Heres a fun fact: Shes been writing and creating her own radio shows since she was a little girl of only 8. 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. 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. Mom 1st. Melissa McGurren to co-host a new morning show on Chicago country I love smooth jazz Christmas music. Feder: US99 hires Melissa McGurren to host mornings - Daily Herald 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. It just brings alertness and focus to the game., White Sox notebook: Benintendi, Anderson, Alberto, Saturdays win. Guzman also provided McGurren with a window of time to amend her complaint and gave Hubbard 14 days to respond to her amended filing. She is such a proud mom. Hubbard also asked Judge Franklin Valderrram to consider Judge Guzmans rationale and toss DeNicolos complaint for the same reasons. Moving to Chicago was a natural move for her. She did promise her followers back in October that she would reveal him sooner or later, but shes yet to do so. She grew up in Portage, Indiana, which is not too far. 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. Melissa McGurren wont be a name you recognize unless you live in Chicago, but shes very famous in her own town. At least four women have accused Ferguson of misconduct, which led the host of "Eric In the Morning" to leave the station last October. Representatives for Hubbard and Ferguson did not respond to requests for comment. 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.". Thank you so much. Shes a radio host, and she has a huge fan base. 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. 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." Eric in the Morning is expected to continue with current contributors Violeta Podrumedic and Brian Whip Paruch and producer John Swany Swanson. Honestly, let her not forget that. 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. 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 & Austin Huff To Host Mornings At US99 Facebook gives people the. Former Chicago Radio Co-Host's $10M Defamation Suit Dismissed Join Facebook to connect with Melissa McGurren and others you may know. Tuesdays comment of the day: Rita Buda: I can't wait to listen to Rick O'Dell's top 12 smooth jazz Christmas tunes. 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. 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 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. A defamation claim by former Ferguson co-host Melissa McGurren was dismissed earlier this year. I wish I could fully express my gratitude and happiness about joining the US99 team, McGurren said in a statement. 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. DeNicolo was laid off from the station in May 2020 after a nearly 20-year career. Report: Chicago Radio Host Melissa McGurren Sues WTMX She claimed Hubbard falsely branded her as a liar in a staff memo after she reported Ferguson for [] Shes been with WTMX 101.9 The Mix, for a long time, and suddenly shes gone. Mom 1st. Right now, thats a fair assessment. Melissa McGurren will co-host a new morning show on country station WUSN-FM 99.5 starting Monday. Melissa McGurren won't be a name you recognize unless you live in Chicago, but she's very famous in her own town. 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. Feder flashback: So you think you know Chicago television. His name is actually Brian Paruch, but hes been called Whip for more than a decade. 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. What really has fans upset is that no one has addressed her disappearance from the show. 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. 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. Owner of 'The Mix' didn't defame former assistant who accused host Eric Lefty reliever Brandon Hughes also has been on a later game schedule after a heavy workload last season. -. 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. After being missing from "Eric In The Morning" for the past several weeks, Hubbard Hot AC "101.9 The Mix" WTMX Skokie/Chicago has revealed that co-host Melissa McGurren is departing the station after declining a contract extension offered to her. Former WTMX radio host Melissa McGurren's defamation lawsuit dismissed McGurren accused Hubbard of intending to injure her and jeopardize her new career. Fans have been worried. However, McGurren's suit states "Hubbard Radio's statement" that the company "thoroughly investigated" her allegations "is false." 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. In a Facebook video posted earlier, McGurren told fans: "Im really sorry that I havent been there. Melissa McGurren Departs WTMX's Eric In The Morning She also loves artists like the Foo Fighters. They miss her, they want to see her back, and they are missing what she brings to the mix when shes on the air. 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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. 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. McGurren now hosts mornings on Audacy country station WUSN-FM 99.5. US99 Chicago Launches New Morning Show. She is a huge fan of different genres of music that would never be played on her own station. Nazareth won its fourth state trophy since 2019, and more importantly the programs first state title. McGurren currently co-hosts mornings at Audacy crosstown country US99 WUSN. 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. Terms of her multiyear deal, negotiated by attorney Steve Mandell, were not disclosed. "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. A onetime producer of "The Jim Rome Show" for CBS Sports Radio, he owns and operatesKorkedBats.com,a comedy sports blog. She too was represented by Mandell. Shes always wanted to be in the business, and she always wanted to do things like this that she loves so much. Judge dismisses defamation case against WTMX owner - Chicago Sun-Times McGurren, who left the show in late 2020 after 22 years, has said in court filings that. 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. Starting. Shes been gone from the program long enough that her fans have been a little worried. 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. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Radio news and headlines delivered right to your e-mail box -- and it's free. Melissa McGurren - Facebook The suit against Ferguson states that in 2004 she stopped providing oral sex in response to his demands, which he allegedly made by using the code words I need a back rub. She said Ferguson taunted her with the phrase throughout her remaining tenure at the station. Chicago | Mornings @US99Chicago 6-9am SHOP Melissa's Amazon Favorites link below . 