It's official: The Mix bids farewell to morning co-star Melissa McGurren Visitation, Funeral Set For Fallen Chicago Police Officer, Police Chief And US Attorney Plan Resignation + Police Funeral, New Details Emerge In Chicago Cop's Slaying, No Bail For 18-Year-Old, 2023 Employment Law Updates: New Compliance Obligations for 2023, Information Session: Human Resources Certificate Programs, Financial Planning Certificate Information Session, Working, Weaving, Filming: Naomi Uman and Laura Huertas Milln, Illinois 16 or 8-Hour Illinois Concealed Carry Classes $160, Celebrate National Oreo Cookie Day with $3 Oreo Cookies & Cream Shakes @ Burger 21 Orland Park, Outpouring Of Support At Vigil For Fallen Chicago Police Officer Andres Vasquez-Lasso, Chicago FOP President John Catanzara Facing Challenger In Bid For Re-Election, Food Pantries Prepare To See Rise In Demand After SNAP Benefits Cut, Mike'd Up: How A Chicagoan's Ditka-Inspired Bachelor Party Went Viral. 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 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. 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.. 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. 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. Guzman denied a motion to reconsider the case in April and denied McGurrens motion to amend her complaint on June 30. You have permission to edit this article. Subscribe to Patch's new newsletter to be the first to know about open houses, new listings and more. Suffice it to say that we do not agree with Melissas characterization of events.. We thought wed look into her life and see whats up with her and the fact that shes been gone for months. McGurren currently works as a host at the country station, US99. 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. On Aug. 16, the appeals court issued a mandate dismissing the case. Being part of a morning show means shes sharing so much of her life with the people who listen. When she informed me of her decision, she described her time at the station as a privilege and that feeling is completely mutual. Shes always wanted to be in the business, and she always wanted to do things like this that she loves so much. 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. In court filings, McGurren said Ferguson demeaned, harassed and ridiculed her when they worked together. 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. Believer of love, kindness, truth and honesty. Hubbard Radios statement that the company thoroughly investigated McGurrens allegations is false, according to McGurrens suit, as reported by the Tribune. It's hard to choose, they all sound so great. DeNicolos position is that the statements not only accuse her of on-the-job malfeasance but also prejudice her in her trade and profession. US99 Chicago Launches New Morning Show. 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. May 6, 2021. McGurren also accused Ferguson of grossly abusing his power and that his behavior created a hostile work environment. 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. All four women alleged management protected him because of his shows high ratings. 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. 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 separate lawsuit she filed against Ferguson remains active. 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 . 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 very proud of the young man her son is becoming, she loves that he is funny and helpful and that he is thoughtful. Overall the station ranked 13th with a 2.6 share and weekly cume of 710,900. She grew up in Portage, Indiana, which is not too far. 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). I wish I could fully express my gratitude and happiness about joining the US99 team, McGurren said in a statement. For the second time, a federal judge has dismissed a defamation lawsuit related to the way Hubbard Radio Chicago handled misconduct allegations against onetime star host Eric Ferguson. We look forward to getting them under oath for questioning.. Hubbard also asked Judge Franklin Valderrram to consider Judge Guzmans rationale and toss DeNicolos complaint for the same reasons. 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. Shes a huge Frank Sinatra fan, too. Shes a radio host, and she has a huge fan base. 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. 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. After McGurren left WTMX, in December 2020, she filed a charge of discrimination with the U.S. But two weeks later, McGurrens lawyer filed a motion for voluntary dismissal of the appeal. Collectively, this roster will super serve Chicagos country music audience as the standalone country station in the market, Williamson said. Theres still some major concerns. How would you rate this article? Former Eric Ferguson co-host Melissa McGurren breaks silence, alleges 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 . 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. Dismissal of Melissa McGurren's defamation suit doesn't end legal Hes part of Melissas morning show. Officials of the Hubbard Radio hot adult-contemporary station ended speculation today about McGurren's lengthy absenceand announced a parting of the ways. I love smooth jazz Christmas music. 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. 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. Her coworker, Whip, calls her the secret weapon on their show. She also loves artists like the Foo Fighters. Judge dismisses defamation case against WTMX owner - Chicago Sun-Times She has excellent taste. Weitere Informationen ber die Verwendung Ihrer personenbezogenen Daten finden Sie in unserer Datenschutzerklrung und unserer Cookie-Richtlinie. His name is actually Brian Paruch, but hes been called Whip for more than a decade. The judge on Friday ruled that the station's statement regarding a complaint made by McGurren to the U.S. Tuesdays comment of the day: Rita Buda: I can't wait to listen to Rick O'Dell's top 12 smooth jazz Christmas tunes. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission that alleged Ferguson had harassed her. McGurren accused Hubbard of intending to injure her and jeopardize her new career. A status hearing in DeNicolos lawsuit against Ferguson is scheduled for Thursday in Cook County Circuit Court. 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 Chicago Tribune reports. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. McGurren brought the $10 million claim in October in response to an email in which the company told staff it had "thoroughly . 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. oh and REINVENTION. Its actually good for the game, Sox manager Pedro Grifol said. Get the full report, and more Chicago media news, at robertfeder.com. Executives from the radio station said at the time they were surprised McGurren declined a contract extension. Melissa McGurren wont be a name you recognize unless you live in Chicago, but shes very famous in her own town. She did promise her followers back in October that she would reveal him sooner or later, but shes yet to do so. "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 to co-host a new morning show on Chicago country 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. 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. 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. Starting.