After studying business in college, Tiffany embarked upon a career she never dreamed of. "I wish I could fully express my gratitude and happiness about joining the US99 team," McGurren said in a statement. similar defamation lawsuit filed by Cynthia DeNicolo, Hubbard parted ways with the morning host. Melissa McGurren won't be a name you recognize unless you live in Chicago, but she's very famous in her own town. Jan 27, 2022 Help create big change for the pets and people in our community. McGurren brought the $10 million claim in October in response to an email in which the company told staff it had "thoroughly . She's been with WTMX 101.9 The. The judge also found that Hubbard did not cross the line because its statement expressed an opinion regarding McGurrens claim to the EEOC. Executives from the radio station said at the time they were surprised McGurren declined a contract extension. A defamation claim by former Ferguson co-host Melissa McGurren was dismissed earlier this year. Feder flashback: So you think you know Chicago television. 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. Drew Walker, an 18-year veteran of US99 who most recently has been hosting mornings, returns to middays from 9 a.m. to noon. Whatever Happened to Brian Buckner from Barnwood Builders? 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. "The Mix is sad to announce that after 22 years with the station, Melissa McGurren was offered a contract extension which much to our surprise she declined," the statement said. Now, in her defamation suit, McGurren accuses Hubbard of intending to injure her and jeopardize her new career. Tiffany and her husband are the proud parents of four children in her free time. His name is actually Brian Paruch, but hes been called Whip for more than a decade. They miss her, they want to see her back, and they are missing what she brings to the mix when shes on the air. 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. McGurren spent most of . 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. Being part of a morning show means shes sharing so much of her life with the people who listen. McGurren accused Hubbard of intending to injure her and jeopardize her new career. In his ruling, Gomez cited the legal statute opinions that do not misstate facts are protected by the First Amendment and are non-actionable. 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. 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. McGurren was one of three female former station employees to raise allegations about Ferguson in court filings after DeNicolo filed her lawsuits. A defamation claim by former Ferguson co-host Melissa McGurren was dismissed earlier this year. 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 . CHICAGO - 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. 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. WTMX promoted Chris Petlak from afternoons to mornings, effective Jan. 24. I wish I could fully express my gratitude and happiness about joining the US99 team, McGurren said in a statement. Shes a lot more local than most people assume. In January 2020, I resigned after I lined up another job.. Radio host Eric Ferguson works in the WTMX-FM studio with Melissa McGurren, center, and former co-host Kathy Hart in 2009. . -. On Aug. 16, the appeals court issued a mandate dismissing the case. All four women alleged management protected him because of his shows high ratings. 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. Paddock Publications, Inc. is an Employee-Owned Company. She has excellent taste. 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." 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." 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. How would you rate this article? McGurren now hosts mornings on Audacy country station WUSN-FM 99.5. Moving to Chicago was a natural move for her. The judge on Friday ruled that the station's statement regarding a complaint made by McGurren to the U.S. Suffice it to say that we do not agree with Melissas characterization of events.. McGurren filed her own federal lawsuit against Hubbard shortly afterward. 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. Hes part of Melissas morning show. 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. Eric in the Morning is expected to continue with current contributors Violeta Podrumedic and Brian Whip Paruch and producer John Swany Swanson. 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Thanks, you guys. McGurren, who left the show in late 2020 after 22 years, has said in court filings that. 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 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. Starting. Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox each afternoon. "This far-reaching argument finds no support in the law," Guzman wrote in his decision. Michael Jackson, for instance, is a huge favorite for her. Guzman denied a motion to reconsider the case in April and denied McGurrens motion to amend her complaint on June 30. McGurren currently co-hosts mornings at Audacy crosstown country US99 WUSN. 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. 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. You have permission to edit this article. Representatives for Hubbard and Ferguson did not respond to requests for comment. Subscribe to Patch's new newsletter to be the first to know about open houses, new listings and more. "We're incredibly excited to be growing . 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. The breakup came less than a year after the ubiquitous duo known as "Eric & Kathy" were inducted in the Radio Hall of Fame. 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. (Todd Rosenberg Photography) McGurren was offered a. "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. A status hearing in DeNicolos lawsuit against Ferguson is scheduled for Thursday in Cook County Circuit Court. She does not have COVID-19, nor does she have any other health conditions. 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.. Weitere Informationen ber die Verwendung Ihrer personenbezogenen Daten finden Sie in unserer Datenschutzerklrung und unserer Cookie-Richtlinie. "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. 