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. Veteran Chicago radio personality Melissa McGurrens effort to revive her $10 million defamation suit against Hubbard Radio has ended. 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. Mom 1st. Last December Hubbard filed to have DeNicolos suit dismissed and to strike some of the allegations in her second amended complaint. Officials of the Hubbard Radio hot adult-contemporary station ended speculation today about McGurren's lengthy absenceand announced a parting of the ways. 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. McGurren now hosts mornings on Audacy country station WUSN-FM 99.5. Shes always wanted to be in the business, and she always wanted to do things like this that she loves so much. "I wish I could fully express my gratitude and happiness about joining the US99 team," McGurren said in a statement. At least four women have accused Ferguson of misconduct, which led the host of "Eric In the Morning" to leave the station last October. McGurren currently works as a host at the country station, US99. 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. Its actually good for the game, Sox manager Pedro Grifol said. The breakup came less than a year after the ubiquitous duo known as "Eric & Kathy" were inducted in the Radio Hall of Fame. 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. Report: Chicago Radio Host Melissa McGurren Sues WTMX oh and REINVENTION. A status hearing in DeNicolos lawsuit against Ferguson is scheduled for Thursday in Cook County Circuit Court. Its an adjustment to have to talk about your life to so many people, but she loves that it allows her to connect to those around her. Feder flashback: So you think you know Chicago television. Audacy Announces Debut of New Morning Show on US99 in Chicago Honestly, let her not forget that. She alleged her former employer had falsely branded her a liar when the company said in an email to staff that it had thoroughly investigated her EEOC complaint and did not agree with Melissas characterization of events.. She collaborated with the NFL, CDC, and Heads Up Football Program in 2012 and 2013. 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.". Feder: The Mix bids farewell to morning co-star Melissa McGurren Both she and McGurren are represented by attorney Carmen Caruso. Thanks for reading! The duo will be heard on "Melissa and Austin," weekdays from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. CT, effective May 10. After studying business in college, Tiffany embarked upon a career she never dreamed of. 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. 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. "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. Marci Braun continues as program director of US99 and regional brand manager of the country format for Audacy. McGurren, who left the show in late 2020 after 22 years, has said in court filings that. 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.. oh and REINVENTION. Former Chicago Radio Co-Host's $10M Defamation Suit Dismissed Melissa McGurren - Facebook 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. We dont know Jim, though, because she keeps his face out of all of her Instagram photos. 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. -. Suffice it to say that we do not agree with Melissa's characterization of events.". Melissa McGurren - Facebook 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. 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. Terms of her multiyear deal, negotiated by attorney Steve Mandell, were not disclosed. Heres a fun fact: Shes been writing and creating her own radio shows since she was a little girl of only 8. Dismissal of Melissa McGurren's defamation suit doesn't end legal She is expected to be paid through the end of the year, when her contract expires. It all comes just as Ferguson is back from his latest surgery for spinal stenosis, a procedure involving spinal decompression and disc fusion. McGurren brought the $10 million claim in October in response to an email in which the company told staff it had "thoroughly . 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. Tuesdays comment of the day: Rita Buda: I can't wait to listen to Rick O'Dell's top 12 smooth jazz Christmas tunes. similar defamation lawsuit filed by Cynthia DeNicolo, Hubbard parted ways with the morning host. McGurren left the station in 2020 and alleged in the lawsuit that the station was intending to injure her and jeopardize her new career. The decision mirrors another federal judges earlier decision dismissing McGurrens defamation claim against Hubbard. Drew Walker, an 18-year veteran of US99 who most recently has been hosting mornings, returns to middays from 9 a.m. to noon. Judge dismisses defamation case against WTMX owner - Chicago Sun-Times 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''. Her new role will make them direct competitors. The Audacy station is pairing up Melissa McGurren and Austin Huff to host morning drive on WUSN-FM. England's October 5 email prompted McGurren to sue for defamation, alleging that his statement falsely branded her a liar by attacking her credibility and integrity. Melissa McGurren wont be a name you recognize unless you live in Chicago, but shes very famous in her own town. Collectively, this roster will super serve Chicagos country music audience as the standalone country station in the market, Williamson said. 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. DeNicolo has also filed a separate $10 million defamation lawsuit against Hubbard Radio Chicago. What a fun thing to be able to grow up and make that happen for yourself. Former WTMX radio host Melissa McGurren's defamation lawsuit dismissed "I love Chicago and country music and I've never been more confident in an opportunity or my team. The judge also found that Hubbard did not cross the line because its statement expressed an opinion regarding McGurrens claim to the EEOC. A statement released by the company alludes to a contract extension offer it says McGurren turned down, but it provided no other details. MCGURREN also brought an EEOC Charge of. I know this is exactly where Im supposed to be, and I couldnt be happier to make this new move in my career.. 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. "This far-reaching argument finds no support in the law," Guzman wrote in his decision. Feder: Dismissal of defamation suit doesn't end legal claims against 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. "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. Feder: US99 hires Melissa McGurren to host mornings - Daily Herald 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. 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 first made her accusations in a complaint to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, shortly after leaving the station in December 2020. 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. 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). 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. 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. 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.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." 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.. Overall the station ranked 13th with a 2.6 share and weekly cume of 710,900. I wish I could fully express my gratitude and happiness about joining the US99 team, McGurren said in a statement. Former Eric Ferguson co-host Melissa McGurren breaks silence, alleges 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.

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