Overall the station ranked 13th with a 2.6 share and weekly cume of 710,900. our stories straight," and advised her to "stay silent and to deny any allegations by other women that Ferguson had engaged in inappropriate behavior," according to the lawsuit. She's been with WTMX 101.9 The. McGurren currently co-hosts mornings at Audacy crosstown country US99 WUSN. A federal judge this week dismissed a defamation lawsuit filed by a former co-host of one of Chicagos top morning drive radio shows over alleged harassment by star Eric Ferguson. Melissa McGurren co-hosted Eric Ferguson's morning show at WTMX-FM 101.9 before leaving the Chicago radio station in December 2020. She released a video to her own Facebook account that says shes sorry for her absence and that shes all right. In the suit, McGurren said the station falsely calls (her) a liar and attacks (her) integrity credibility when it said in a statement that it did not agree with McGurrens characterization of events in relation to Ferguson. Veteran Chicago radio personality Melissa McGurrens effort to revive her $10 million defamation suit against Hubbard Radio has ended. Facebook gives people the. In her defamation suit, McGurren, who worked for 22 years at WTMX, claimed Hubbard did not perform an investigation or conducted a sham investigation of her earlier harassment allegations against Ferguson and that Hubbard attacked her credibility and integrity with comments it made to staff about her allegations. Shes been with WTMX 101.9 The Mix, for a long time, and suddenly shes gone. oh and REINVENTION. Suffice it to say that we do not agree with Melissas characterization of events.. No reason was cited for the breakup, but reports persisted of friction between Ferguson and McGurren. Her lawsuit claims station vice president Jeff England defamed her when he sent a message to staff in 2020 stating the station had investigated her claims and did not agree with [McGurrens] characterization of events a statement that McGurren said implied she was a liar, and which she claimed impugned her integrity. Eric in the Morning is expected to continue with current contributors Violeta Podrumedic and Brian Whip Paruch and producer John Swany Swanson. You have permission to edit this article. MCGURREN also brought an EEOC Charge of. Lefty reliever Brandon Hughes also has been on a later game schedule after a heavy workload last season. 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. Radio Ink. 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.. Right now, thats a fair assessment. The list of flaws with this team are many, but the fact that this Bulls front office thought Russell Westbrook might help them out could be atop that list. We wish her the best.. They miss her, they want to see her back, and they are missing what she brings to the mix when shes on the air. 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.. We take these allegations seriously and we are confident in the results of multiple investigations we have initiated, England said when announcing to staff that Ferguson would not be hosting mornings in October. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. Both she and McGurren are represented by attorney Carmen Caruso. decision dismissing McGurrens defamation claim, Column: For the Chicago Blackhawks remodel to work, their new house had better be built on a strong foundation, Merrillville food and beverage tax edging closer to reality, Remains found in Rockdale more than 25 years ago identified as Aurora woman, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. She is a mother. Sign the petition: action.bestfriends.org End Breed-Restrictive Insurance Practices in Illinois "I love Chicago and country music and I've never been more confident in an opportunity or my team. Jeff England, vice president and market manager at Hubbard Radio Chicago, was quoted as saying: Our plans for the future of Eric in the Morning definitely included Melissa. Radio host Eric Ferguson works in the WTMX-FM studio with Melissa McGurren, center, and former co-host Kathy Hart in 2009. . The duo will be heard on "Melissa and Austin," weekdays from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. CT, effective May 10. Eric Ferguson attends a Rosemont concert in 2015. The judges ruling is with prejudice, meaning DeNicolo cannot file an amended complaint. 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. 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. Ferguson's former co-host, Melissa McGurren, filed the $10 million lawsuit last fall. We dont know Jim, though, because she keeps his face out of all of her Instagram photos. Starting. McGurren then took her case to the U.S. Court of Appeals. In the court filings made public Tuesday, McGurren said that during her 22-year career at The Mix she rose from traffic reporter to show co-host with Ferguson and Brian "Whip" Paruch, who she. Melissa McGurren, the pride of Portage, Indiana, who rose from traffic reporter to full-fledged co-host of Eric Fergusons top-rated morning show, is out after more than two decades at WTMX 101.9-FM. Suffice it to say that we do not agree with Melissa's characterization of events.". May 6, 2021. Feder flashback: So you think you know Chicago television. Tell us what's wrong with this post? oh and REINVENTION. Tiffany and her husband are the proud parents of four children in her free time. View the profiles of people named Melissa McGurren. You can find a comprehensive archive of his material here. But two weeks later, McGurrens lawyer filed a motion for voluntary dismissal of the appeal. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Radio news and headlines delivered right to your e-mail box -- and it's free. Honestly, let her not forget that. Shes dating someone right now, and apparently, his name is Jim. 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. Her coworker, Whip, calls her the secret weapon on their show. "Melissa and Austin" debuted on WUSN Monday, May 10, running from 6am-9am. "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. 