"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. According to the newspaper, the suit includes a declaration as an exhibit from another former employee, Jennifer Ashrafi, who said she left as the station's afternoon co-host in January, 2020 because she was so "disgusted" by the "misogyny, gender discrimination and hostile work environment that was pervasive" at the station. Fans have been worried. 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. Jan 27, 2022 Help create big change for the pets and people in our community. Radio host Eric Ferguson works in the WTMX-FM studio with Melissa McGurren, center, and former co-host Kathy Hart in 2009. . Paddock Publications, Inc. is an Employee-Owned Company. 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. The arbitrator in McGurrens EEOC case ruled in Hubbards favor earlier this year. Guzman again, disagreed, saying that the statement was an opinion based on its position rather than a statement of facts. Audacy announced a new morning show for US99 (WUSN-FM) in Chicago, welcoming local media veteran Melissa McGurren and Austin Huff as morning show co-hosts. Executives from the radio station said at the time they were surprised McGurren declined a contract extension. I want to just make sure that I wished everybody a happy belated Thanksgiving and I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas, and miss you all. 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. A thorough investigation would have uncovered that Jennifer Ashrafi brought many of these same issues, that corroborate Melissas characterization of events, to England in January 2020, months before Melissa filed her charge with the EEOC. 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. 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. I love Chicago and country music and Ive never been more confident in an opportunity or my team. Now, in her defamation suit, McGurren accuses Hubbard of intending to injure her and jeopardize her new career. WTMX afternoon host Chris Petlak succeeded Ferguson as host of the morning show on The Mix in January. Veteran Chicago radio personality Melissa McGurren's effort to revive her $10 million defamation suit against Hubbard Radio has ended. We look forward to getting them under oath for questioning.. Hubbard Radios statement that the company thoroughly investigated McGurrens allegations is false, according to McGurrens suit. Im honored to wake up with this city every morning, and I cannot wait to have a ton of fun in the process.. I cant believe Justin Fields and I are moving to Chicago at the same time, especially considering he throws a much tighter spiral than me, Huff was quoted as saying. Sie knnen Ihre Einstellungen jederzeit ndern, indem Sie auf unseren Websites und Apps auf den Link Datenschutz-Dashboard klicken. The rest of the station's lineup remains intact, with New York-based Katie Neal from noon to 3 p.m., Scotty Kay from 3 to 7 p.m. and Detroit-based Rob Stone and Holly Hutton from 7 p.m. to midnight. 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.. She is expected to be paid through the end of the year, when her contract expires. She became a stay-at-home mom and writer with her own blog. He calls her the secret weapon, and continues with, theres something unique about her, something super appealing, that is so central to the show, and hes not wrong according to fans. The Audacy station is pairing up Melissa McGurren and Austin Huff to host morning drive on WUSN-FM. (Todd Rosenberg Photography) McGurren was offered a. Honestly, let her not forget that. View the profiles of people named Melissa McGurren. 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. 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. May 6, 2021. Whatever Happened to Brian Buckner from Barnwood Builders? 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 . Starting Monday, she will host "Melissa and Austin" from 6 to 9 a.m. weekdays with co-host Austin Huff, a radio producer and podcaster just in from St. Louis. She too was represented by Mandell. Robservations: WGN Radio names Steve Alexander to succeed Orion Samuelson, 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. 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. Shes a huge Frank Sinatra fan, too. Both she and McGurren are represented by attorney Carmen Caruso. How could we improve it? 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. Suffice it to say that we do not agree with Melissa's characterization of events.". Its an adjustment to have to talk about your life to so many people, but she loves that it allows her to connect to those around her. Melissa McGurren co-hosted Eric Ferguson's morning show at WTMX-FM 101.9 before leaving the Chicago radio station in December 2020. It finished first among women between 35 and 64. In a Facebook video posted earlier, McGurren told fans: "Im really sorry that I havent been there. Thank you so much. She grew up in Portage, Indiana, which is not too far. (Daniel Boczarski/Getty). However, McGurren's suit states "Hubbard Radio's statement" that the company "thoroughly investigated" her allegations "is false." 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." Heres a fun fact: Shes been writing and creating her own radio shows since she was a little girl of only 8. A status hearing in DeNicolos lawsuit against Ferguson is scheduled for Thursday in Cook County Circuit Court. 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. A statement released by the company alludes to a contract extension offer it says McGurren turned down, but it provided no other details. The judge on Friday ruled that the station's statement regarding a complaint made by McGurren to the U.S. Hubbard Radios statement that the company thoroughly investigated McGurrens allegations is false, according to McGurrens suit, as reported by the Tribune. Its actually good for the game, Sox manager Pedro Grifol said. She collaborated with the NFL, CDC, and Heads Up Football Program in 2012 and 2013. 