Tuesdays comment of the day: Rita Buda: I can't wait to listen to Rick O'Dell's top 12 smooth jazz Christmas tunes. 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. I love smooth jazz Christmas music. 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. Audacy Announces Debut of New Morning Show on US99 in Chicago Melissa McGurren won't be a name you recognize unless you live in Chicago, but she's very famous in her own town. You can find a comprehensive archive of his material here. 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. Melissa McGurren co-hosted Eric Ferguson's morning show at WTMX-FM 101.9 before leaving the Chicago radio station in December 2020. Collectively, this roster will super serve Chicagos country music audience as the standalone country station in the market, Williamson said. 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. McGurren, who left the show in late 2020 after 22 years, has said in court filings that Ferguson created an unbearably hostile work environment. Terms of her multiyear deal, negotiated by attorney Steve Mandell, were not disclosed. 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. Shes been gone from the program long enough that her fans have been a little worried. 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 . oh and REINVENTION. Guzman again, disagreed, saying that the statement was an opinion based on its position rather than a statement of facts. One Month In, WUSN Chicago's New Morning Team Is Making Itself At Home. 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. 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. Both she and McGurren are represented by attorney Carmen Caruso. Suffice it to say that we do not agree with Melissas characterization of events.. She became a stay-at-home mom and writer with her own blog. 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.". 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. Melissa McGurren to co-host a new morning show on Chicago country Hubbard Radios statement that the company thoroughly investigated McGurrens allegations is false, according to McGurrens suit. Equal Employment and Opportunity Commission was an opinion and therefore did not constitute defamation. She is a mother. 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 . Marci Braun continues as program director of US99 and regional brand manager of the country format for Audacy. Hes part of Melissas morning show. 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. Veteran Chicago radio personality Melissa McGurrens effort to revive her $10 million defamation suit against Hubbard Radio has ended. 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. Thank you for all those great messages. McGurren first made her accusations in a complaint to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, shortly after leaving the station in December 2020. Mom 1st. Now, in her defamation suit, McGurren accuses Hubbard of intending to injure her and jeopardize her new career. It just brings alertness and focus to the game., White Sox notebook: Benintendi, Anderson, Alberto, Saturdays win. 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 . Heres a fun fact: Shes been writing and creating her own radio shows since she was a little girl of only 8. -. Honestly, let her not forget that. What a fun thing to be able to grow up and make that happen for yourself. Its actually good for the game, Sox manager Pedro Grifol said. Radio Ink. oh and REINVENTION. Sign the petition: action.bestfriends.org End Breed-Restrictive Insurance Practices in Illinois Former Chicago Radio Co-Host's $10M Defamation Suit Dismissed Whatever Happened to Brian Buckner from Barnwood Builders? (Daniel Boczarski/Getty). Shes a huge Frank Sinatra fan, too. Shes a radio host, and she has a huge fan base. 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. 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. No reason was cited for the breakup, but reports persisted of friction between Ferguson and McGurren. Suffice it to say that we do not agree with Melissa's characterization of events.". WTMX afternoon host Chris Petlak succeeded Ferguson as host of the morning show on The Mix in January. Being part of a morning show means shes sharing so much of her life with the people who listen. US99 Chicago Launches New Morning Show - Radio Ink Overall the station ranked 13th with a 2.6 share and weekly cume of 710,900. 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. :). 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.. On Aug. 16, the appeals court issued a mandate dismissing the case. The duo will be heard on "Melissa and Austin," weekdays from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. CT, effective May 10. US99 Chicago Launches New Morning Show. Get the full report, and more Chicago media news, at robertfeder.com. 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. We dont know Jim, though, because she keeps his face out of all of her Instagram photos. Starting. "Melissa and Austin" debuted on WUSN Monday, May 10, running from 6am-9am. 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. Eric Ferguson attends a Rosemont concert in 2015. 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. 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. While so many people tend to move to Chicago from far away, she is not one of those people. 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. Fans have been worried. 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 . 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. A status hearing in DeNicolos lawsuit against Ferguson is scheduled for Thursday in Cook County Circuit Court. Amidst the continuing allegations, station management pulled Ferguson off the air, saying he will be sidelined through October. The judges ruling is with prejudice, meaning DeNicolo cannot file an amended complaint. DeNicolos position is that the statements not only accuse her of on-the-job malfeasance but also prejudice her in her trade and profession. Paddock Publications, Inc. is an Employee-Owned Company. Representatives for Hubbard and Ferguson did not respond to requests for comment. WTMX disc jockey Eric Ferguson speaks to Kaneland Middle School students in 2005. Melissa McGurren & Austin Huff To Host Mornings At US99 I wish I could fully express my gratitude and happiness about joining the US99 team, McGurren said in a statement. Such complaints are confidential, but her allegations later became public in a court filing that was part of DeNicolos defamation lawsuit. 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. 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. 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. 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. Shes been with WTMX 101.9 The Mix, for a long time, and suddenly shes gone. 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. I really truly am. Tell us what's wrong with this post? "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. 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. The judge on Friday ruled that the station's statement regarding a complaint made by McGurren to the U.S. She is a huge fan of different genres of music that would never be played on her own station. 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. Thank you so much. 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. Her new role will make them direct competitors. 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. Her coworker, Whip, calls her the secret weapon on their show. However, McGurren's suit states "Hubbard Radio's statement" that the company "thoroughly investigated" her allegations "is false." McGurren currently co-hosts mornings at Audacy crosstown country US99 WUSN. Melissa McGurren, Eric Ferguson's morning show co-host, on leaving WTMX McGurren also accused Ferguson of grossly abusing his power and that his behavior created a hostile work environment. Feder: US99 hires Melissa McGurren to host mornings - Daily Herald Violeta Podrumedic, Brian Whip Paruch, Melissa McGurren and Eric Ferguson. 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. I know this is exactly where Im supposed to be, and I couldnt be happier to make this new move in my career.. 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. McGurren accused Hubbard of intending to injure her and jeopardize her new career. Hubbard Radio Wants Court To Dismiss Defamation Suits From Eric 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. The announcement, made Thursday, comes months after McGurren mysteriously left her morning. 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. 0. The breakup came less than a year after the ubiquitous duo known as "Eric & Kathy" were inducted in the Radio Hall of Fame. 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. Michael Jackson, for instance, is a huge favorite for her. Melissa McGurren Profiles | Facebook 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. Hubbard also asked Judge Franklin Valderrram to consider Judge Guzmans rationale and toss DeNicolos complaint for the same reasons. 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. 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." Melissa McGurren - Facebook 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." His name is actually Brian Paruch, but hes been called Whip for more than a decade. Not so, Valderrama wrote in his 20-page opinion and order. She's been with WTMX 101.9 The. You have permission to edit this article. Sie knnen Ihre Einstellungen jederzeit ndern, indem Sie auf unseren Websites und Apps auf den Link Datenschutz-Dashboard klicken. McGurren left the station in 2020 and alleged in the lawsuit that the station was intending to injure her and jeopardize her new career. 13 talking about this. 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."