"The key to the success of this entertainment based, lifestyle driven show has been its ability to keep the content edgy enough to engage adults but with enough tongue in cheek humor to sail right over the heads of kids," the website states. Michael Jackson, for instance, is a huge favorite for her. WTMX disc jockey Eric Ferguson speaks to Kaneland Middle School students in 2005. 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. The Audacy station is pairing up Melissa McGurren and Austin Huff to host morning drive on WUSN-FM. She consistently strives to be the best Melissa she can be and says there is always more to learn through new experiences in life. What really has fans upset is that no one has addressed her disappearance from the show. ", McGurren became the third woman to accuse Ferguson following former producer Cynthia DeNicolo and former sales employee Kristen Mori, who said Ferguson groped her at a holiday party and station management "turned a blind eye. Plus -- I'm looking for a charity that I can really be involved in that deals with animals. (Michael Walker/for the Chicago Tribune). New Tradition Chorus "Blast From the Past" with songs of '70s and '80s. 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. In his ruling, Gomez cited the legal statute opinions that do not misstate facts are protected by the First Amendment and are non-actionable. McGurren posted a video earlier this month on her Facebook page, explaining she was fine after listeners wondered where she was after being absent from the show for weeks. ", In court documents made public Tuesday, McGurren said Ferguson abused his power in the workplace and made the station a "hostile" place to work, calling him a "serial abuser of women." Shes a radio host, and she has a huge fan base. Melissa McGurren Retweeted. Ive always wanted to work at the Mix, and this is not how I saw things coming. She recently landed a job as a morning show co-host at the Audacy station WUSN-FM 99.5. Shes dating someone right now, and apparently, his name is Jim. Besides, David Grohl is dreamy. The UChicago Men's Soccer team has won the Div3 National Championship for the first time ever! A onetime producer of "The Jim Rome Show" for CBS Sports Radio, he owns and operatesKorkedBats.com,a comedy sports blog. "With a twinkle in his eye, he stole my heart. How could we improve it? 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.. Actually, I loved those guys but you probably don't remember. 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.. Ferguson, a Radio Hall of Famer and once Chicago's highest paid radio personality, stepped down in October after 25 years at The Mix. McGurren left the station in 2020 and alleged in the lawsuit that the station was intending to injure her and jeopardize her new career. 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. I want to be involved in the creative solutions to stop animal cruelty. A radio personality, Kathy Hart gained fame as one-half of. The shows popularity seems limitless right now. Thanks for reading! I don't know what the future holds for me. I actually feel like I'm friends with them as much as they are with me.<\/p>\n

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3) CSNChicago.com:<\/strong> You've stated that you don't know that much about sports not sure if I can believe that. Melissa McGurren wont be a name you recognize unless you live in Chicago, but shes very famous in her own town. Melissa McGurren co-hosted a morning show with Eric Ferguson at WTMX-FM 101.9 before leaving the Chicago radio station in December 2020. Left in the dark, many fans took to social media to find answers. For their contributions, both Eric and Kathy were inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2016. For those whod like to keep up with Kathy, shes relatively active on Twitter at @KathyHartCgo (she had changed her handle from @KathyTheMix after the incident). All kidding aside, who knows what path the future holds, but when something "feels right", I just go with it. Tell us CSNChicago.com readers want to hear about it!<\/p>\n

