She claimed Hubbard falsely branded her as a liar in a staff memo after she reported Ferguson for [] She reiterated that position in a demand for arbitration filed June 24, 2021. "Melissa and Austin" debuted on WUSN Monday, May 10, running from 6am-9am. But, her cohosts have not said a word, and thats what has fans worried. Chicago | Mornings @US99Chicago 6-9am SHOP Melissa's Amazon Favorites link below . similar defamation lawsuit filed by Cynthia DeNicolo, Hubbard parted ways with the morning host. Tiffany and her husband are the proud parents of four children in her free time. A defamation claim by former Ferguson co-host Melissa McGurren was dismissed earlier this year. Wenn Sie Ihre Auswahl anpassen mchten, klicken Sie auf Datenschutzeinstellungen verwalten. 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. 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 . She became a stay-at-home mom and writer with her own blog. She's seeking $10 million in damages. oh and REINVENTION. Now, in her defamation suit, McGurren accuses Hubbard of intending to injure her and jeopardize her new career. It sounds to us like shes your every day proud mom, but let us not forget he is so many of these things because of who she is. 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? Much like McGurren made allegations attached as a filing in another former WTMX employees suit, Ashrafi is using a similar legal maneuver. Drew Walker, an 18-year veteran of US99 who most recently has been hosting mornings, returns to middays from 9 a.m. to noon. Suffice it to say that we do not agree with Melissas characterization of events.. 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. Moving to Chicago was a natural move for her. 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." 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. They miss her, they want to see her back, and they are missing what she brings to the mix when shes on the air. PHILADELPHIA, PA - May 6, 2021 - 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. McGurren brought the $10 million claim in October in response to an email in which the company told staff it had "thoroughly . 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. Believer of love, kindness, truth and honesty. Eric Ferguson attends a Rosemont concert in 2015. 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 . DeNicolo has also filed a separate $10 million defamation lawsuit against Hubbard Radio Chicago. 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. 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 know this is exactly where I'm supposed to be, and I couldn't be happier to make this new move in my career.". 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. Melissa McGurren Drops Attempt To Revive Her Defamation Case Against Hubbard. Nazareth won its fourth state trophy since 2019, and more importantly the programs first state title. On Aug. 16, the appeals court issued a mandate dismissing the case. 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." Jan 27, 2022 Help create big change for the pets and people in our community. The decision mirrors another federal judges earlier decision dismissing McGurrens defamation claim against Hubbard. Last December Hubbard filed to have DeNicolos suit dismissed and to strike some of the allegations in her second amended complaint. Hubbard Radios statement that the company thoroughly investigated McGurrens allegations is false, according to McGurrens suit, as reported by the Tribune. 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. "We're incredibly excited to be growing our US99 family and making mornings . The judges ruling is with prejudice, meaning DeNicolo cannot file an amended complaint. 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. 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 alleged management did nothing about her concerns, then forced her out in December. Last week U.S. District Court. 13 talking about this. Robert Feder, a lifelong Chicagoan, covered the media beat in his hometown from 1980 until his retirement in 2022. She grew up in Portage, Indiana, which is not too far. 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. 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." Subscribe to Patch's new newsletter to be the first to know about open houses, new listings and more. 10 Things You Didnt Know about Melissa McGurren, Five Songs That Lead to the Creation of a Movie or TV Show, 10 Things You Didnt Know about Brandon Flynn. 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. By November 2019, I could not stand to be in that hostile work environment another day. Theres still some major concerns. What a fun thing to be able to grow up and make that happen for yourself. 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 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. "We're incredibly excited to be growing . Her new role will make them direct competitors. 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. Facebook gives people the. 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. Klicken Sie auf Alle ablehnen, wenn Sie nicht mchten, dass wir und unsere Partner Cookies und personenbezogene Daten fr diese zustzlichen Zwecke verwenden. Mom 1st. 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. 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." 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. 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. 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 hearing on Hubbards motion to dismiss was held Tuesday, Aug. 30 and the court is expected to issue an opinion on the motion soon. We wish her the best.. Radio host Eric Ferguson works in the WTMX-FM studio with Melissa McGurren, center, and former co-host Kathy Hart in 2009. . Melissa McGurren co-hosted Eric Ferguson's morning show at WTMX-FM 101.9 before leaving the Chicago radio station in December 2020. Executives from the radio station said at the time they were surprised McGurren declined a contract extension. 