OK, love you all. While she does not address the actual reason for her disappearance, she does make it clear that she and her family are all healthy and shes hopeful everyone stays that way. McGurren had been with WTMX for 22 years serving as a traffic reporter until moving up to morning co-host following the departure of Kathy . Melissa McGurren to co-host a new morning show on Chicago country Mom 1st. He was sidelined from his popular morning radio show last year. Radio Ink. Bye bye., Ferguson, who was not involved in the negotiations between Mandell and Hubbard, said: "I was surprised and disappointed when I heard the news, but I think it's important to be supportive when someone chooses to do something new in their life.". After being missing from "Eric In The Morning" for the past several weeks, Hubbard Hot AC "101.9 The Mix" WTMX Skokie/Chicago has revealed that co-host Melissa McGurren is departing the station after declining a contract extension offered to her. Feder: US99 hires Melissa McGurren to host mornings - Daily Herald She's back: US99 hires Melissa McGurren to host mornings In her lawsuit against Ferguson, DeNicolo alleged that he blocked raises and promotions, then orchestrated her dismissal after she refused to resume a brief sexual relationship that occurred early in her career. 10 Things You Didnt Know about The Sticklers, Luann de Lesseps Accuses Russell Simmons of Groping Her, 10 Things You Didnt Know about Mariana Jasel, 10 Things You Didnt Know About Leo Sheng, 10 Things You Didnt Know about Lele Pons, Being a Movie Superhero Doesnt Always Mean Your Kids Will Like It, 10 Things You Didnt Know about Rila Fukushima, 10 Things You Didnt Know about Asya Branch, 10 Things You Didnt Know about Tricia Ana, Guy Builds Insane Star Trek Man Cave Theater, This Clever Never-Ending LEGO Climber Automaton. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Radio news and headlines delivered right to your e-mail box -- and it's free. McGurren now hosts mornings on Audacy country station WUSN-FM 99.5. Judge dismisses defamation case against WTMX owner - Chicago Sun-Times But the remarks in Englands note, which soon after appeared in the press, did not rise to the level of defamation under Illinois state law, according to an order issued Tuesday by U.S. District Judge Ronald Guzman dismissing the case. Thank you so much. DeNicolos position is that the statements not only accuse her of on-the-job malfeasance but also prejudice her in her trade and profession. Cheryl Corley, Greg Kot win Headline Club Lifetime Achievement Awards, My childhood dream became the honor of a lifetime, Robservations: Sun-Times moving to Old Post Office; ABC 7 opens weekend anchor slot; Medill tracks local news decline, Robservations: StreetWise raises cover price; Sventoonie takes a break; Friends of Chicago Reporter mark 50. The six-bedroom, eight-bath mansion on Elm Street sold May 29. She too was represented by Mandell. "I wish I could fully express my gratitude and happiness about joining the US99 team," McGurren said in a statement. McGurren spent most of . WTMX promoted Chris Petlak from afternoons to mornings, effective Jan. 24. The dismissal of Melissa McGurren's $10 million defamation lawsuit against Hubbard Radio Chicago doesn't mean the end of legal problems for Eric Ferguson or the parent company of hot adult . Her writing has allowed her to visit NYC for Fashion Week events since 2015, and she's worked with clients in almost every field, from dentistry to law and family to entertainment. Hubbard Radio/Chicago VP/Market Manager Jeff England said in a memo to employees on October 5 that the company "thoroughly investigated this matter previously. WUSN-FM (US99)/Chicago morning co-host Melissa McGurren has filed a defamation lawsuit against her former employer, crosstown Hubbard Radio, reports the Chicago Tribune. I know this is exactly where I'm supposed to be, and I couldn't be happier to make this new move in my career.". Audacy Announces Debut of New Morning Show on US99 in Chicago It all comes just as Ferguson is back from his latest surgery for spinal stenosis, a procedure involving spinal decompression and disc fusion. The accusations of sexual harassment and abuse of power levied against Eric Ferguson continue to pile up as a fourth accuser has come forward, while the station he hosts mornings at, Hubbard hot AC 101.9 The Mix WTMX Chicago, is hit with a $10 million lawsuit from a former co-host of Fergusons. The breakup came less than a year after the ubiquitous duo known as "Eric & Kathy" were inducted in the Radio Hall of Fame. Until recently he also hosted a podcast on the site. She is very proud of the young man her son is becoming, she loves that he is funny and helpful and that he is thoughtful. McGurren said she quit the station in 2020 after years of complaining about Fergusons on- and off-air behavior, claims she said were ignored by station executives who sought to protect the popular host. Rachel Williamson, regional president and market manager of Audacy Chicago, said the team of McGurren and Huff "will bring energy, positivity, chemistry, and a lot of fun to this fresh and dynamic local show to serve Chicagos country listeners. oh and REINVENTION. Shes a huge Frank Sinatra fan, too. A defamation claim by former Ferguson co-host Melissa McGurren was dismissed earlier this year. Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox each afternoon. Robert Feder, a lifelong Chicagoan, covered the media beat in his hometown from 1980 until his retirement in 2022. Last week U.S. District Court. McGurren, the pride of Portage, Indiana, who rose from traffic reporter to co-host of Eric Ferguson's morning show at The Mix, has been off the air since she and the station parted company late last year. In the latest Nielsen Audio survey, US99 tied for 15th in mornings with a 2.0 percent share and cumulative weekly audience of 250,800. DeNicolos other lawsuit, against Hubbard, accused her former employer of defaming her when the company stated it had investigated her claims against Ferguson but did not find corroborating evidence. Melissa McGurren, the pride of Portage, Indiana, who rose from traffic reporter to full-fledged co-host of Eric Ferguson's top-rated morning show, is out after more than two decades at WTMX. Feder: The Mix bids farewell to morning co-star Melissa McGurren McGurren had argued that when the station owner made its statement, it knew that Ferguson was a serial abuser of women and that Hubbard knowingly published false information when it said it did not agree with her characterization of events. Such complaints are confidential, but her allegations later became public in a court filing that was part of DeNicolos defamation lawsuit. You can find a comprehensive archive of his material here. You have permission to edit this article. 1 talking about this. Her new role will make them direct competitors. US99 Chicago Launches New Morning Show - Radio Ink Both she and McGurren are represented by attorney Carmen Caruso. Melissa McGurren, former morning co-host on WTMX 101.9-FM, worked at the Hubbard Radio Chicago station that's more popularly known as The Mix for more than two decades before leaving in 2020. I love Chicago and country music and Ive never been more confident in an opportunity or my team. "I love Chicago and country music and I've never been more confident in an opportunity or my team. MELISSA MCGURREN, who co-hosted "Eric in the Morning" during a 22-year stretch at the station, sued FERGUSON alleging a pattern of sexual misconduct. Subscribe to Patch's new newsletter to be the first to know about open houses, new listings and more. McGurren, who worked for the WTMX-FM for 22 years, alleged in the suit that the station defamed her in choosing not to side with her in her complaints of sexual harassment by Ferguson. I really truly am. Melissa McGurren - Facebook Melissa McGurren, who spent 22 years with WTMX-101.9-FM and co-hosted the "Eric in the Morning" with Ferguson, in 2020 filed suit against WTMX owner Hubbard Radio Chicago, claiming an email sent to her former coworkers implied she was lying about alleged abusive behavior by Ferguson. WTMX afternoon host Chris Petlak succeeded Ferguson as host of the morning show on The Mix in January. It acknowledges the existence of plaintiffs pending EEOC claim, does not discuss particular facts, and simply indicates that the station has conducted its own investigations and does not agree with Plaintiffs characterization of events a classic statement of opinion.. The Tribune also reports that McGurren, who co-hosted "Eric in the Morning" on The Mix, described Ferguson in a December complaint to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission as a "serial abuser of women" who had subjected her to an "unbearable hostile work environment." What really has fans upset is that no one has addressed her disappearance from the show. In the latest Nielsen Audio survey, The Mix ranked third overall in mornings with a 7.3 percent share and cumulative weekly audience of 390,600. Ashrafi, who was afternoon co-host and traffic reporter at WTMX using the on-air name Jennifer Roberts, is the fourth former female staff member to back claims against the station and Ferguson. Shes been gone from the program long enough that her fans have been a little worried. Fans have been worried. She is a huge fan of different genres of music that would never be played on her own station. All four women alleged management protected him because of his shows high ratings. Tell us what's wrong with this post? By. Feder flashback: So you think you know Chicago television. Now, in her defamation suit, McGurren accuses Hubbard of intending to injure her and jeopardize her new career. Melissa McGurren & Austin Huff To Host Mornings At US99 McGurren filed her own federal lawsuit against Hubbard shortly afterward. A status hearing in DeNicolos lawsuit against Ferguson is scheduled for Thursday in Cook County Circuit Court. Being part of a morning show means shes sharing so much of her life with the people who listen. The duo will be heard on "Melissa and Austin," weekdays from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. CT, effective May 10. While McGurrens case against Hubbard has ended, a similar defamation lawsuit filed by Cynthia DeNicolo against the broadcaster continues to be litigated in U.S. District Court in Chicago. Weitere Informationen ber die Verwendung Ihrer personenbezogenen Daten finden Sie in unserer Datenschutzerklrung und unserer Cookie-Richtlinie. She reiterated that position in a demand for arbitration filed June 24, 2021. Thank you for all those great messages. McGurren was one of three female former station employees to raise allegations about Ferguson in court filings after DeNicolo filed her lawsuits. Melissa McGurren, Eric Ferguson's morning show co-host, on leaving WTMX McGurren comes from Hubbard Broadcasting crosstown hot AC "101.9 FM The Mix" WTMX, where she spent more than two decades, first as a traffic reporter then as co-host of "Eric in the Morning." Join Facebook to connect with Melissa McGurren and others you may know. Eric Ferguson attends a Rosemont concert in 2015. Veteran Chicago radio personality Melissa McGurren's effort to revive her $10 million defamation suit against Hubbard Radio has ended. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission that alleged Ferguson had harassed her. The judge also found that Hubbard did not cross the line because its statement expressed an opinion regarding McGurrens claim to the EEOC. We are heartened by the fact that now two federal courts and an arbitrator have ruled in Hubbards favor and have concluded that the claims brought by Ms. McGurren and Ms. DeNicolo against Hubbard lacked any legal merit, attorney Michael Roche, a partner at Winston & Strawn who represented Hubbard Radio Chicago in the litigation, said in an emailed statement. "We're incredibly excited to be growing our US99 family and making mornings . (Todd Rosenberg Photography) McGurren was offered a. Whatever Happened to Brian Buckner from Barnwood Builders? McGurren, who left the show in late 2020 after 22 years, has said in court filings that Ferguson created an unbearably hostile work environment. Melissa McGurren, who was a mainstay of Hubbard Radio hot adult-contemporary WTMX 101.9-FM for 22 years, has been hired by Audacy country WUSN 99.5-FM to lead a brand-new morning show. "Drew [Walker] returns to late mornings and middays and will continue to bring the energy and companionship country listeners have grown to love to get them through their day. Chicago radio host Melissa McGurren on Thursday accused her former employer, Hubbard Radio Chicago, of defamation in a new lawsuit that includes fresh allegations that WTMX-FM management . Lefty reliever Brandon Hughes also has been on a later game schedule after a heavy workload last season. It just brings alertness and focus to the game., White Sox notebook: Benintendi, Anderson, Alberto, Saturdays win. Second woman alleges inappropriate behavior by Eric Ferguson of The Mix What a fun thing to be able to grow up and make that happen for yourself. Jan 27, 2022 Help create big change for the pets and people in our community. Veteran Chicago radio personality Melissa McGurrens effort to revive her $10 million defamation suit against Hubbard Radio has ended. She did promise her followers back in October that she would reveal him sooner or later, but shes yet to do so. When he stepped down after 25 years at the station, Ferguson said in a statement that he was energized to move forward and defend myself against claims made against me and the station.. Melissa McGurren co-hosted Eric Ferguson's morning show at WTMX-FM 101.9 before leaving the Chicago radio station in December 2020. Former Eric Ferguson co-host Melissa McGurren breaks silence, alleges Wenn Sie Ihre Auswahl anpassen mchten, klicken Sie auf Datenschutzeinstellungen verwalten. In January 2020, I resigned after I lined up another job.. Melissa McGurren, who spent 22 years with WTMX-101.9-FM and co-hosted the Eric in the Morning with Ferguson, in 2020 filed suit against WTMX owner Hubbard Radio Chicago, claiming an email sent to her former coworkers implied she was lying about alleged abusive behavior by Ferguson. Judge dismisses defamation case against WTMX owner, Netflix looks to curb password sharing, considers ads, Aiming to predict COVID, future pandemics better, CDC opens infectious diseases forecasting center, Joliet farmers wrangle cows thrown from semitrailer after crash on Interstate 80, 1 killed, 3 wounded in shootings Tuesday in Chicago, Obama relatives sue Milwaukee school alleging racial bias, Unmasked transit: Pritzker ends mask mandates in public transportation, airports, Dear Abby: When my husbands brother marries, I should be in the wedding, Jose Abreu on life with the Astros and leaving the White Sox, who werent a family in 2022, Founding fathers didnt own AR-15s or large capacity magazines, Pritzker and Raoul argue in defense of ban, Dear Abby: With boyfriends fussy father living here, I feel trapped, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and