment? I dont think so. His power went out, big deal take a look at all of the power outages here lately, you dont hear the other thousands of customers threaten to kill people do you?

I do not believe that his apology is sincere and is appropriate and is sufficient enough to prevent a recurrence. Mr. Corcoran is no newcomer to controversy, just take a look at all of his career stops here. KLOU (103.3 FM) KMOV-TV (Channel 4) KSDK-TV (Channel 5) KSHE (94.7 FM) KMOX (1120 AM) and KSD (93.7 FM).
Please do the right thing and terminate his employment.

Thank you for your time.

St. Charles, MO

Unbelievable what K-Hits has to do before JC can return to work. Doesn't seem fair that because someone was upset and said some stupid words that now the radio station has to provide internships? computers and printers for technology centers in 6 African American churches? What does this have to do with being insensitive and angry? What about the other XX number of African American churches that are not benefitting from this? That sure isn't fair, is it? Money for 20 African American students to attend cyber summer computer classes? Sponsor a youth program operated by the NAACP? Support a program run by the urban league? Wow! You would have thought that JC was insensitive for 15 weeks instead of only 15 minutes!
What should the poor, white students do? I guess they need to wait for someone else to say something stupid on the radio so they can benefit as well. Seems that everyone is looking for hand-outs these days instead of taking care of their own issues. I'll be careful next time I get mad about a multi-million dollar company treating customers with bad service and charging them for it! Wonder if some of the poor Ameren executives would like the make a copy of the Super Bowl half-time show and send it to JC. Guess not -- that might cost them $2.50.

How is J.C being punished further by the radio station doing all of that for the community. Yes that is good that they are doing what they are but why does he still have his job, or at least be demoted to late night spot maybe with not so many listeners.

I think Ameren is taking this thing too far.

Taking this a little too seriously aren't we?
It's JC, do not take away his living.

NOW WHAT DO YOU THINK I listen to jc every morning we need someone who isn't afraid to speak his mind and since he was taken off every morning is now a complete bore!!!

I think that JC has a right to speak his mind the only reason that he was put on suspension was because he was well known just like everyone else he has the freedom of speech if we can't enforce this our own policy then the law should say 'YOU CAN SPEAK YOUR MIND IF IT DOESN'T HURT ANYBODYS FEELINGS!!' but it doesn't he has the law on his side and I believe that he was in the right to speak his own mind!!!!

J.C. Corcoran's "15 minutes of Fame" was over a long time ago, as far as I'm concerned. I'm not losing any sleep over his not being on the air.
I also don't agree w/ what is nothing more than a "Shakedown" by Rev. B.T. Rice et al whose "demands" were fulfilled by Emmis Communications (e.g. two paid radio intern spots for black college students). This is right out of the Jesse Jackson playbook. Author Kenneth Timmerman wrote a book c.2002 that documented how Jackson would go to companies & make threats to get what he wanted in the name of helping blacks. I highly recommend this book.

Obviously a way for the African-American community to milk this for all it is worth. Shouldn't have happened. It is just a shame that the constitution (freedom of speech) only applies to minorities these days.
An African-American child used the "n" word against my Caucasian son, don't see anyone taking action there.

What is Emmis going to do for all the children, spouses, friends and reletives of the five people Cookie Thornton killed after doing EXACTLY what JC Cororan suggested as a way to settle your disputes?

I think

He should have been fired! No one on our airwaves should be allowed to speak like that.

He should have been fired!

Do the blacks do the same for the whites Yes he was wrong in what he said. But my god look what there getting. Do the black radio host who make comments do the same for the white group. I think 2 weeks unpaid and training woul dhave been fine and a face to face the Amern Ue to say he is sorry.

Corcoran needed to be fired years ago. We don't need him in STL

What a way to get your name in the news. I believe JC know what he was doing, and when he does come back on the air his following will double, just to see what or if he will say something again. Way to go J C what a cheap way to get attention.

