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You can find a comprehensive archive of his material here. A status hearing in DeNicolos lawsuit against Ferguson is scheduled for Thursday in Cook County Circuit Court. 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." Amidst the continuing allegations, station management pulled Ferguson off the air, saying he will be sidelined through October. 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. 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. McGurren said she quit the station in 2020 after years of complaining about Fergusons on- and off-air behavior, claims she said were ignored by station executives who sought to protect the popular host. Guzman denied a motion to reconsider the case in April and denied McGurrens motion to amend her complaint on June 30. "This far-reaching argument finds no support in the law," Guzman wrote in his decision. McGurren, who left the show in late 2020 after 22 years, has said in court filings that Ferguson created an unbearably hostile work environment. 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. The announcement, made Thursday, comes months after McGurren mysteriously left her morning. The decision mirrors another federal judges earlier decision dismissing McGurrens defamation claim against Hubbard. Get the full report, and more Chicago media news, at robertfeder.com. Honestly, let her not forget that. In a declaration attached to McGurrens defamation suit, Ashrafi said the station was a hostile, humiliating atmosphere for female employees. "We're incredibly excited to be growing our US99 family and making mornings . 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." We look forward to getting them under oath for questioning.. McGurren currently works as a host at the country station, US99. 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." McGurren then took her case to the U.S. Court of Appeals. "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. 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. Join Facebook to connect with Melissa McGurren and others you may know. You have permission to edit this article. You can find a comprehensive archive of his material here. Violeta Podrumedic, Brian Whip Paruch, Melissa McGurren and Eric Ferguson. Feder flashback: So you think you know Chicago television. 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. "Melissa and Austin" debuted on WUSN Monday, May 10, running from 6am-9am. But two weeks later, McGurrens lawyer filed a motion for voluntary dismissal of the appeal. Her new role will make them direct competitors. A defamation claim by former Ferguson co-host Melissa McGurren was dismissed earlier this year. Robert Feder, a lifelong Chicagoan, covered the media beat in his hometown from 1980 until his retirement in 2022. "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. Guzman again, disagreed, saying that the statement was an opinion based on its position rather than a statement of facts. 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. At least four women have accused Ferguson of misconduct, which led the host of "Eric In the Morning" to leave the station last October. She is expected to be paid through the end of the year, when her contract expires. Shes been gone from the program long enough that her fans have been a little worried. Her coworker, Whip, calls her the secret weapon on their show. After McGurren left WTMX, in December 2020, she filed a charge of discrimination with the U.S. After taking Ferguson off the air last October following a series of allegations of sexual misconduct and abuse of power by former female co-workers, Hubbard parted ways with the morning host last November. 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. Eric in the Morning is expected to continue with current contributors Violeta Podrumedic and Brian Whip Paruch and producer John Swany Swanson. 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. A former assistant producer for Ferguson, Cynthia DeNicolo, had alleged the company defamed her last year by stating it found no evidence to corroborate her allegations that Ferguson engaged in illegal workplace conduct at WTMX-FM 101.9. Its actually good for the game, Sox manager Pedro Grifol said. 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. 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. He was sidelined from his popular morning radio show last year. He was sidelined from his popular morning radio show last year. Veteran Chicago radio personality Melissa McGurrens effort to revive her $10 million defamation suit against Hubbard Radio has ended. 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.. 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. McGurren and her agent, attorney Steve Mandell, declined requests for comment. 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." It finished first among women between 35 and 64. Shes always wanted to be in the business, and she always wanted to do things like this that she loves so much. 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 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. 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. View the profiles of people named Melissa McGurren. Robert Feder, a lifelong Chicagoan, covered the media beat in his hometown from 1980 until his retirement in 2022. 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. 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. McGurren first made her accusations in a complaint to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, shortly after leaving the station in December 2020. She collaborated with the NFL, CDC, and Heads Up Football Program in 2012 and 2013. 13 talking about this. 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.. She's been with WTMX 101.9 The. Shes dating someone right now, and apparently, his name is Jim. Sie knnen Ihre Einstellungen jederzeit ndern, indem Sie auf unseren Websites und Apps auf den Link Datenschutz-Dashboard klicken. Moving to Chicago was a natural move for her. 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. 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. No reason was cited for the breakup, but reports persisted of friction between Ferguson and McGurren. May 6, 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. McGurren spent most of . Thank you for all those great messages. Hes part of Melissas morning show. 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 . DeNicolo also sued Ferguson, claiming he abused his power to coerce sexual favors from her early in her career and then prevented her from advancing after she rebuffed efforts to restart an unwanted sexual relationship.. Mom 1st. 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. She's seeking $10 million in damages. She loves that they listen to her, that they reach out to her, and that they want to connect with her through their own stories. 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. WTMX disc jockey Eric Ferguson speaks to Kaneland Middle School students in 2005. Ferguson's former co-host, Melissa McGurren, filed the $10 million lawsuit last fall. 