08/16/2026
Tom Bauerle has been let go from WBEN -his contract not being renewed. The Radio Talk Show host has worked for the station for 24 years after hosting a morning show on WGR Radio and short terms at WTKN AM in Tampa and KMOX in St. Louis.
In recent years he faced public scrutiny and a civil lawsuit from his siblings regarding their late mother’s estate.
Word of his termination surfaced via social media from his wife who claims he was fired returning from a trip with WBEN fans to Italy.
Bauerle posted this on his page after the news of his firing broke:
"Hey!
Thank you for a great 42 years combined at those two Buffalo stations.
Your support and support of sponsors has been like a great dream.
This was the life I chose, and no matter how loyal ANYONE is to ANY employer, EVERY ONE gets popped eventually.
MY SITUATION IS NO DIFFERENT THAN OR MORE IMPORTANT THAN ANYONE ELSE'S!
Nothing ever happened to me that didn't work out for the better, and every day I spend with my wife Richelle Derrah Bauerle I am reminded of that.
Yes I was FIRED, one day after returning from a sold out Italy trip with fans.
My original ego-saving defense mechanism wanted this to be a "retirement" spin, and after a 45 year career I was in temporary denial.
Richelle properly knocked sense into me and said, "Tom, why bu****it your listeners? That makes YOU like Soros fake news! That isn't who you are and you know it!"
I apologize for my 6 hour moral lapse, and Friday conversations with certain others knocked sense back into me.
I love you all.
I have had and continue to have a great life and am filled with gratitude to you.
I will be a competitor."
