Now, in her defamation suit, McGurren accuses Hubbard of intending to injure her and jeopardize her new career. She did promise her followers back in October that she would reveal him sooner or later, but shes yet to do so. It's hard to choose, they all sound so great. The arbitrator in McGurrens EEOC case ruled in Hubbards favor earlier this year. She also loves artists like the Foo Fighters. Much like McGurren made allegations attached as a filing in another former WTMX employees suit, Ashrafi is using a similar legal maneuver. 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. 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. Guzman again, disagreed, saying that the statement was an opinion based on its position rather than a statement of facts. 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. 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. 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. Melissa McGurren to co-host a new morning show on Chicago country 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. In a Facebook video posted earlier, McGurren told fans: "Im really sorry that I havent been there. We dont know Jim, though, because she keeps his face out of all of her Instagram photos. 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. 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. Im honored to wake up with this city every morning, and I cannot wait to have a ton of fun in the process.. She subsequently filed two lawsuits, one against Ferguson and the other against Hubbard. The Audacy station is pairing up Melissa McGurren and Austin Huff to host morning drive on WUSN-FM. 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. You have permission to edit this article. 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. 0. Valderrama said the analysis in McGurrens lawsuit was applicable and persuasive in DeNicolos case because the companys published statements in both situations were similar. The Mix and its corporate owners have been engaged in a coverup that is now exposed as a lie, Caruso told the Tribune. 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. similar defamation lawsuit filed by Cynthia DeNicolo, Hubbard parted ways with the morning host. 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.. He was sidelined from his popular morning radio show last year. Former WTMX Morning Co-Host Melissa McGurren Files $10 Million You have permission to edit this article. 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 two weeks later, McGurrens lawyer filed a motion for voluntary dismissal of the appeal. Radio Ink. When she informed me of her decision, she described her time at the station as a privilege and that feeling is completely mutual. Radio host sells Hinsdale home for less than he paid - Crain's Chicago McGurren alleged management did nothing about her concerns, then forced her out in December. Audacy Announces Debut of New Morning Show on US99 in Chicago Sie knnen Ihre Einstellungen jederzeit ndern, indem Sie auf unseren Websites und Apps auf den Link Datenschutz-Dashboard klicken. Fans have been worried. Executives from the radio station said at the time they were surprised McGurren declined a contract extension. Until recently he also hosted a podcast on the site. How could we improve it? 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. "I love Chicago and country music and I've never been more confident in an opportunity or my team. Believer of love, kindness, truth and honesty. Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox each afternoon. 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. She does not have COVID-19, nor does she have any other health conditions. DeNicolo was laid off from the station in May 2020 after a nearly 20-year career. Guzman denied a motion to reconsider the case in April and denied McGurrens motion to amend her complaint on June 30. I love Chicago and country music and Ive never been more confident in an opportunity or my team. Thank you so much. 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. A defamation claim by former Ferguson co-host Melissa McGurren was dismissed earlier this year. 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 . 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.. 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. "We're incredibly excited to be growing our US99 family and making mornings . Nazareth won its fourth state trophy since 2019, and more importantly the programs first state title. By. Former WTMX Morning Co-Host Melissa McGurren Files $10 Million Defamation Lawsuit Against Hubbard. 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. 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. I know this is exactly where Im supposed to be, and I couldnt be happier to make this new move in my career.. Terms of her multiyear deal, negotiated by attorney Steve Mandell, were not disclosed. 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? Thank you for all those great messages. Honestly, let her not forget that. Her lawsuit claims station vice president Jeff England defamed her when he sent a message to staff in 2020 stating the station had investigated her claims and did not agree with [McGurrens] characterization of events a statement that McGurren said implied she was a liar, and which she claimed impugned her integrity. 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. 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. 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. 13 talking about this. The duo will be heard on "Melissa and Austin," weekdays from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. CT, effective May 10. Second woman alleges inappropriate behavior by Eric Ferguson of The Mix 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. She too was represented by Mandell. I wish I could fully express my gratitude and happiness about joining the US99 team, McGurren said in a statement. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Radio news and headlines delivered right to your e-mail box -- and it's free. Melissa McGurren co-hosted Eric Ferguson's morning show at WTMX-FM 101.9 before leaving the Chicago radio station in December 2020. "This far-reaching argument finds no support in the law," Guzman wrote in his decision. 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. She currently co-hosts mornings at Audacy crosstown country US99 WUSN. Hubbard Radio Wants Court To Dismiss Defamation Suits From Eric Hubbard also asked Judge Franklin Valderrram to consider Judge Guzmans rationale and toss DeNicolos complaint for the same reasons. 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. 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. (Todd Rosenberg Photography) McGurren was offered a. No reason was cited for the breakup, but reports persisted of friction between Ferguson and McGurren. McGurren first made her accusations in a complaint to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, shortly after leaving the station in December 2020. oh and REINVENTION. It all comes just as Ferguson is back from his latest surgery for spinal stenosis, a procedure involving spinal decompression and disc fusion. 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. A onetime producer of "The Jim Rome Show" for CBS Sports Radio, he owns and operatesKorkedBats.com,a comedy sports blog. 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. After McGurren left WTMX, in December 2020, she filed a charge of discrimination with the U.S. Overall the station ranked 13th with a 2.6 share and weekly cume of 710,900. After studying business in college, Tiffany embarked upon a career she never dreamed of. Veteran Chicago radio personality Melissa McGurrens effort to revive her $10 million defamation suit against Hubbard Radio has ended. We look forward to getting them under oath for questioning.. oh and REINVENTION. Shes a lot more local than most people assume. Sign the petition: action.bestfriends.org End Breed-Restrictive Insurance Practices in Illinois McGurren now hosts mornings on Audacy country station WUSN-FM 99.5. The judge also found that Hubbard did not cross the line because its statement expressed an opinion regarding McGurrens claim to the EEOC. In January 2020, I resigned after I lined up another job.. "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. May 6, 2021. McGurren filed her own federal lawsuit against Hubbard shortly afterward. Eric Ferguson attends a Rosemont concert in 2015. Dismissal of Melissa McGurren's defamation suit doesn't end legal Feder: Dismissal of defamation suit doesn't end legal claims against McGurren, who left the show in late 2020 after 22 years, has said in court filings that Ferguson created an unbearably hostile work environment. Melissa McGurren (@melissamcgurren) Instagram photos and videos Typically, cohosts will announce if youve been on maternity leave, if you are taking personal time, traveling, whatever. 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 connection with sexual harassment allegations against her former co-host on The Mix, Eric Ferguson. How would you rate this article? Eric Ferguson attends a Rosemont concert in 2015. McGurren accused Hubbard of intending to injure her and jeopardize her new career. 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 also brought an EEOC Charge of. Melissa McGurren will co-host a new morning show on country station WUSN-FM 99.5 starting Monday. Shes been with WTMX 101.9 The Mix, for a long time, and suddenly shes gone. Report: Chicago Radio Host Melissa McGurren Sues WTMX I love smooth jazz Christmas music. 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. 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. McGurren left the station in 2020 and alleged in the lawsuit that the station was intending to injure her and jeopardize her new career. 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. 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. 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By November 2019, I could not stand to be in that hostile work environment another day. 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. Former Chicago Radio Co-Host's $10M Defamation Suit Dismissed She reiterated that position in a demand for arbitration filed June 24, 2021. "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. 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.. Thanks for reading! 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. Hes part of Melissas morning show. All four women alleged management protected him because of his shows high ratings. Being part of a morning show means shes sharing so much of her life with the people who listen. 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." Jan 27, 2022 Help create big change for the pets and people in our community. 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." McGurren then took her case to the U.S. Court of Appeals. The judge on Friday ruled that the station's statement regarding a complaint made by McGurren to the U.S. Marci Braun continues as program director of US99 and regional brand manager of the country format for Audacy. 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. "We're incredibly excited to be growing . The decision mirrors another federal judges earlier decision dismissing McGurrens defamation claim against Hubbard. Shes been gone from the program long enough that her fans have been a little worried. 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. Such complaints are confidential, but her allegations later became public in a court filing that was part of DeNicolos defamation lawsuit. Both she and McGurren are represented by attorney Carmen Caruso. Theres still some major concerns. Feder flashback: So you think you know Chicago television. She collaborated with the NFL, CDC, and Heads Up Football Program in 2012 and 2013. 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..