WABE’s Lois Reitzes Announces June 2025 Retirement from Weekday Radio Hosting
The longtime host of CITY LIGHTS and SECOND CUP CONCERT will conclude her 45-year career as one of Atlanta’s signature radio voices this summer.
Watch the final show of City Lights with Lois Reitzes , taped live from the WABE Studios.
June 26th
ATLANTA (March 6, 2025) – WABE 90.1 FM’s legendary radio personality Lois Reitzes announced today her retirement from weekday hosting at the end of June 2025, marking 45 years on air at WABE 90.1. Known for her unmistakable voice and unwavering dedication to the arts, Reitzes has played a crucial role in amplifying Atlanta’s cultural landscape through compelling interviews and programming that elevate local artists and creative communities.
Reitzes will conclude hosting her popular weekday arts and culture show, CITY LIGHTS WITH LOIS REITZES, on June 26, 2025. Afterwards, Reitzes will remain part of WABE as an occasional contributor to CITY LIGHTS. Reitzes will continue being heard as the host of WABE’s weekly performance broadcasts of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, recorded at the Woodruff Arts Center, through the end of the current broadcast season in March 2026.
A Storied Career in Public Radio
Since joining WABE in 1979, Reitzes has been a defining voice in Atlanta’s classical music and arts programming. She debuted as a music programmer and the host of WABE’s EARLY MORNING MUSIC at 6-7 a.m. from 1979 to 1982. She then pivoted to host the beloved SECOND CUP CONCERT from 1982 to 2015, introducing generations of listeners to the world of classical music. In 2015, WABE launched CITY LIGHTS WITH LOIS REITZES, a flagship platform for showcasing Atlanta’s vibrant arts and culture scene.
“Lois has been the heart and soul of WABE’s arts and culture coverage for decades,” said Jennifer Dorian, President and CEO of WABE. “Her passion for the arts and storytelling has helped shape WABE’s identity. Though we will all miss hearing her daily, we are excited Lois will continue sharing her voice and expertise with our audience.”
Honoring a Legacy of Arts Advocacy
Beyond hosting, Reitzes has been a fierce advocate for the arts and public broadcasting. She served as WABE’s Program Director from 1992 to 2007 and became the Director of Arts and Cultural Programming in 2007. Her contributions to Georgia’s radio and arts scene were recognized when she was inducted into the Friends of Georgia Radio Hall of Legends in 2022.
Reflecting on her retirement, Reitzes shared: “It has been an absolute privilege to connect with listeners and share my love for the arts. I am deeply grateful to have been part of Atlanta’s cultural story and am thrilled to continue supporting WABE as a contributor. The arts will always be my passion, and I look forward to continuing to celebrate and champion Atlanta’s creative community.”
WABE remains committed to delivering in-depth arts and culture programming. The station is working with Lois and her team to develop the next iteration of CITY LIGHTS that will debut on WABE 90.1 FM in the summer. The program will continue to highlight Atlanta’s creative voices, ensuring that amplifying local artists and cultural organizations remains at the forefront of WABE’S mission. More details about the future of CITY LIGHTS will be announced at a later date.
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About WABE
WABE is Atlanta’s NPR and PBS station, delivering fact-based journalism and engaging cultural content that informs, inspires, and empowers audiences. With programming spanning radio, television, digital platforms, and live events, WABE connects communities across multiple media channels. WABE’s original programming, alongside national NPR and PBS content, is available on WABE 90.1 FM, WABE.org, WABE TV (PBS-30), and WABE-HD1/WABE-HD2, as well as streaming on multiple digital platforms. Visit wabe.org for more information.