Subscribe to Racket News. Melissa McGurren Retweeted. In response, Jeff England, vice president and market manager of Hubbard Radio Chicago, sent an email to staff published here that read in part: "This is not a new development, and weve thoroughly investigated this matter previously. "Eric in the Morning" host Eric Ferguson, center, stands with former co-host Melissa McGurren, left, and Brian Whip Paruch. Michael Jackson -- Like most people, I started listening to his music again after his sad death. Michael Jackson -- Like most people, I started listening to his music again after his sad death. Ferguson then forced McGurren to walk to her car, turn around, and walk back to the station so she could start her day over again., The document continued: Ferguson ordered the Mixs social media team to film McGurren while she was making this walk of shame, and to post the video to social media. 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. Radio host Eric Ferguson and former WTMX assistant producer Cynthia Skolak, now Cynthia DeNicolo, at the station's studio in August 2004. Her father was a specialist in under-water bomb disposal and her mother had a Masters' in early childhood education. Jeff England, vice president and market manager for Hubbard Chicago, said in an emailed statement: We swiftly investigated these claims when they first came to our attention, and we are continuing to evaluate the situation and new information as it develops.. At the age of 8, Melissa was already writing and creating radio shows on cassette tapes to play for her mom. I've gone to some games myself and have thoroughly enjoyed all that goes on, be it the tailgating, the camaraderie, etc. Are you 60 or older? People share their stories with me. 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.McGurren accused Hubbard of intending to injure her and jeopardize her new . McGurren: Just one? As one thing led to another, she had found herself hosting a morning show with Brian Peck, with whom she worked with for several years. ", EARLIER: 'Eric In The Morning' Host Coerced Sexual Favors: Ex-WTMX Staffer. McGurren left the station in 2020 and alleged in the lawsuit that the station was intending to injure her and jeopardize her new career. This weeks guest a standout cast member of the enormously popular Eric and Kathy Show on 101.9 FM THE MIX shes a Northwest Indiana native whose love of media and personal drive to make it in the crazy world of radio broadcasting landed her at just about the best place one can hope to be at in the biz plus, she's pretty damn funny too here are 5 Questions with MELISSA McGURREN! DeNicolo, a former assistant producer of Eric in the Morning, alleged Ferguson coerced sexual favors from her in 2004, then retaliated against her for years after she put a stop to it, according to her lawsuit, filed by attorney Carmen Caruso. Ultimately, it was after she moved to Rockford that she had gotten into radio. Left in the dark, many fans took to social media to find answers. PHOTOS: Check out the latest pics of Ryan Reynolds Ok, so that's super cheesy," she says, but it's completely true. What a fun thing to be able to grow up and make that happen for yourself. Get the best water damage restoration in Chicago right now! She also loves artists like the Foo Fighters. Ive always wanted to work at the Mix, and this is not how I saw things coming, so here I sit. The new love of her life is her son Porter, who was born in December 2010. Regular news and features by award-winning author and investigative reporter. Listen on the show for upcoming events starting soon! the trials and tribulations of motherhood, relationships, etc.). Besides, David Grohl is dreamy. This comes in the form of e-mails (mostly). Besides allegations of a hostile work environment, defamation and infliction of emotional distress, McGurren contended she was intentionally paid less than men in similar or comparable positions., Attorneys for Ferguson did not immediately respond to requests for comment Tuesday. She did promise her followers back in October that she would reveal him sooner or later, but shes yet to do so. His music will forever be timeless to me. I did a different show (for a short time). Melissa McGurren co-hosted Eric Ferguson's morning show at WTMX-FM 101.9 before leaving the Chicago radio station in December 2020. Former Chicago radio host Melissa McGurren can't try again to sue her former employer, Hubbard Radio, for defamation, as a Chicago federal judge again found an executive at radio station WTMX did not claim McGurren lied under oath when he said the company did "not agree with Melissa's characterization of events" surrounding her claims of workplace harassment against her former on-air . McGurren also suffers severe emotional distress that has manifested in physical symptoms such as depression, anxiety, insomnia, bouts of crying, and panic attacks. Blackhawks star Patrick Sharp, for example, regularly appears on the show as do other athletes from time to time. I just subscribed to Racket News. 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. US99 Chicago Launches New Morning Show. 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. Was\/is that particular aspect of your job difficult for you or do you feel that it is just an absolute requirement in order to further connect to your audience?<\/p>\n

