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Want to know more about your favorite Chicago media celebrities? -. 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. All kidding aside, who knows what path the future holds, but when something \"feels right\", I just go with it. In a complaint filed with the U.S. I definitely know more now that we talk about it on the show, but I don't really follow it. To this day, however, no official explanation has been given regarding her leave. ", EARLIER: 'Eric In The Morning' Host Coerced Sexual Favors: Ex-WTMX Staffer. Guzman also provided McGurren with a window of time to amend her complaint and gave Hubbard 14 days to respond to her amended filing. "Im energized to move forward and defend myself against claims made against me and the station, and look forward to seeing them through to their conclusion," Ferguson said at the time. Eric Ferguson, from left, Melissa McGurren and Kathy Hart work on "Eric & Kathy" on Nov. 11, 2009. McGurren, 51, did not return a Tribune request for comment, and she did not elaborate on the truth in the video she made after the station issued its statement. Suffice it to say that we do not agree with Melissas characterization of events, but we are committed to following the appropriate process and not litigating this matter in the public or the press.". Typically they listen to the show anyway and already know the dynamics. 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. The couple wed in . We will hold them accountable, said McGurrens attorney Carmen Caruso. People share their stories with me. 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. According to Feder, Vice President of Hubbard Radio Chicago Jeff England alerted employees to more allegations in a company message, saying directors were initiating "multiple investigations. Cross country star Sara Armstrong outruns people. Her first time on the airwaves since she went on leave from Eric & Kathy that April, she had co-hosted the program with Anita Padilla, Kristen Nicole, Natalie Bomke, and Darlene Hill. Anyone remember Tim and Willy, on Kick's Country? Ferguson's ex-wife filed for divorce from the radio host in August 2019. Melissa McGurren, co-host of Eric Fergusons morning show, said Wednesday the truth will come out about her departure from WTMX-FM 101.9 after more than two decades with the contemporary music station. Being part of a morning show means shes sharing so much of her life with the people who listen. PHOTOS: Check out the latest pics of Ryan Reynolds To their dismay, however, he was unable to make any comments about the situation as Hubbard had requested for them not to do so. "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. According to the Chicago Tribune, which broke the story of the lawsuit, the "unwelcome sexual relationship" plagued the start of DeNicolo's career in radio and that she was fired 16 years after she stopped giving sexual favors. While she does not address the actual reason for her disappearance, she does make it clear that she and her family are all healthy and shes hopeful everyone stays that way. Feder flashback: So you think you know Chicago television. 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. In a court filing included with that defamation suit, a former WTMX sales employee alleged Ferguson groped her at a station Christmas party in full view of her husband and co-workers in 2003. She consistently strives to be the best Melissa she can be and says there is always more to learn through new experiences in life. 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. I love my job, I love radio and I can't imagine not being on the air. For their contributions, both Eric and Kathy were inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2016. the trials and tribulations of motherhood, relationships, etc.). McGurren also alleged Ferguson harassed her about her clothes, often telling her what to wear. I get why people love sports. 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? In a complaint filed with the U.S. Latest Job Openings In And Around Chicago, 5 New Properties On The Market In And Around The Chicago Area, Mike'd Up: How A Chicagoan's Ditka-Inspired Bachelor Party Went Viral. If YOU know how to get me in there to help, email me (Melissa@wtmx.com)! There's no doubt you've attained a solid fan base over the years thanks in part to your great sense of humor and ability to put your male counterparts in their place if needed! Her father was a specialist in under-water bomb disposal and her mother had a Masters' in early childhood education. Free Professional Website Design & SEO for Veteran-Owned Businesses, Serve Your Community in a Uniformed Service. If the show ever ends (let's say, 30 years from now), I'll probably just retire. Overall the station ranked 13th with a 2.6 share and weekly cume of 710,900. Actually, I loved those guys but you probably don't remember. 2018 Recent Updates, EveryTable After Shark Tank 2018 Update, CertifiKid 2023 Update What Happened After Shark Tank, Beyond Sushi 2023 Update What Happened After Shark Tank, Lance Reddick, Known for John Wick and The Wire Roles, Dead at 60, Popular Paleo and Keto Diets Can Be Harming Your Heart, Eagle Who Adopted a Rock Is Now a Real Dad, Woman Shot Dead After Pulling Up In Wrong Driveway, Boys Born to Mothers with COVID-19 May Have Altered Brain Development. 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. Her successor, Melissa McGurren, left without giving a reason 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. Until recently he also hosted a podcast on the site. They introduce themselves when we're out and they attend our functions. Melissa Morgan Squire. She is the gift that keeps giving. McGurren alleged Fergusons comments often were gender based, such as harassing her when she used the bathroom at work or accusing her of having hot flashes in a demeaning and condescending tone., The EEOC complaint states Ferguson coerced McGurren in April 2011 into wearing a bikini and getting a spray tan at work a video of which was posted on social media. 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. Has she returned to the radio? (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune). I succumbed to his pressure, and because of the social media post, I received many unwanted sexual comments from men on social media.. In the end, it wasnt until a few months later that an official announcement was made. McGurren also suffers severe emotional distress that has manifested in physical symptoms such as depression, anxiety, insomnia, bouts of crying, and panic attacks. 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. McGurren has sought treatment through therapy as a result.. I think my future is radio. Melissa McCarthys, Many people are familiar with actor Drake Bell. 157. 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. The woman, Kristen Mori of Ohio, wrote that management turned a blind eye towards (his) inappropriate and offensive conduct because of the revenue generated by his show. 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. Collectively, this roster will super serve Chicagos country music audience as the standalone country station in the market, Williamson said. McGurren: Ok, first up, give me some old Dixie Chicks and I'm pretty much in heaven. 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.. 18.2k Followers, 1,343 Following, 64 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Melissa McGurren (@melissamcgurren) Believer of love, kindness, truth and honesty. What has Kathy been up to since then? She says what she wants, does what she wants, is very funny and I still think deep down she is a pretty nice lady. They miss her, they want to see her back, and they are missing what she brings to the mix when shes on the air. This marks the second co-host to exit Eric Ferguson's morning show in recent years, after the departure of Kathy Hart in 2017. Rick Springfield to perform at RiverEdge Park in Aurora as part of I Want My 80s tour, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. These are some of the questions that well hopefully be answering below. (Todd Rosenberg Photography) McGurren was offered a. 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. The UChicago Men's Soccer team has won the Div3 National Championship for the first time ever! Desde festivales de danza y gastronoma hasta conciertos y desfiles, los latinos de Chicago tienen mucho que esperar este verano. Hubbard Radio Chicago perpetuated the culture that made a toxic workplace possible. I'm not looking to host events. Fans arent sure what happened, where she went, and how things are going for her right now, and we are curious ourselves. McGurrens defamation suit claims the statement falsely calls her a liar and attacks her credibility and integrity. Melissa McGurren, former morning co-host on WTMX 101.9-FM,. 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. 4) CSNChicago.com: If you could be one celebrity for one week, who would it be and why? 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.