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 . Englands internal email is an informational communication to Plaintiffs former coworkers and defendants current employees, Guzman wrote. Shes been with WTMX 101.9 The Mix, for a long time, and suddenly shes gone. Melissa McGurren will co-host a new morning show on country station WUSN-FM 99.5 starting Monday. His ruling included three reasons why he was accepting the motion to dismiss by Hubbard. 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. 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. 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. "This far-reaching argument finds no support in the law," Guzman wrote in his decision. She subsequently filed two lawsuits, one against Ferguson and the other against Hubbard. 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. 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. Huff, a native of Nashville, Tennessee, and self-described country music fan, is a graduate of the Missouri School of Journalism at the University of Missouri. It's hard to choose, they all sound so great. Feder flashback: So you think you know Chicago television. Eric in the Morning is expected to continue with current contributors Violeta Podrumedic and Brian Whip Paruch and producer John Swany Swanson. McGurren left the station in 2020 and alleged in the lawsuit that the station was intending to injure her and jeopardize her new career. His name is actually Brian Paruch, but hes been called Whip for more than a decade. McGurren currently works as a host at the country station, US99. Fans have been worried. McGurren, who left the show in late 2020 after 22 years, has said in court filings that Ferguson created an unbearably hostile work environment. Thanks, you guys. OK, love you all. Hubbard Radios statement that the company thoroughly investigated McGurrens allegations is false, according to McGurrens suit. At least four women have accused Ferguson of misconduct, which led the host of "Eric In the Morning" to leave the station last October. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission that alleged Ferguson had harassed her. 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. Melissa McGurren wont be a name you recognize unless you live in Chicago, but shes very famous in her own town. McGurren accused Hubbard of intending to injure her and jeopardize her new career. After taking Ferguson off the air last October following a series of allegations of sexual misconduct and abuse of power by former female co-workers, Hubbard parted ways with the morning host last November. While not claiming that Ferguson abused her specifically, Ashrafi said the disgraced morning host was rude and dismissive to women., His abusive behavior is open and known by all at The Mix, she said. (Daniel Boczarski/Getty). Tuesdays comment of the day: Rita Buda: I can't wait to listen to Rick O'Dell's top 12 smooth jazz Christmas tunes. Officials of the Hubbard Radio hot adult-contemporary station ended speculation today about McGurren's lengthy absenceand announced a parting of the ways. 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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. 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.". Eric in the Morning assistant producer Cynthia DeNicolowho also occasionally worked as a babysitter for Ferguson and his then-wifealso has sued the station, claiming Ferguson used his star power to coerce her into sex acts when she first began working for the station, and, for years after she began refusing his come-ons, taunted her in front of co-workers. Her new role will make them direct competitors. 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. Get the full report, and more Chicago media news, at robertfeder.com. In January 2020, I resigned after I lined up another job.. Tell us what's wrong with this post? Thanks for reading! 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. Honestly, let her not forget that. 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. Collectively, this roster will super serve Chicagos country music audience as the standalone country station in the market, Williamson said. She too was represented by Mandell. 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. Coldwell Banker Eric Ferguson, the longtime morning show host on WTMX-FM/101.9, sold his Hinsdale mansion for less than he paid for it. "I wish I could fully express my gratitude and happiness about joining the US99 team," McGurren said in a statement. 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. We dont know Jim, though, because she keeps his face out of all of her Instagram photos. You have permission to edit this article. Hes part of Melissas morning show. Whatever Happened to Brian Buckner from Barnwood Builders? Its actually good for the game, Sox manager Pedro Grifol said. Sign the petition: action.bestfriends.org End Breed-Restrictive Insurance Practices in Illinois McGurren then took her case to the U.S. Court of Appeals. The Audacy station is pairing up Melissa McGurren and Austin Huff to host morning drive on WUSN-FM. WTMX disc jockey Eric Ferguson speaks to Kaneland Middle School students in 2005. 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 new morning show, Robert Feder writes. Im honored to wake up with this city every morning, and I cannot wait to have a ton of fun in the process.. 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. I know this is exactly where Im supposed to be, and I couldnt be happier to make this new move in my career.. I love smooth jazz Christmas music. He was sidelined from his popular morning radio show last year. We thought wed look into her life and see whats up with her and the fact that shes been gone for months. The duo will be heard on "Melissa and Austin," weekdays from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. CT, effective May 10. The Mix and its corporate owners have been engaged in a coverup that is now exposed as a lie, Caruso told the Tribune. 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. 1 talking about this.

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