KDKA-AM radio afternoon drive host Fred Honsberger returns to the airwaves Monday, after being sidelined by a fractured shoulder and other health-related issues since June.

Being off the air in the thick of a presidential election race is torture for a talk host, and Mr. Honsberger says he's looking forward to jumping back into the fray. "It's the best time. It doesn't get any better than this."

He's continuing with a program of physical therapy and will do the show from his home studio while he's on the mend. Mr. Honsberger has kept listeners updated through his blog on the station Web site and says he's received a lot of e-mail. "It's wonderful to know that so many people miss me. I thank them for their concern and support."

Mr. Honsberger's talk show will be in its former time slot -- weekdays from 3 to 5 p.m. -- and he'll resume his role in "The KDKA 5 O'clock Total News Hour."