She became a stay-at-home mom and writer with her own blog. 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. DeNicolos defamation suit included a copy of a complaint McGurren filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in which McGurren detailed Fergusons demeaning behavior and called him a serial abuser of women. DeNicolo is also represented by Caruso. What were the circumstances surrounding her departure? The arbitration document states Ferguson also called her stupid and lazy. When she would complain to Ferguson, it alleges, he ignored McGurren and would do this by raising his hand in front of her face to shush her as Ferguson described this gesture or by yelling at McGurren that (in words or substance) she did not know what she was talking about.. "It's become clear that the problems at The Mix go much deeper than a radio personality that behaved very badly for a long time. Once known as The Eric and Kathy Show, the morning show was officially re-named Eric in the Morning with Melissa and Whip after Kathy Harts departure in 2017. So boys, don't just jump to conclusions on the ladies. A report that highlighted the economic impact of Sueos Music Festival found that more than 900 jobs were created thanks to the two-day event. Melissa McCarthys, Many people are familiar with actor Drake Bell. Likely in the capacity of on-air, but as long as there is growth with the Eric and Kathy Show, both on the air and in the studio, I'll be there. Un reporte que destacaba el impacto econmico de Sueos Music Festival concluy que se haban creado ms de 900 puestos de trabajo gracias al evento de dos das de duracin. I love it. (Todd Rosenberg Photography). Fans arent sure what happened, where she went, and how things are going for her right now, and we are curious ourselves. Tell us what's wrong with this post? They weren't around very long. Melissa McGurren co-hosted a morning show with Eric Ferguson at WTMX-FM 101.9 before leaving the Chicago radio station in December 2020. I've gone to some games myself and have thoroughly enjoyed all that goes on, be it the tailgating, the camaraderie, etc. They weren't around very long. Regular news and features by award-winning author and investigative reporter. Englands internal email is an informational communication to Plaintiffs former coworkers and defendants current employees, Guzman wrote. While he described the events as very strange and unpredictable, he admitted that he had felt energized and rejuvenated following her official departure. While so many people tend to move to Chicago from far away, she is not one of those people. Drew Walker, an 18-year veteran of US99 who most recently has been hosting mornings, returns to middays from 9 a.m. to noon. If YOU know how to get me in there to help, email me (Melissa@wtmx.com<\/a>)! Left in the dark, many fans took to social media to find answers. Click to read Racket News, a Substack publication with hundreds of thousands of readers. Heres a fun fact: Shes been writing and creating her own radio shows since she was a little girl of only 8. Melissa McGurren wont be a name you recognize unless you live in Chicago, but shes very famous in her own town. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Hes part of Melissas morning show. McGurrens complaints were added to the suit as evidence that station management ignored Fergusons alleged behavior. Feder flashback: So you think you know Chicago television. I think my future is radio. Give us your feedback and you could earn a prize, Highland council candidates aim to improve town business climate, transparency, Paul Johnsons Aurora, Elgin, Naperville baseball rankings and player of the week, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. Collectively, this roster will super serve Chicagos country music audience as the standalone country station in the market, Williamson said. The coercion was that if I did not do what Ferguson was commanding, I risked losing my job, McGurren wrote. The Audacy station is pairing up Melissa McGurren and Austin Huff to host morning drive on WUSN-FM. From there, individuals turned their attention to Steve Mandell, Kathys agent. 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. Those comments were an attempt to paint McGurren in a false light, she alleged in a document related to the arbitration process, and were made with the intent of continuing to cover-up Fergusons serial harassment and the stations tacit approval of the alleged conduct. With that, individuals began to speculate the reasoning behind her departure. Melissa started her radio career in the Hoosier State in Hammond and Merrillville before becoming the sidekick\/traffic reporter at THE MIX. Feder flashback: So you think you know Chicago television. "With a twinkle in his eye, he stole my heart. I must admit, it was a HUGE adjustment, but there's something about sharing some parts of your life with the audience that not only makes them relate more to you, but you relate more to them. Melissa McGurren co-hosted Eric Ferguson's morning show at WTMX-FM 101.9 before leaving the Chicago radio station in December 2020. CSNChicago.com has your fix as we put the city's most popular personalities on the spot with everyone's favorite local celeb feature entitled 5 Questions with On Wednesdays, exclusively on CSNChicago.com, its our turn to grill the local media and other local VIPs with five random sports and non-sports related questions that will definitely be of interest to old and new fans alike. racket.news. We will hold them accountable, said McGurrens attorney Carmen Caruso. I love my