Audacy Las Vegas has officially named Shawn Tempesta as the new morning show host for 98.5 KLUC, marking a significant personnel shift for the market’s top Classic Hits station and ending a brief, turbulent stint at rival Beasley Media Group. This move restores a two-decade local radio veteran to the daypart he previously dominated, signaling Audacy’s commitment to live, local talent over external hiring in a competitive Las Vegas cluster.
A Homecoming After a Beasley Split
Tempesta’s return to KLUC concludes a rapid career arc that began with his exit from Beasley Media Group’s 96.3 KKLZ just months after his arrival. In November 2025, Beasley split the popular “Aimee + Shawn” morning duo from 102.7 KVGS, pairing Tempesta with Carla Rea on KKLZ while moving co-host Aimee Thomas to 102.7 Coyote Country. That pairing proved short-lived; Tempesta announced his departure from KKLZ in February 2026, describing the end of his time there as “early and unfortunate”.
Prior to his Beasley tenure, Tempesta spent 11 years hosting afternoon drive at Audacy’s sister station Mix 94.1 (KMXB) and previously worked at WBMX in Boston. His decision to return to Audacy rather than pursue opportunities in other cities was driven by deep personal ties to Las Vegas, where he has lived since 2006 and raised his family.
KLUC Brand Strategy and On-Air Return
The new morning program, titled “The Shawn Show,” will air weekday mornings from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. on 98.5 KLUC. JB King, KLUC Brand Manager, emphasized that the station prioritizes “live, local and fueled by energy and genuine passion,” qualities King identified as central to Tempesta’s on-air presence.
Tempesta stated that returning to Audacy to lead a “Las Vegas radio institution” was “beyond humbling and exciting,” noting his long-standing love for the city since a failed Myspace date in 2005 led to his relocation. This appointment fills the morning slot at KLUC that was vacated by Mike O’Brian’s retirement in October 2025, a position Tempesta had briefly held before his move to KKLZ. The reinstatement of Tempesta allows Audacy to leverage a proven local personality with established audience metrics, contrasting with the experimental pairing that failed at Beasley.
Tempesta’s career trajectory highlights the volatility of morning show pairings in urban radio markets, where brand alignment and talent chemistry often determine longevity. His return to KLUC represents a strategic correction for Audacy Las Vegas, securing a host who previously led the market’s top morning show at KVGS before the Beasley restructuring.
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