wife to invest $250 million in new Chicago research lab, Nazareth beats Lincoln to win Class 3A state title, Why Cubs Keegan Thompson made his 2023 spring-training debut a week after the opener, White Sox manager Pedro Grifol likes Andrew Benintendi in the 3-hole, Are the Bulls fixable this season? It finished first among women between 35 and 64. Last December Hubbard filed to have DeNicolos suit dismissed and to strike some of the allegations in her second amended complaint. In court filings, McGurren said Ferguson demeaned, harassed and ridiculed her when they worked together. We were disappointed by her decision not to renew her contract, but also know that this year has led all of us to assess our lives in different ways. A second female former employee of WTMX-FM has come forward to say longtime on-air host Eric Ferguson engaged in sexually inappropriate conduct, alleging in a Thursday court filing that he groped. Valderrama said the analysis in McGurrens lawsuit was applicable and persuasive in DeNicolos case because the companys published statements in both situations were similar. DeNicolo also sued Ferguson, claiming he abused his power to coerce sexual favors from her early in her career and then prevented her from advancing after she rebuffed efforts to restart an unwanted sexual relationship.. I love smooth jazz Christmas music. Violeta Podrumedic, Brian Whip Paruch, Melissa McGurren and Eric Ferguson. CHICAGO - A federal judge has dismissed Chicago radio host Melissa McGurren's defamation lawsuit against her former employer, Hubbard Radio Chicago, whom she alleged falsely branded her a liar. The former morning show co-host at Hubbard hot AC The Mix WTMX Chicago has withdrawn her appeal of a federal court decision that dismissed the suit. McGurren, who claimed the company defamed her when it responded to her harassment charges against former Mix co-host Eric Ferguson, filed an amended appeal July 29 in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh District. But in a Nov. 28 written opinion, U.S. District Judge Franklin Valderrama of the Northern District of Illinois found the statements were nonactionable and did not defame DeNicolo. 0. She claimed Hubbard falsely branded her as a liar in a staff memo after she reported Ferguson for [] It's hard to choose, they all sound so great. Robert Feder, a lifelong Chicagoan, covered the media beat in his hometown from 1980 until his retirement in 2022. Overall the station ranked 13th with a 2.6 share and weekly cume of 710,900. Terms of her multiyear deal, negotiated by attorney Steve Mandell, were not disclosed. But, her cohosts have not said a word, and thats what has fans worried. Believer of love, kindness, truth and honesty. Radio host sells Hinsdale home for less than he paid - Crain's Chicago Melissa McGurren will co-host a new morning show on country station WUSN-FM 99.5 starting Monday. A hearing on Hubbards motion to dismiss was held Tuesday, Aug. 30 and the court is expected to issue an opinion on the motion soon. She's seeking $10 million in damages. Melissa McGurren Departs WTMX's Eric In The Morning Dismissal of Melissa McGurren's defamation suit doesn't end legal Visitation, Funeral Set For Fallen Chicago Police Officer, Police Chief And US Attorney Plan Resignation + Police Funeral, New Details Emerge In Chicago Cop's Slaying, No Bail For 18-Year-Old, 2023 Employment Law Updates: New Compliance Obligations for 2023, Information Session: Human Resources Certificate Programs, Financial Planning Certificate Information Session, Working, Weaving, Filming: Naomi Uman and Laura Huertas Milln, Illinois 16 or 8-Hour Illinois Concealed Carry Classes $160, Celebrate National Oreo Cookie Day with $3 Oreo Cookies & Cream Shakes @ Burger 21 Orland Park, Outpouring Of Support At Vigil For Fallen Chicago Police Officer Andres Vasquez-Lasso, Chicago FOP President John Catanzara Facing Challenger In Bid For Re-Election, Food Pantries Prepare To See Rise In Demand After SNAP Benefits Cut, Mike'd Up: How A Chicagoan's Ditka-Inspired Bachelor Party Went Viral. Suffice it to say that we do not agree with Melissas characterization of events.. I wish I could fully express my gratitude and happiness about joining the US99 team, McGurren said in a statement. A onetime producer of "The Jim Rome Show" for CBS Sports Radio, he owns and operatesKorkedBats.com,a comedy sports blog. DeNicolo has also filed a separate $10 million defamation lawsuit against Hubbard Radio Chicago. By November 2019, I could not stand to be in that hostile work environment another day. She collaborated with the NFL, CDC, and Heads Up Football Program in 2012 and 2013. By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our. WUSN-FM (US99)/Chicago morning co-host Melissa McGurren has filed a defamation lawsuit against her former employer, crosstown Hubbard Radio, reports the Chicago Tribune.On Thursday, she alleged that WTMX-FM (The Mix) management perpetuated a culture of discrimination to protect cash cows such as its morning host Eric Ferguson "at any cost."