HELLO AMEREN, ARE YOU LISTENING! I get tired of having to move to my relatives homes when you can't restore power in a reasonable amount of time, especially in the worst heat waves and ice storms! J.C. is just as frustrated as the rest of us, but do we have a choice...NO! We are at Ameren's mercy. They can employ more tree trimmers and linemen if the big-wigs would stop trying to make themselves millionaires. Making J.C. pay for what all of us think of you is ludicrious!

He needs to be back on the air!!

All of these people that are complaining about J.C............ why are you still listening if you don't like him??? It's his show. Find another station if he annoys you. I don't always agree with everything he says but I won't be looking for another station.......IT'S ABOUT TIME SOMEONE STARTS STANDING UP TO THE UTILITY COMPANIES

I've enjoyed listening to Mark Klose and some MUSIC in K-Hits for the past few weeks! If this were a permanant change I would be very pleased! I think Mark is one of the classiest and most knowledgable DJ's around.

I think Emmis should apologize for the statements made and then fire JC. He will come back to the station and be very apologetic while he is in survival mode, but it won't last....he will be back to his normal irritating self very soon. I stopped listening after I couldn't take him and started listening again since he has been on suspension. When he starts up again, I will once again stop listening. I sincerely hope Emmis is ready to bail him out of the next problem he creates with his closed minded, self-centered views!

Emmis could have saved themselves a lot of money and grief if they would just fire JC. The morning show that they have now are more professional and would not have caused this problem. Please keep Mark Klose on the morning show!!

This arrangemetn/agreemnt is stupid. JC is no more wrong in his actions that Ameren using its power for political gain and especially for blacks./

This is has gotten way out of hand. BT RICE needs to get over himself along with AMEREN. They wonder causes the racial divide in this community its people like him that put thereself in the news during events that do not involve them in the least. AMEREN has their own staff to handle these matters. RICE just muddies the issue and takes only one side. That is not what a so-called man of the cloth is supposed to do.

This is overkill.....he made a mistake and has paid for it...now drop it

I think having the station to give all these opportunities to blacks because jc useda slang voice is terrible. He makes fun of people in Jefferson County too. Am I to expect a job offer too??????

I think he hit the nail on the head Amre isn't nothing but a bunch of crooks and thieves that are making a ton of of money at our expense

I think people need to worry about themselves and not what some loser DJ like JC Corcoran says about a utility company. I'd be pissed to if I lost power during the superbowl. Ameren is a crp company. As for the African American bullsht, grow up people and quit whining. People today are so offended by the most rediculous comments, this country is turning into nothing but a bunch of whiners. Wha Wha Wha Wha! It's not fair, poor me!

My favorite comment is from the person who said he should be convicted for his comments - thank you, Russia, but we still have the First Ammendment.
Now, personally, I just don't see a "racist rant" here - I don't think Karen Foss is black, and the rest was intended, although over the top, to be funny. This is what his show has always been and this is why they hired him. You don't like his show? There is a great little button you can push to go listen to KMOX. I think it's amazing how giving money, computers and internships makes B.T. Rice happy - isn't that extortion? This P.C. stuff is over the top.

JC should have been ousted long ago. He's been on the station lately while on some medication for his neck. He's been rambling and harping on every subject under the sun and does not shut up. I have been listening to the morning show much more since he's been gone and loving it. They should keep him off the show!!!

Get rid of him period. The rest sounds like a French treaty. I'll give you anything if you let me surrender.

If you like J.C., tune in...if you don't, your radio comes with a cool little button. That said, I don't see how what he said is all forgiven with giving internships and computers to the black community. If the black community was held responsible every time they insulted a white person, every white child would have their own computer and personal intern. This PC stuff is out of control.

He was absolutely wrong, but I think the gifts to the community are excessive.

I agree with JC. I personally wouldn't go so far as to do the shooting, but I would certainly pay for the ammo. I have zero use for Ameren and hope I live long enough to see a CHOICE between their horrible customer service and horrendous pricing.

Once again,a few people overreact to something and create havoc for no reason. Get over it. What are we upset about? We think JC hate's black people? We think JC wants to kill people? I'm not sure what the real issue is, but I don't think anyone truly believes JC is a racist, killing machine. Enough already, let's move on and everybody just relax a little.

What is your take on J.C.'s comments?