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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. Mom 1st. 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. Valderrama said the analysis in McGurrens lawsuit was applicable and persuasive in DeNicolos case because the companys published statements in both situations were similar. 13 talking about this. Melissa McGurren co-hosted Eric Ferguson's morning show at WTMX-FM 101.9 before leaving the Chicago radio station in December 2020. 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.". McGurren first made her accusations in a complaint to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, shortly after leaving the station in December 2020. By November 2019, I could not stand to be in that hostile work environment another day. Until recently he also hosted a podcast on the site. 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. We look forward to getting them under oath for questioning.. McGurren and her agent, attorney Steve Mandell, declined requests for comment. Hubbard Radios statement that the company thoroughly investigated McGurrens allegations is false, according to McGurrens suit. What a fun thing to be able to grow up and make that happen for yourself. "Melissa and Austin" debuted on WUSN Monday, May 10, running from 6am-9am. Klicken Sie auf Alle ablehnen, wenn Sie nicht mchten, dass wir und unsere Partner Cookies und personenbezogene Daten fr diese zustzlichen Zwecke verwenden. Such complaints are confidential, but her allegations later became public in a court filing that was part of DeNicolos defamation lawsuit. What really has fans upset is that no one has addressed her disappearance from the show. A onetime producer of "The Jim Rome Show" for CBS Sports Radio, he owns and operatesKorkedBats.com,a comedy sports blog. Shes been gone from the program long enough that her fans have been a little worried. 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." Its actually good for the game, Sox manager Pedro Grifol said. Lefty reliever Brandon Hughes also has been on a later game schedule after a heavy workload last season. McGurren alleged management did nothing about her concerns, then forced her out in December. Feder flashback: So you think you know Chicago television. Ferguson's former co-host, Melissa McGurren, filed the $10 million lawsuit last fall. Marci Braun continues as program director of US99 and regional brand manager of the country format for Audacy. She also loves artists like the Foo Fighters. Believer of love, kindness, truth and honesty. She currently co-hosts mornings at Audacy crosstown country US99 WUSN. 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.. Join Facebook to connect with Melissa McGurren and others you may know. WTMX afternoon host Chris Petlak succeeded Ferguson as host of the morning show on The Mix in January. Mom 1st. His ruling included three reasons why he was accepting the motion to dismiss by Hubbard. 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. Former WTMX Morning Co-Host Melissa McGurren Files $10 Million Defamation Lawsuit Against Hubbard. Sign the petition: action.bestfriends.org End Breed-Restrictive Insurance Practices in Illinois 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. The duo will be heard on "Melissa and Austin," weekdays from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. CT, effective May 10. 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. Wenn Sie Ihre Auswahl anpassen mchten, klicken Sie auf Datenschutzeinstellungen verwalten. Ferguson stepped down as host of the popular show in October, amid outcry over McGurrens allegations and claims of sexual assault and workplace harassment made by other female employees of The Mix.. OK, love you all. Thank you so much. Im honored to wake up with this city every morning, and I cannot wait to have a ton of fun in the process.. MCGURREN also brought an EEOC Charge of. 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. The Audacy station is pairing up Melissa McGurren and Austin Huff to host morning drive on WUSN-FM. 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. Robert Feder, a lifelong Chicagoan, covered the media beat in his hometown from 1980 until his retirement in 2022. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Radio news and headlines delivered right to your e-mail box -- and it's free. 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. Thanks for reading! 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. Last December Hubbard filed to have DeNicolos suit dismissed and to strike some of the allegations in her second amended complaint. 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. Both she and McGurren are represented by attorney Carmen Caruso. A federal judge this week dismissed a defamation lawsuit filed by a former co-host of one of Chicagos top morning drive radio shows over alleged harassment by star Eric Ferguson. The six-bedroom, eight-bath mansion on Elm Street sold May 29. Chicago | Mornings @US99Chicago 6-9am SHOP Melissa's Amazon Favorites link below . She became a stay-at-home mom and writer with her own blog. You have permission to edit this article. 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. 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. 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.. Facebook gives people the. The announcement, made Thursday, comes months after McGurren mysteriously left her morning. Nazareth won its fourth state trophy since 2019, and more importantly the programs first state title. Terms of her multiyear deal, negotiated by attorney Steve Mandell, were not disclosed. I really truly am. McGurren left the station in 2020 and alleged in the lawsuit that the station was intending to injure her and jeopardize her new career. Typically, cohosts will announce if youve been on maternity leave, if you are taking personal time, traveling, whatever. Get the full report, and more Chicago media news, at robertfeder.com. 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.