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. "I love Chicago and country music and I've never been more confident in an opportunity or my team. Fans arent sure what happened, where she went, and how things are going for her right now, and we are curious ourselves. What a fun thing to be able to grow up and make that happen for yourself. :). On Aug. 16, the appeals court issued a mandate dismissing the case. Weitere Informationen ber die Verwendung Ihrer personenbezogenen Daten finden Sie in unserer Datenschutzerklrung und unserer Cookie-Richtlinie. Shes a radio host, and she has a huge fan base. 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. 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. She is such a proud mom. Thanks, you guys. Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox each afternoon. MCGURREN also brought an EEOC Charge of. Shes a lot more local than most people assume. Mom 1st. A statement released by the company alludes to a contract extension offer it says McGurren turned down, but it provided no other details. By November 2019, I could not stand to be in that hostile work environment another day. 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. The duo will be heard on "Melissa and Austin," weekdays from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. CT, effective May 10. oh and REINVENTION. 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. Englands internal email is an informational communication to Plaintiffs former coworkers and defendants current employees, Guzman wrote. Tell us what's wrong with this post? Eric Ferguson attends a Rosemont concert in 2015. Representatives for Hubbard and Ferguson did not respond to requests for comment. The duo will be heard on "Melissa and Austin," weekdays from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. CT, effective May 10. 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). But in a Nov. 28 written opinion, U.S. District Judge Franklin Valderrama of the Northern District of Illinois found the statements were nonactionable and did not defame DeNicolo. In his ruling, Gomez cited the legal statute opinions that do not misstate facts are protected by the First Amendment and are non-actionable. Sign the petition: action.bestfriends.org End Breed-Restrictive Insurance Practices in Illinois In January 2020, I resigned after I lined up another job.. McGurren now hosts mornings on Audacy country station WUSN-FM 99.5. His ruling included three reasons why he was accepting the motion to dismiss by Hubbard. When she informed me of her decision, she described her time at the station as a privilege and that feeling is completely mutual. oh and REINVENTION. Whatever Happened to Brian Buckner from Barnwood Builders? 1 talking about this. She became a stay-at-home mom and writer with her own blog. 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. Michael Jackson, for instance, is a huge favorite for her. DeNicolo was laid off from the station in May 2020 after a nearly 20-year career. Believer of love, kindness, truth and honesty. Attorney Carmen Caruso, who represents both women, declined Tuesday to comment on Valderramas ruling. 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. They miss her, they want to see her back, and they are missing what she brings to the mix when shes on the air. 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. Chicago | Mornings @US99Chicago 6-9am SHOP Melissa's Amazon Favorites link below . The Mix and its corporate owners have been engaged in a coverup that is now exposed as a lie, Caruso told the Tribune. 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. 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. 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.". The court agrees with Hubbard that the statements have nothing to do with DeNicolos conduct on the job.. 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''. 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. "We're incredibly excited to be growing . After studying business in college, Tiffany embarked upon a career she never dreamed of. By. 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. 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. Jeff England, vice president and market manager at Hubbard Radio Chicago, was quoted as saying: Our plans for the future of Eric in the Morning definitely included Melissa. She is a mother. 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. Former WTMX Morning Co-Host Melissa McGurren Files $10 Million Defamation Lawsuit Against Hubbard. DeNicolo has also filed a separate $10 million defamation lawsuit against Hubbard Radio Chicago. Thank you so much. We thought wed look into her life and see whats up with her and the fact that shes been gone for months. It all comes just as Ferguson is back from his latest surgery for spinal stenosis, a procedure involving spinal decompression and disc fusion. Fans have been worried. 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. 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. Equal Employment and Opportunity Commission was an opinion and therefore did not constitute defamation. 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. 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. Collectively, this roster will super serve Chicagos country music audience as the standalone country station in the market, Williamson said. 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. McGurren was one of three female former station employees to raise allegations about Ferguson in court filings after DeNicolo filed her lawsuits. What really has fans upset is that no one has addressed her disappearance from the show. Terms of her multiyear deal, negotiated by attorney Steve Mandell, were not disclosed. A separate lawsuit she filed against Ferguson remains active. The dismissal of Melissa McGurren's $10 million defamation lawsuit against Hubbard Radio Chicago doesn't mean the end of legal problems for Eric Ferguson or the parent company of hot adult . In a Facebook video posted earlier, McGurren told fans: "Im really sorry that I havent been there. In court filings, McGurren said Ferguson demeaned, harassed and ridiculed her when they worked together. Im honored to wake up with this city every morning, and I cannot wait to have a ton of fun in the process.. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. She currently co-hosts mornings at Audacy crosstown country US99 WUSN. We take these allegations seriously and we are confident in the results of multiple investigations we have initiated, England said when announcing to staff that Ferguson would not be hosting mornings in October. Melissa McGurren, former morning co-host on WTMX 101.9-FM, worked at the Hubbard Radio Chicago station that's more popularly known as The Mix for more than two decades before leaving in 2020. She does not have COVID-19, nor does she have any other health conditions. 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. 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.