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. Such complaints are confidential, but her allegations later became public in a court filing that was part of DeNicolos defamation lawsuit. 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. Marci Braun continues as program director of US99 and regional brand manager of the country format for Audacy. In many ways, McGurren's departure was a replay of the drama that unfolded in 2017 when Kathy Hart severed ties with the station after 21 years as Ferguson's co-host. He was sidelined from his popular morning radio show last year. Amidst the continuing allegations, station management pulled Ferguson off the air, saying he will be sidelined through October. In a declaration attached to McGurrens defamation suit, Ashrafi said the station was a hostile, humiliating atmosphere for female employees. 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.". What really has fans upset is that no one has addressed her disappearance from the show. Guzman also provided McGurren with a window of time to amend her complaint and gave Hubbard 14 days to respond to her amended filing. She reiterated that position in a demand for arbitration filed June 24, 2021. After McGurren left WTMX, in December 2020, she filed a charge of discrimination with the U.S. The duo will be heard on "Melissa and Austin," weekdays from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. CT, effective May 10. In the midst of her absence, some of her fans have even taken the time to post on social media that the show is no longer any good without her. The decision mirrors another federal judges earlier decision dismissing McGurrens defamation claim against Hubbard. 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 . You have permission to edit this article. McGurren was one of three female former station employees to raise allegations about Ferguson in court filings after DeNicolo filed her lawsuits. McGurren brought the $10 million claim in October in response to an email in which the company told staff it had "thoroughly . In his ruling, Gomez cited the legal statute opinions that do not misstate facts are protected by the First Amendment and are non-actionable. 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. 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 . In the court filings made public Tuesday, McGurren said that during her 22-year career at The Mix she rose from traffic reporter to show co-host with Ferguson and Brian "Whip" Paruch, who she. A status hearing in DeNicolos lawsuit against Ferguson is scheduled for Thursday in Cook County Circuit Court. Moving to Chicago was a natural move for her. :). 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. The judge on Friday ruled that the station's statement regarding a complaint made by McGurren to the U.S. Shes a huge Frank Sinatra fan, too. Terms of her multiyear deal, negotiated by attorney Steve Mandell, were not disclosed. McGurren claimed in her filing that the station's management protected Ferguson for years by allowing him to "perpetuate his misconduct that goes far beyond the limits of decency." "A thorough investigation would have uncovered that Jennifer Ashrafi brought many of these same issues, that corroborate Melissa's 'characterization of events,' to England in January, 2020, months before Melissa filed her charge" with the EEOC. What a fun thing to be able to grow up and make that happen for yourself. Melissa McGurren, who worked for 22 years at the station, filed a $10 million defamation lawsuit against Hubbard Radio Chicago, claiming the company did not perform an investigation or conducted "a sham investigation" of her earlier allegations and that Hubbard attacked her credibility and integrity with comments it made to staff last week, the In a Facebook video posted earlier, McGurren told fans: "Im really sorry that I havent been there. Thanks, you guys. CHICAGO An Illinois District Court judge on Friday dismissed a $10 million defamation lawsuit by former Chicago radio host Melissa McGurren, who had filed suit against her former employer in . Tuesdays comment of the day: Rita Buda: I can't wait to listen to Rick O'Dell's top 12 smooth jazz Christmas tunes. The Audacy station is pairing up Melissa McGurren and Austin Huff to host morning drive on WUSN-FM. "We're incredibly excited to be growing our US99 family and making mornings . She has a son by the name of Porter, and she does share a little about him on her Instagram page from time to time. I wish I could fully express my gratitude and happiness about joining the US99 team, McGurren said in a statement. Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox each afternoon. 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 . Equal Employment and Opportunity Commission was an opinion and therefore did not constitute defamation. A defamation claim by former Ferguson co-host Melissa McGurren was dismissed earlier this year. A separate lawsuit she filed against Ferguson remains active. Eric Ferguson attends a Rosemont concert in 2015. 1 talking about this. Hubbard also asked Judge Franklin Valderrram to consider Judge Guzmans rationale and toss DeNicolos complaint for the same reasons. But, her cohosts have not said a word, and thats what has fans worried. In court documents filed Oct. 5, McGurren called Ferguson a serial abuser of women and claimed that station management for years has protected Ferguson in allowing him to continue in perpetrating his misconduct that goes far beyond the limits of decency despite ample notice from me and many of my co-workers that Fergusons behavior is unlawful. McGurren went on to say that the long-running morning host has grossly abused his power, and his conduct was the major reason the station became a hostile working environment., Her accusations were submitted as supporting evidence in an amended defamation lawsuit brought by former WTMX Associate Producer Cynthia DeNicolo against Hubbard. I love smooth jazz Christmas music. In response to McGurrens earlier claims, VP/Market Manager Jeff England said in an email to staff that the company thoroughly investigated this matter previously. Bei der Nutzung unserer Websites und Apps verwenden wir, unsere