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. 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." Read the entire Chicago Tribune article here. 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. Englands internal email is an informational communication to Plaintiffs former coworkers and defendants current employees, Guzman wrote. oh and REINVENTION. After studying business in college, Tiffany embarked upon a career she never dreamed of. 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. Veteran Chicago radio personality Melissa McGurren's effort to revive her $10 million defamation suit against Hubbard Radio has ended. Violeta Podrumedic, Brian Whip Paruch, Melissa McGurren and Eric Ferguson. Her new role will make them direct competitors. The breakup came less than a year after the ubiquitous duo known as "Eric & Kathy" were inducted in the Radio Hall of Fame. oh and REINVENTION. Radio host Eric Ferguson works in the WTMX-FM studio with Melissa McGurren, center, and former co-host Kathy Hart in 2009. . In a declaration attached to McGurrens defamation suit, Ashrafi said the station was a hostile, humiliating atmosphere for female employees. You can find a comprehensive archive of his material here. similar defamation lawsuit filed by Cynthia DeNicolo, Hubbard parted ways with the morning host. McGurren spent most of . Shes a lot more local than most people assume. His ruling included three reasons why he was accepting the motion to dismiss by Hubbard. 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. 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. McGurren called Ferguson a serial abuser of women, station management pulled Ferguson off the air, a separate $10 million defamation lawsuit against Hubbard Radio. 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." McGurren then took her case to the U.S. Court of Appeals. 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? Until recently he also hosted a podcast on the site. Former Eric Ferguson co-host Melissa McGurren files suit - Yahoo! 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. In her defamation suit, McGurren, who worked for 22 years at WTMX, claimed Hubbard did not perform an investigation or conducted a sham investigation of her earlier harassment allegations against Ferguson and that Hubbard attacked her credibility and integrity with comments it made to staff about her allegations. But, her cohosts have not said a word, and thats what has fans worried. 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. I really truly am. Tell us what's wrong with this post? 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. Guzman again, disagreed, saying that the statement was an opinion based on its position rather than a statement of facts. 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. Shes a huge Frank Sinatra fan, too. McGurren left the station in 2020 and alleged in the lawsuit that the station was intending to injure her and jeopardize her new career. McGurren, who left the show in late 2020 after 22 years, has said in court filings that Ferguson created an unbearably hostile work environment. Radio host sells Hinsdale home for less than he paid - Crain's Chicago Guzman denied a motion to reconsider the case in April and denied McGurrens motion to amend her complaint on June 30. Now, in her defamation suit, McGurren accuses Hubbard of intending to injure her and jeopardize her new career. Former WTMX staffer sues 'Eric in the Morning' host - NewsBreak The judges ruling is with prejudice, meaning DeNicolo cannot file an amended complaint. You can find a comprehensive archive of his material here. 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." She is a mother. Shes dating someone right now, and apparently, his name is Jim. Dismissal of Melissa McGurren's defamation suit doesn't end legal Former WTMX Morning Co-Host Melissa McGurren Files $10 Million "We're incredibly excited to be growing our US99 family and making mornings . Huff, a native of Nashville, Tennessee, and self-described country music fan, is a graduate of the Missouri School of Journalism at the University of Missouri. Eric Ferguson attends a Rosemont concert in 2015. By. Second woman alleges inappropriate behavior by Eric Ferguson of The Mix 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. After McGurren left WTMX, in December 2020, she filed a charge of discrimination with the U.S. 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. Melissa McGurren - Facebook A status hearing in DeNicolos lawsuit against Ferguson is scheduled for Thursday in Cook County Circuit Court. WTMX promoted Chris Petlak from afternoons to mornings, effective Jan. 24. On Aug. 16, the appeals court issued a mandate dismissing the case. Theres still some major concerns. 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. WTMX afternoon host Chris Petlak succeeded Ferguson as host of the morning show on The Mix in January. The decision mirrors another federal judges earlier decision dismissing McGurrens defamation claim against Hubbard. Former WTMX radio host Melissa McGurren's $10 million defamation suit Suffice it to say that we do not agree with Melissa's characterization of events.". Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox each afternoon. Melissa McGurren (@melissamcgurren) Instagram photos and videos 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). No reason was cited for the breakup, but reports persisted of friction between Ferguson and McGurren. 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 . Melissa McGurren Drops Attempt To Revive Her Defamation Case Against Hubbard. 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. Officials of the Hubbard Radio hot adult-contemporary station ended speculation today about McGurren's lengthy absenceand announced a parting of the ways. Suffice it to say that we do not agree with Melissas characterization of events.. 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. 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. When she informed me of her decision, she described her time at the station as a privilege and that feeling is completely mutual. I love Chicago and country music and Ive never been more confident in an opportunity or my team. Paddock Publications, Inc. is an Employee-Owned Company. Hubbard Radios statement that the company thoroughly investigated McGurrens allegations is false, according to McGurrens suit. Melissa McGurren Drops Attempt To Revive Her Defamation Case Against