McGurren:<\/strong> When I first started, I didn't mind talking about some aspects of my life. When she informed me of her decision, she described her time at the station as a privilege and that feeling is completely mutual. 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! We are disappointed by the courts ruling on the defamation claim and are reviewing the path forward," Carmen D. Caruso, the attorney representing McGurren and DeNicolo, told me Saturday. BIO: Moving to Chicago wasn't a far trip for Melissa McGurren, who grew up in Portage, Ind. 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. An attorney for Hubbard Radio Chicago didnt immediately respond to a message seeking comment. Im honored to wake up with this city every morning, and I cannot wait to have a ton of fun in the process.. MELISSA McGURREN! Honestly, let her not forget that. 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. 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. Though he ultimately did not reveal much, he did divulge that the situation had the potential to be really difficult. With that said, he was happy to know that it had turned into an unbelievably positive experience.. src="https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=674090812743125&ev=PageView&noscript=1"/>, CSN Chicago Senior Director of CommunicationsCSNChicago.com Contributor. We thought wed look into her life and see whats up with her and the fact that shes been gone for months. 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. The announcement, made Thursday, comes months after McGurren mysteriously left her morning show job at WTMX 101.9-FM. What has Kathy been up to since? Are you 60 or older? Her agent was unavailable for comment. While McGurren, who now hosts mornings on Audacy country WUSN 99.5-FM, continues to pursue her claims against the company in arbitration, the case of Cynthia DeNicolo goes on. (Todd Rosenberg Photography). Melissa McGurren co-hosted a morning show with Eric Ferguson at WTMX-FM 101.9 before leaving the Chicago radio station in December 2020. 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. Free Professional Website Design & SEO for Veteran-Owned Businesses, Serve Your Community in a Uniformed Service. I think my future is radio. McGurren: I have StyleFile events that start every spring and last all summer. At least four women have accused Ferguson of misconduct, which led the host of "Eric In the Morning" to leave the station last October. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune). 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. Overall the station ranked 13th with a 2.6 share and weekly cume of 710,900. This is bizarre., Melissa McGurren co-hosted Eric Ferguson's morning show at WTMX-FM 101.9 before leaving the Chicago radio station in December 2020. What really has fans upset is that no one has addressed her disappearance from the show. Study opportunity available! 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? McGurren has sought treatment through therapy as a result.. When Melissa McGurren left her job co-hosting Eric Fergusons popular morning radio show in December, she said the truth will come out about her unexplained departure from the station known as The Mix. All kidding aside, who knows what path the future holds, but when something \"feels right\", I just go with it. 4) CSNChicago.com: If you could be one celebrity for one week, who would it be and why? I want to be involved in the creative solutions to stop animal cruelty. Ferguson's lawyers filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit last month, but did not respond to Patch's request for comment. She grew up in Portage, Indiana, which is not too far. 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. Melissa & Austin. This was when I was on another morning show. On Tuesday, former. Suffice it to say that we do not agree with Melissas characterization of events.. So boys, don't just jump to conclusions on the ladies. WTMX disc jockey Eric Ferguson speaks to Kaneland Middle School students in 2005. The station eventually removed the video from social media after the post generated a negative reaction from the morning shows fans.. Like McGurren, DeNicolo sued Hubbard for defamation after the company said it found no evidence to corroborate allegations of illegal workplace conduct. Hubbard attorneys are seeking to have that suit dismissed as well. What has Kathy been up to since then?