Websites und Apps fr Sie bereitzustellen, Nutzer zu authentifizieren, Sicherheitsmanahmen anzuwenden und Spam und Missbrauch zu verhindern, und, Ihre Nutzung unserer Websites und Apps zu messen, personalisierte Werbung und Inhalte auf der Grundlage von Interessenprofilen anzuzeigen, die Effektivitt von personalisierten Anzeigen und Inhalten zu messen, sowie, unsere Produkte und Dienstleistungen zu entwickeln und zu verbessern. The Mix and its corporate owners have been engaged in a coverup that is now exposed as a lie, Caruso told the Tribune. She's seeking $10 million in damages. Robert Feder, a lifelong Chicagoan, covered the media beat in his hometown from 1980 until his retirement in 2022. By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our. Sie knnen Ihre Einstellungen jederzeit ndern, indem Sie auf unseren Websites und Apps auf den Link Datenschutz-Dashboard klicken. DeNicolo, a former WTMX assistant producer, claims Hubbard defamed her in statements it made to the Chicago Tribune after the newspaper first reported on her original suit against Ferguson. She described him as a serial abuser of women and said management failed to respond and then forced her out when she demanded that the alleged harassment stop. Drew Walker, an 18-year veteran of US99 who most recently has been hosting mornings, returns to middays from 9 a.m. to noon. Her new role will make them direct competitors. Last December Hubbard filed to have DeNicolos suit dismissed and to strike some of the allegations in her second amended complaint. 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. Wenn Sie Ihre Auswahl anpassen mchten, klicken Sie auf Datenschutzeinstellungen verwalten. "I wish I could fully express my gratitude and happiness about joining the US99 team," McGurren said in a statement. All four women alleged management protected him because of his shows high ratings. She did promise her followers back in October that she would reveal him sooner or later, but shes yet to do so. Melissa McGurren, 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 101.9-FM, Robert Feder writes. 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." (Todd Rosenberg Photography) McGurren was offered a. But we also owe it to ourselves and our listeners to have a deliberate and thoughtful process about our path forward, and candidly we are not there yet.. Being part of a morning show means shes sharing so much of her life with the people who listen. Englands internal email is an informational communication to Plaintiffs former coworkers and defendants current employees, Guzman wrote. Heres a fun fact: Shes been writing and creating her own radio shows since she was a little girl of only 8. She loves that they listen to her, that they reach out to her, and that they want to connect with her through their own stories. CHICAGO An Illinois District Court judge on Friday dismissed a $10 million defamation lawsuit by former Chicago radio host Melissa McGurren, who had filed suit against her former employer in connection with sexual harassment allegations against her former co-host on The Mix, Eric Ferguson. Thank you so much. A statement released by the company alludes to a contract extension offer it says McGurren turned down, but it provided no other details. You can find a comprehensive archive of his material here. 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.. 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 while responding to her harassment claims against former co-host Eric Ferguson. Shes always wanted to be in the business, and she always wanted to do things like this that she loves so much. She is expected to be paid through the end of the year, when her contract expires. A former assistant producer for Ferguson, Cynthia DeNicolo, had alleged the company defamed her last year by stating it found no evidence to corroborate her allegations that Ferguson engaged in illegal workplace conduct at WTMX-FM 101.9. Now, in her defamation suit, McGurren accuses Hubbard of intending to injure her and jeopardize her new career. England's October 5 email prompted McGurren to sue for defamation, alleging that his statement falsely branded her a liar by attacking her credibility and integrity. Whatever Happened to Brian Buckner from Barnwood Builders? 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. Melissa McGurren won't be a name you recognize unless you live in Chicago, but she's very famous in her own town. In a four-page ruling issued by the United District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Judge Ronald A. Guzman granted Hubbard Radio Chicago petition to dismiss the suit brought by McGurren. Last week U.S. District Court. She's a radio host, and she has a huge fan base. Melissa McGurren will co-host a new morning show on country station WUSN-FM 99.5 starting Monday. Jan 27, 2022 Help create big change for the pets and people in our community. "We're incredibly excited to be growing . 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. Wednesdays comment of the day: Charles Schutt: Isn't joining NewsNation now pretty comparable to wanting a deckchair on the Andrea Doria or the Titanic AS they are going down? "The Mix is sad to announce that after 22 years with the station, Melissa McGurren was offered a contract extension which much to our surprise she declined," the statement said. McGurren now hosts mornings on Audacy country station WUSN-FM 99.5. 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." Mom 1st. Executives from the radio station said at the time they were surprised McGurren declined a contract extension. 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. Believer of love, kindness, truth and honesty. The six-bedroom, eight-bath mansion on Elm Street sold May 29. 13 talking about this. Her writing gained recognition and since 2009, she's written for sites such as What to Expect, Where'd My Sanity Go, and dozens more. She is a huge fan of different genres of music that would never be played on her own station. When she informed me of her decision, she described her time at the station as a privilege and that feeling is completely mutual.