job, I love radio and I can't imagine not being on the air. They introduce themselves when we're out and they attend our functions. By the time summer rolled around, fans had begun to wonder whether or not she was let go. While she hasnt returned to WTMX-FM 101.9, she did go on to make a guest appearance on, From there, she would go on to co-host WTMXs. After studying business in college, Tiffany embarked upon a career she never dreamed of. Shes a radio host, and she has a huge fan base. In the four-page ruling dated March 1, Guzmn wrote: Taken in context, a reasonable reader would not understand the internal email by England to have been made for the purpose of causing harm to Plaintiffs reputation or lowering her standing in the community, but rather to acknowledge the existence of the EEOC claim, convey to the radio stations employees that the matter is being investigated, and indicate that the radio station does not agree with Plaintiffs interpretation. We talk about a lot of things non-sports related so I'm fine in that aspect.<\/p>\n

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4) CSNChicago.com:<\/strong> If you could be one celebrity for one week, who would it be and why?<\/p>\n

McGurren:<\/strong> Just one? Melissa Morgan Squire. (Todd Rosenberg Photography) McGurren was offered a. 123 talking about this. Typically they listen to the show anyway and already know the dynamics. Eric in the Morning will continue with Ferguson and the current morning show team, including Violeta Podrumedic, Brian Whip Paruch and John Swany Swanson, the station said in its statement. 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. Her agent was unavailable for comment. Actually, I loved those guys but you probably don't remember. The pair had seven children together during their long marriage, and Gibson added to the family in a new relationship shortly after he separated from his wife. I will say Ive been trying to figure out the best way to handle it, but that statement was not accurate. I know this is exactly where Im supposed to be, and I couldnt be happier to make this new move in my career.. I just subscribed to Racket News. McGurrens abrupt departure from the airwaves stunned her fans. Are you 60 or older? Shes a lot more local than most people assume. 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. Subscribe to Racket News. We provide the most recent, unbiased accounts of the news that matters to you. Following the statement, it was made known that the morning show would be continuing in its original format with Eric Ferguson, Melissa McGurren, Cynthia DeNicolo, Brian Paruch, and John Swanson. All kidding aside, who knows what path the future holds, but when something "feels right", I just go with it. Do tell. I love it. I contend that Eric Ferguson is a serial abuser of women and that for many years, the management of The Mix 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 wrote in a December complaint to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. I get why people love sports. 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. She consistently strives to be the best Melissa she can be and says there is always more to learn through new experiences in life. She is the gift that keeps giving. 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. Until recently he also hosted a podcast on the site. A surprise to everyone, it was announced that Kathy had been fired from Eric & Kathy by The Mix radio station. 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. McGurren: I have StyleFile events that start every spring and last all summer. Yeah that's right. Valpo Parks director Siebert retiring, assistant Nuppnau promoted to position. I don't want to donate money (I already do that). At the age of 8, Melissa was already writing and creating radio shows on cassette tapes to play for her mom. 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 . I want to do more than that. Right now, thats a fair assessment. Soon afterward, it was revealed that she had actually been fired from the program by the station itself, The Mix. Tell us CSNChicago.com readers want to hear about it! Radio host Eric Ferguson works in the WTMX-FM studio with Melissa McGurren, center, and former co-host Kathy Hart in 2009. Un reporte que destacaba el impacto econmico de Sueos Music Festival concluy que se haban creado ms de 900 puestos de trabajo gracias al evento de dos das de duracin. Ferguson's former co-host, Melissa McGurren, filed the $10 million lawsuit last fall. Christy Gutowski and Tracy Swartz of the Chicago Tribune first reported on DeNicolossuit against Ferguson in September and have continued to advance the story. McGurren currently works as a host at the country station, US99. Fans have been worried. On Dec. 3, according to McGurrens complaint, her attorney told the station she would not return to the show without assurances the alleged harassment would stop. 5) CSNChicago.com: Name your Top 3 favorite songs/artists that would NEVER be played on The Mix? I want to be involved in the creative solutions to stop animal cruelty. DeNicolo was laid off in May 2020. Rick Springfield to perform at RiverEdge Park in Aurora as part of I Want My 80s tour, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. I want to do more than that. Besides, David Grohl is dreamy. McGurren: Just one? Tiffany and her husband are the proud parents of four children in her free time. ", Earlier, Hubbard Broadcasting released a statement that said internal and external investigations "found no evidence to corroborate allegations of illegal workplace conduct.". Hubbard never interviewed Ashrafi as part of its investigation, according to the lawsuit. Ok, so that's super cheesy,\" she says, but it's completely true.<\/p>\n

