A separate lawsuit she filed against Ferguson remains active. 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. McGurren accused Hubbard of intending to injure her and jeopardize her new career. "We're incredibly excited to be growing our US99 family and making mornings . She claimed Hubbard falsely branded her as a liar in a staff memo after she reported Ferguson for [] Much like McGurren made allegations attached as a filing in another former WTMX employees suit, Ashrafi is using a similar legal maneuver. Robert Feder, a lifelong Chicagoan, covered the media beat in his hometown from 1980 until his retirement in 2022. A defamation claim by former Ferguson co-host Melissa McGurren was dismissed earlier this year. Melissa McGurren Drops Attempt To Revive Her Defamation Case Against Hubbard. Melissa McGurren Drops Attempt To Revive Her Defamation Case Against Marci Braun continues as program director of US99 and regional brand manager of the country format for Audacy. She did promise her followers back in October that she would reveal him sooner or later, but shes yet to do so. 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 been with WTMX 101.9 The Mix, for a long time, and suddenly shes gone. 10 Things You Didnt Know about The Sticklers, Luann de Lesseps Accuses Russell Simmons of Groping Her, 10 Things You Didnt Know about Mariana Jasel, 10 Things You Didnt Know About Leo Sheng, 10 Things You Didnt Know about Lele Pons, Being a Movie Superhero Doesnt Always Mean Your Kids Will Like It, 10 Things You Didnt Know about Rila Fukushima, 10 Things You Didnt Know about Asya Branch, 10 Things You Didnt Know about Tricia Ana, Guy Builds Insane Star Trek Man Cave Theater, This Clever Never-Ending LEGO Climber Automaton. But two weeks later, McGurrens lawyer filed a motion for voluntary dismissal of the appeal. NAB Asks FCC to Complete 2018 Quadrennial Review, Laden Joins WABC/New York as News Director and Host, Audacy Launches ''Front Range Country 103.1'' in Denver, WPZS (Praise 100.9)/Charlotte Ups Melanie Pratt to APD, iHeartMedia's Podcast Platform Spreaker is Now Free, KINK-FM/Portland Adds ''The Greg Beharrell Show''. Subscribe to Patch's new newsletter to be the first to know about open houses, new listings and more. Violeta Podrumedic, Brian Whip Paruch, Melissa McGurren and Eric Ferguson. Melissa McGurren, Eric Ferguson's morning show co-host, on leaving WTMX Former WTMX Morning Co-Host Melissa McGurren Files $10 Million Melissa McGurren Profiles | Facebook OK, love you all. Guzman also provided McGurren with a window of time to amend her complaint and gave Hubbard 14 days to respond to her amended filing. 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. 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. Thank you for all those great messages. Shes a radio host, and she has a huge fan base. 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? 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. On Aug. 16, the appeals court issued a mandate dismissing the case. Melissa McGurren co-hosted Eric Ferguson's morning show at WTMX-FM 101.9 before leaving the Chicago radio station in December 2020. A defamation claim by former Ferguson co-host Melissa McGurren was dismissed earlier this year. 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. 10 Things You Didn't Know about Melissa McGurren - TVOvermind A former assistant producer for Ferguson, Cynthia DeNicolo, had alleged the company defamed her last year by stating it found no evidence to corroborate her allegations that Ferguson engaged in illegal workplace conduct at WTMX-FM 101.9. 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. Melissa McGurren Departs WTMX's Eric In The Morning "I wish I could fully express my gratitude and happiness about joining the US99 team," McGurren said in a statement. The decision mirrors another federal judges earlier decision dismissing McGurrens defamation claim against Hubbard. 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. 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. Her new role will make them direct competitors. After McGurren left WTMX, in December 2020, she filed a charge of discrimination with the U.S. Shes been gone from the program long enough that her fans have been a little worried. Shes always wanted to be in the business, and she always wanted to do things like this that she loves so much. Thanks, you guys. "We're incredibly excited to be growing . Lefty reliever Brandon Hughes also has been on a later game schedule after a heavy workload last season. Read the entire Chicago Tribune article here. 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. 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. 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. But we also owe it to ourselves and our listeners to have a deliberate and thoughtful process about our path forward, and candidly we are not there yet.. Former WTMX Morning Co-Host Melissa McGurren Files $10 Million Defamation Lawsuit Against Hubbard. 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." By. McGurren spent most of . 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. 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.". Heres a fun fact: Shes been writing and creating her own radio shows since she was a little girl of only 8. 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. Not so, Valderrama wrote in his 20-page opinion and order. 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. In a declaration attached to McGurrens defamation suit, Ashrafi said the station was a hostile, humiliating atmosphere for female employees. 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. 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. 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. 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." 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. Second woman alleges inappropriate behavior by Eric Ferguson of The Mix Moving to Chicago was a natural move for her. McGurren brought the $10 million claim in October in response to an email in which the company told staff it had "thoroughly . The Audacy station is pairing up Melissa McGurren and Austin Huff to host morning drive on WUSN-FM. The breakup came less than a year after the ubiquitous duo known as "Eric & Kathy" were inducted in the Radio Hall of Fame. Sign the petition: action.bestfriends.org End Breed-Restrictive Insurance Practices in Illinois McGurren first made her accusations in a complaint to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, shortly after leaving the station in December 2020. 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. You can find a comprehensive archive of his material here. Dismissal of Melissa McGurren's defamation suit doesn't end legal our stories straight," and advised her to "stay silent and to deny any allegations by other women that Ferguson had engaged in inappropriate behavior," according to the lawsuit. 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. "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. Last week U.S. District Court. 