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. Ferguson, 55, has denied the allegations but was sidelined from his popular morning show in October 2021, weeks after the Tribune first reported that DeNicolo had sued him earlier that year. Michael Jackson, for instance, is a huge favorite for her. By. 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 . Attorney Carmen Caruso, who represents both women, declined Tuesday to comment on Valderramas ruling. We wish her the best.. Last week U.S. District Court. 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. In a March 1 ruling, Judge Ronald Guzman found Hubbard Chicago VP/Market Manager Jeff Englands comments to be non-actionable statements of opinion that did not fall into any of the five categories that Illinois law deems to be defamatory. McGurren and her agent, attorney Steve Mandell, declined requests for comment. 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. 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. 1 talking about this. 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. It's hard to choose, they all sound so great. Violeta Podrumedic, Brian Whip Paruch, Melissa McGurren and Eric Ferguson. Typically, cohosts will announce if youve been on maternity leave, if you are taking personal time, traveling, whatever. A onetime producer of "The Jim Rome Show" for CBS Sports Radio, he owns and operatesKorkedBats.com,a comedy sports blog. No reason was cited for the breakup, but reports persisted of friction between Ferguson and McGurren. McGurren, who left the show in late 2020 after 22 years, has said in court filings that. McGurren then took her case to the U.S. Court of Appeals. 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." 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. 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. The decision mirrors another federal judges earlier decision dismissing McGurrens defamation claim against Hubbard. DeNicolo has also filed a separate $10 million defamation lawsuit against Hubbard Radio Chicago. By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our. Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox each afternoon. 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. "We're incredibly excited to be growing our US99 family and making mornings . 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 . His name is actually Brian Paruch, but hes been called Whip for more than a decade. We thought wed look into her life and see whats up with her and the fact that shes been gone for months. Hubbard also asked Judge Franklin Valderrram to consider Judge Guzmans rationale and toss DeNicolos complaint for the same reasons. I know this is exactly where Im supposed to be, and I couldnt be happier to make this new move in my career.. 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. Shes always wanted to be in the business, and she always wanted to do things like this that she loves so much. 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. McGurren filed her own federal lawsuit against Hubbard shortly afterward. WTMX promoted Chris Petlak from afternoons to mornings, effective Jan. 24. Officials of the Hubbard Radio hot adult-contemporary station ended speculation today about McGurren's lengthy absenceand announced a parting of the ways. It is humiliating to watch and dehumanizing to know that nothing can be done because the management at The Mix approved Fergusons misconduct by their silence in not reprimanding him., Ashrafis filing continued: This is one of many examples of microaggressions and suggestive comments women at The Mix are expected to endure (in addition to being underpaid and marginalized). We dont know Jim, though, because she keeps his face out of all of her Instagram photos. In court filings, McGurren said Ferguson demeaned, harassed and ridiculed her when they worked together. In the defamation suit filed Thursday, she said Hubbard did not perform an investigation or conducted "a sham investigation" into her allegations, and the company attacked her credibility and integrity with comments it made last week to staff. 13 talking about this. 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. similar defamation lawsuit filed by Cynthia DeNicolo, Hubbard parted ways with the morning host. Melissa McGurren Drops Attempt To Revive Her Defamation Case Against Hubbard. How would you rate this article? Moving to Chicago was a natural move for her. Get the full report, and more Chicago media news, at robertfeder.com. Veteran Chicago radio personality Melissa McGurrens effort to revive her $10 million defamation suit against Hubbard Radio has ended. Shes dating someone right now, and apparently, his name is Jim. Valderrama said the analysis in McGurrens lawsuit was applicable and persuasive in DeNicolos case because the companys published statements in both situations were similar. What really has fans upset is that no one has addressed her disappearance from the show. Drew Walker, an 18-year veteran of US99 who most recently has been hosting mornings, returns to middays from 9 a.m. to noon. 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.. Klicken Sie auf Alle ablehnen, wenn Sie nicht mchten, dass wir und unsere Partner Cookies und personenbezogene Daten fr diese zustzlichen Zwecke verwenden. Terms of her multiyear deal, negotiated by attorney Steve Mandell, were not disclosed. You can find a comprehensive archive of his material here. 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.