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1) CSNChicago.com:<\/strong> Melissa, first off, congrats to you and your fellow cast of characters on the massive success of the Eric and Kathy Show. Created by Melissa McGurren. The couple, who have two teenage daughters together, have been married since 2005. Right now, the Eric and Kathy Show \"feels right.\"<\/p>\n

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2) CSNChicago.com:<\/strong> Being a public figure as a radio personality naturally opens up your personal life to your listeners (i.e. Honestly, let her not forget that. In court documents filed Tuesday, Melissa McGurren, his former morning co-host on WTMX 101.9-FM, became the third woman to publicly accuse Ferguson of inappropriate behavior at the Hubbard. McGurren was offered a contract extension, which much to our surprise she declined, the station said in a statement Wednesday. We get hundreds of people coming. McGurren: When I first started, I didn't mind talking about some aspects of my life. "I am confident that at the end of the day the courts will rule and the right outcome will prevail.. The new love of her life is her son Porter, who was born in December 2010. To back this claim, McGurrens suit includes a statement from a third former co-host, Jennifer Ashrafi, who says she warned a Hubbard executive before she left the station in January 2020 of the toxicand hostile work environment toward women that existed on The Mixs morning shows. 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 . On Dec. 9, 2019, Ferguson allegedly berated McGurren on the air for showing up to work in a good mood while he was in a bad mood. Are you 60 or older? We wish her the best., Eric Ferguson, from left, Melissa McGurren and Kathy Hart work on "Eric & Kathy" on Nov. 11, 2009. We thought wed look into her life and see whats up with her and the fact that shes been gone for months. Former WTMX staffer sues Eric in the Morning host Eric Ferguson, alleging radio star coerced sexual favors, Second woman alleges inappropriate behavior by Eric Ferguson of The Mix radio, Do you read Chicago Tribune email newsletters? The shows popularity seems limitless right now. In her EEOC complaint, McGurren said the discrimination against her dates to 2005 and she complained dozens of times from 2010 to 2018 to Mary Ellen Kachinske, the stations program director at the time. Radio host Eric Ferguson and former WTMX assistant producer Cynthia Skolak, now Cynthia DeNicolo, at the station's studio in August 2004. Moving to Chicago was a natural move for her. The suit states the woman, who was around 25 when she began working at The Mix, was pressured to give Ferguson oral sex twice a month and babysit his children for almost a decade. Her successor, Melissa McGurren, left without giving a reason in December 2020. Solk did not respond to a Tribune request for comment through entertainment company Audacy, where he is now vice president of programming and operations for its Chicago market. 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 wrote that Ferguson knew she complained to management and this caused his alleged harassment to escalate. . Her EEOC complaint also said Ferguson would frequently and inappropriately touch many younger female employees, or sometimes younger female listeners, at company events in Chicago or abroad in Mexico during company retreats., McGurren said she frequently complained to management about Fergusons terrible behavior. According to a Nov. 24, 2020, email included as part of an exhibit in the amended lawsuit, she wrote to human resources: Ive been mentally and verbally abused, harassed, put into tears, yelled at, belittled, ignored, mocked and my job has been threatened multiple times., [Second woman alleges inappropriate behavior by Eric Ferguson of The Mix radio], McGurrens EEOC complaint alleges the station placed her on a short leave around Thanksgiving 2020, claiming it would investigate her complaints about Ferguson, but instead used the time to begin the process of rebranding to remove my name from the show.. She claimed Hubbard falsely branded her as a liar in a staff memo after she reported Ferguson for abusive. CHICAGO Radio Hall of Famer Eric Ferguson of "Eric In The Morning" will be off the air until at least the end of October amidst sexual and professional misconduct allegations, according to media columnist Robert Feder. She does not have COVID-19, nor does she have any other health conditions. McGurren filed her EEOC complaint months later, in December 2020. At least four women have accused Ferguson of misconduct, which led the host of "Eric In the Morning" to leave the station last October. Her coworker, Whip, calls her the secret weapon on their show. Likely in the capacity of on-air, but as long as there is growth with the Eric and Kathy Show, both on the air and in the studio, I'll be there. On Tuesday, former. Michael Jackson, for instance, is a huge favorite for her. Melissa McGurren After more. Michael Jackson -- Like most people, I started listening to his music again after his sad death. He repeatedly threatened she would lose her job, including once if she did not move from the suburbs into the city and another time when she did not attend a station Christmas party that conflicted with her sons ninth birthday, according to the document. 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.