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 called Ferguson a serial abuser of women, station management pulled Ferguson off the air, a separate $10 million defamation lawsuit against Hubbard Radio. Whatever Happened to Brian Buckner from Barnwood Builders? 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. She's back: US99 hires Melissa McGurren to host mornings 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. Until recently he also hosted a podcast on the site. DeNicolo has also filed a separate $10 million defamation lawsuit against Hubbard Radio 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. 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. The Mix and its corporate owners have been engaged in a coverup that is now exposed as a lie, Caruso told the Tribune. Now, in her defamation suit, McGurren accuses Hubbard of intending to injure her and jeopardize her new career. We thought wed look into her life and see whats up with her and the fact that shes been gone for months. Melissa McGurren - Facebook While so many people tend to move to Chicago from far away, she is not one of those people. Klicken Sie auf Alle ablehnen, wenn Sie nicht mchten, dass wir und unsere Partner Cookies und personenbezogene Daten fr diese zustzlichen Zwecke verwenden. 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. A statement released by the company alludes to a contract extension offer it says McGurren turned down, but it provided no other details. 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. Feder: The Mix bids farewell to morning co-star Melissa McGurren 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. 0. Thanks for reading! 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. Tell us what's wrong with this post? 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. It all comes just as Ferguson is back from his latest surgery for spinal stenosis, a procedure involving spinal decompression and disc fusion. She currently co-hosts mornings at Audacy crosstown country US99 WUSN. Melissa McGurren to co-host a new morning show on Chicago country Facebook gives people the. Equal Employment and Opportunity Commission was an opinion and therefore did not constitute defamation. She is expected to be paid through the end of the year, when her contract expires. Shes a lot more local than most people assume. 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." I wish I could fully express my gratitude and happiness about joining the US99 team, McGurren said in a statement. A status hearing in DeNicolos lawsuit against Ferguson is scheduled for Thursday in Cook County Circuit Court. 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. Melissa McGurren & Austin Huff To Host Mornings At US99 Robert Feder, a lifelong Chicagoan, covered the media beat in his hometown from 1980 until his retirement in 2022. Melissa McGurren - Facebook 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. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Radio news and headlines delivered right to your e-mail box -- and it's free. She is such a proud mom. 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. 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 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. I really truly am. Hes part of Melissas morning show. The announcement, made Thursday, comes months after McGurren mysteriously left her morning. 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. 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It just brings alertness and focus to the game., White Sox notebook: Benintendi, Anderson, Alberto, Saturdays win. Former Eric Ferguson co-host Melissa McGurren files suit - Yahoo! Attorney Carmen Caruso, who represents both women, declined Tuesday to comment on Valderramas ruling. 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 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. Veteran Chicago radio personality Melissa McGurren's effort to revive her $10 million defamation suit against Hubbard Radio has ended. Tuesdays comment of the day: Rita Buda: I can't wait to listen to Rick O'Dell's top 12 smooth jazz Christmas tunes. We wish her the best.. Believer of love, kindness, truth and honesty. 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. Veteran Chicago radio personality Melissa McGurrens effort to revive her $10 million defamation suit against Hubbard Radio has ended. Eric Ferguson attends a Rosemont concert in 2015. She's been with WTMX 101.9 The. 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. Paddock Publications, Inc. is an Employee-Owned Company. Hubbard Radios statement that the company thoroughly investigated McGurrens allegations is false, according to McGurrens suit. McGurren was one of three female former station employees to raise allegations about Ferguson in court filings after DeNicolo filed her lawsuits. We look forward to getting them under oath for questioning.. 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 . "I love Chicago and country music and I've never been more confident in an opportunity or my team. She subsequently filed two lawsuits, one against Ferguson and the other against Hubbard. McGurren, who left the show in late 2020 after 22 years, has said in court filings that. 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). Weitere Informationen ber die Verwendung Ihrer personenbezogenen Daten finden Sie in unserer Datenschutzerklrung und unserer Cookie-Richtlinie. Feder: Dismissal of defamation suit doesn't end legal claims against 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.". Tiffany and her husband are the proud parents of four children in her free time. She became a stay-at-home mom and writer with her own blog. Im honored to wake up with this city every morning, and I cannot wait to have a ton of fun in the process.. Theres still some major concerns. A onetime producer of "The Jim Rome Show" for CBS Sports Radio, he owns and operatesKorkedBats.com,a comedy sports blog. 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. 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. Suffice it to say that we do not agree with Melissas characterization of events.. Former WTMX staffer sues 'Eric in the Morning' host - NewsBreak 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 . 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. Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox each afternoon. US99 Chicago Launches New Morning Show - Radio Ink (Daniel Boczarski/Getty). Fans have been worried. 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. She released a video to her own Facebook account that says shes sorry for her absence and that shes all right. You have permission to edit this article. 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. Report: Chicago Radio Host Melissa McGurren Sues WTMX McGurren filed her own federal lawsuit against Hubbard shortly afterward. McGurren then took her case to the U.S. Court of Appeals. Thank you so much. DeNicolos position is that the statements not only accuse her of on-the-job malfeasance but also prejudice her in her trade and profession. Get the full report, and more Chicago media news, at robertfeder.com. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission that alleged Ferguson had harassed her.