His name is actually Brian Paruch, but hes been called Whip for more than a decade. It's hard to choose, they all sound so great. 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. 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. The announcement, made Thursday, comes months after McGurren mysteriously left her morning. 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. All four women alleged management protected him because of his shows high ratings. Join Facebook to connect with Melissa McGurren and others you may know. Get the full report, and more Chicago media news, at robertfeder.com. It finished first among women between 35 and 64. The Mix and its corporate owners have been engaged in a coverup that is now exposed as a lie, Caruso told the Tribune. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Radio news and headlines delivered right to your e-mail box -- and it's free. 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. 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. 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. Honestly, let her not forget that. She too was represented by Mandell. 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 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. 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, who co-hosted "Eric in the Morning" during a 22-year stretch at the station, sued FERGUSON alleging a pattern of sexual misconduct. Hubbard also asked Judge Franklin Valderrram to consider Judge Guzmans rationale and toss DeNicolos complaint for the same reasons. "I love Chicago and country music and I've never been more confident in an opportunity or my team. I know this is exactly where Im supposed to be, and I couldnt be happier to make this new move in my career.. 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. Its actually good for the game, Sox manager Pedro Grifol said. 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. Hubbard Radios statement that the company thoroughly investigated McGurrens allegations is false, according to McGurrens suit. Eric Ferguson attends a Rosemont concert in 2015. 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. Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox each afternoon. Her new role will make them direct competitors. 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. No reason was cited for the breakup, but reports persisted of friction between Ferguson and McGurren. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission that alleged Ferguson had harassed her. 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. The court agrees with Hubbard that the statements have nothing to do with DeNicolos conduct on the job.. 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. 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 . Nazareth won its fourth state trophy since 2019, and more importantly the programs first state title. How could we improve it? 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 and her agent, attorney Steve Mandell, declined requests for comment. The judge also found that Hubbard did not cross the line because its statement expressed an opinion regarding McGurrens claim to the EEOC. Lefty reliever Brandon Hughes also has been on a later game schedule after a heavy workload last season. 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. But, her cohosts have not said a word, and thats what has fans worried. In court filings, McGurren said Ferguson demeaned, harassed and ridiculed her when they worked together. 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. 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. She became a stay-at-home mom and writer with her own blog. What really has fans upset is that no one has addressed her disappearance from the show. She is expected to be paid through the end of the year, when her contract expires. 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. He was sidelined from his popular morning radio show last year. Tuesdays comment of the day: Rita Buda: I can't wait to listen to Rick O'Dell's top 12 smooth jazz Christmas tunes. She collaborated with the NFL, CDC, and Heads Up Football Program in 2012 and 2013. 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.. 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. 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. 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. Executives from the radio station said at the time they were surprised McGurren declined a contract extension. The decision mirrors another federal judges earlier decision dismissing McGurrens defamation claim against Hubbard. MCGURREN also brought an EEOC Charge of. Shes been gone from the program long enough that her fans have been a little worried. 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.". Not so, Valderrama wrote in his 20-page opinion and order. They miss her, they want to see her back, and they are missing what she brings to the mix when shes on the air. 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 Ferguson's top-rated morning show, is out after more than two decades at WTMX. Guzman also provided McGurren with a window of time to amend her complaint and gave Hubbard 14 days to respond to her amended filing. Ferguson's former co-host, Melissa McGurren, filed the $10 million lawsuit last fall. When she informed me of her decision, she described her time at the station as a privilege and that feeling is completely mutual. Her new role will make them direct competitors. 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. What a fun thing to be able to grow up and make that happen for yourself. 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. 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. 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. Amidst the continuing allegations, station management pulled Ferguson off the air, saying he will be sidelined through October. It all comes just as Ferguson is back from his latest surgery for spinal stenosis, a procedure involving spinal decompression and disc fusion. Eric Ferguson attends a Rosemont concert in 2015. In a declaration attached to McGurrens defamation suit, Ashrafi said the station was a hostile, humiliating atmosphere for female employees. The judges ruling is with prejudice, meaning DeNicolo cannot file an amended complaint. 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. However, McGurren's suit states "Hubbard Radio's statement" that the company "thoroughly investigated" her allegations "is false." Former WTMX Morning Co-Host Melissa McGurren Files $10 Million Defamation Lawsuit Against Hubbard. Michael Jackson, for instance, is a huge favorite for her. Believer of love, kindness, truth and honesty. 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. :). Theres still some major concerns. Melissa McGurren Drops Attempt To Revive Her Defamation Case Against Hubbard. May 6, 2021. 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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. 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. "We're incredibly excited to be growing our US99 family and making mornings . Sie knnen Ihre Einstellungen jederzeit ndern, indem Sie auf unseren Websites und Apps auf den Link Datenschutz-Dashboard klicken. Guzman again, disagreed, saying that the statement was an opinion based on its position rather than a statement of facts. Feder flashback: So you think you know Chicago television. McGurren spent most of . You have permission to edit this article. McGurren now hosts mornings on Audacy country station WUSN-FM 99.5. Robert Feder, a lifelong Chicagoan, covered the media beat in his hometown from 1980 until his retirement in 2022. After McGurren left WTMX, in December 2020, she filed a charge of discrimination with the U.S. Hes part of Melissas morning show. 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. Jan 27, 2022 Help create big change for the pets and people in our community. Robert Feder, a lifelong Chicagoan, covered the media beat in his hometown from 1980 until his retirement in 2022. 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. McGurren brought the $10 million claim in October in response to an email in which the company told staff it had "thoroughly . "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. McGurren was one of three female former station employees to raise allegations about Ferguson in court filings after DeNicolo filed her lawsuits. Read the entire Chicago Tribune article here. She's seeking $10 million in damages. 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. He was sidelined from his popular morning radio show last year. 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." In a Facebook video posted earlier, McGurren told fans: "Im really sorry that I havent been there. The judge on Friday ruled that the station's statement regarding a complaint made by McGurren to the U.S. We thought wed look into her life and see whats up with her and the fact that shes been gone for months. She did promise her followers back in October that she would reveal him sooner or later, but shes yet to do so. Tell us what's wrong with this post? 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. She reiterated that position in a demand for arbitration filed June 24, 2021. 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. The breakup came less than a year after the ubiquitous duo known as "Eric & Kathy" were inducted in the Radio Hall of Fame. 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. 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 . 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. A defamation claim by former Ferguson co-host Melissa McGurren was dismissed earlier this year. McGurren, who left the show in late 2020 after 22 years, has said in court filings that Ferguson created an unbearably hostile work environment. 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You can find a comprehensive archive of his material here. 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 . 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 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.
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