McGurren:<\/strong> I have StyleFile events that start every spring and last all summer. Regular news and features by award-winning author and investigative reporter. That statement, along with other allegations of misconduct, was included in DeNicolos lawsuit filed in May. 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. ANY Frank Sinatra song is fantastic! 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. She grew up in Portage, Indiana, which is not too far. Ultimately, it was after she moved to Rockford that she had gotten into radio. They introduce themselves when we're out and they attend our functions. CHICAGO - A third woman accused popular Chicago radio host Eric Ferguson of inappropriate behavior in court documents filed Tuesday. I love it. McGurren ultimately left in 2020 and later posted an emotional video on Instagram saying, "The truth will come out." 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! If YOU know how to get me in there to help, email me (Melissa@wtmx.com)! 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. Melissa & Austin. 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. McGurren also alleged Ferguson harassed her about her clothes, often telling her what to wear. McGurren: Just one? McGurren was offered a contract extension, which much to our surprise she declined, the station said in a statement Wednesday. This comes in the form of e-mails (mostly). "Eric & Kathy," dubbed . The married couple held hands while out on a walk around the neighborhood on Wednesday afternoon (April 19) in New York City. According to reports, the co-host had been fired by Hubbard Radio, the owner of The Mix station. I don't want to donate money (I already do that). As far as being nervous when pro athletes come in, nahnot really. Hes part of Melissas morning show. 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. 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. May 6, 2021. "Eric in the Morning" host Eric Ferguson, center, stands with former co-host Melissa McGurren, left, and Brian Whip Paruch. Last week U.S. District Court Judge Ronald A. Guzmn rejected McGurren's claim and granted Hubbards motion to dismiss her suit. PHOTOS: Check out the latest pics of Ryan Reynolds She became a stay-at-home mom and writer with her own blog. Freelance writer who loves dogs and anything related to Japanese culture. 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. ], Our plans for the future of Eric in the Morning definitely included Melissa, Jeff England, vice president and market manager at Hubbard Chicago which owns and operates the Mix said in the statement. I actually feel like I'm friends with them as much as they are with me. I definitely know more now that we talk about it on the show, but I don't really follow it. 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. Hugely successful, it had become one of Chicagos top-rated shows within just three years of its debut. McGurrens defamation suit claims the statement falsely calls her a liar and attacks her credibility and integrity. 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. Ferguson emphatically denies the existence of a sexual relationship with DeNicolo as well as engaging in the other conduct alleged in the complaint, his lawyers said in their motion. Click to read Racket News, a Substack publication with hundreds of thousands of readers. Anyone remember Tim and Willy, on Kick's Country? McGurren has sought treatment through therapy as a result.. While she hasnt returned to WTMX-FM 101.9, she did go on to make a guest appearance on Good Day Chicago last September. 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 . With that, individuals began to speculate the reasoning behind her departure. A woman who accused radio host Eric Ferguson of creating an unbearable work environment has filed a defamation lawsuit against the radio stations parent company claimingit either never looked into her claims or the investigation was a sham.. McGurren filed her EEOC complaint months later, in December 2020. As the aforementioned primary sidekick to E & K, do you have any aspirations to one day soon have your own radio show? "This far-reaching argument finds no support in the law," Guzman wrote in his decision. To this day, however, no official explanation has been given regarding her leave. imgur. Desde festivales de danza y gastronoma hasta conciertos y desfiles, los latinos de Chicago tienen mucho que esperar este verano. I know I worry too much about saying the wrong thing to people or hurting their feelings. Yeah that's right. Shes always wanted to be in the business, and she always wanted to do things like this that she loves so much. On Tuesday, former. Feder flashback: So you think you know Chicago television. Created by Melissa McGurren. Englands internal email is an informational communication to Plaintiffs former coworkers and defendants current employees, Guzman wrote. McGurren: When I first started, I didn't mind talking about some aspects of my life. In a complaint filed with the U.S. ANY Frank Sinatra song is fantastic!<\/p>\n

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BONUS QUESTION! I love my job, I love radio and I can't imagine not being on the air. 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 connection with sexual harassment allegations against her former co-host on The Mix, Eric Ferguson. His conduct rose to such a level to render her place of work unbearable, forcing her to leave a job she loved and excelled in, the arbitration document said. I think my future is radio. Overall the station ranked 13th with a 2.6 share and weekly cume of 710,900. And we are confident of our client's underlying claims against Hubbard and look forward to our hearing in arbitration.". 123 talking about this. And I just think that the most important thing is the truth, and hopefully not hopefully the truth will come out. McGurren: I have StyleFile events that start every spring and last all summer. 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.<\/p>\n

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!<\/p>\n

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BIO:<\/strong> Moving to Chicago wasn't a far trip for Melissa McGurren, who grew up in Portage, Ind. Fans have been worried. 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. Kachinske, who departed WTMX in 2018, allegedly admitted she wanted Ferguson to behave appropriately and professionally but stated on numerous occasions that nothing could be done because of Fergusons importance to the station, according to the complaint. Besides, David Grohl is dreamy. I went through a time of just wanting to have fun myself and so have my girlfriends. In the latest Nielsen Audio survey, mornings on The Mix tied for fifth place overall with a 4.5 percent share and cumulative weekly audience of 339,200. "Eric in the Morning" host Eric Ferguson, center, stands with former co-host Melissa McGurren, left, and Brian Whip Paruch. Robservations: WGN Radio jumping the gun on turning 100; ABC 7's Judy Hsu, Ryan Chiaverini host Irish parade; Adam Hoge joins CHGO Sports, 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. By. BONUS QUESTION! Fergusons conduct this day humiliated McGurren, as Ferguson intended. The former couple sold their Hinsdale home for less than they paid for it in 2020. off the air until at least the end of October, 'Eric In The Morning' Host Coerced Sexual Favors: Ex-WTMX Staffer, Melissa McGurren, left without giving a reason, most successful morning team in Chicago radio history. She released a video to her own Facebook account that says shes sorry for her absence and that shes all right. These are some of the questions that well hopefully be answering below. 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. I will say Ive been trying to figure out the best way to handle it, but that statement was not accurate. Feder flashback: So you think you know Chicago television. 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.. Official WTMX Eric and Kathy Show home page, alias => "chicago\/\/5-questions-melissa-mcgurren", title => "5 Questions with Melissa McGurren", article_body => "

CSN Chicago Senior Director of Communications
CSNChicago.com Contributor<\/p>\n

Want to know more about your favorite Chicago media celebrities? Melissa McGurren co-hosted a morning show with Eric Ferguson at WTMX-FM 101.9 before leaving the Chicago radio station in December 2020. A surprise to everyone, it was announced that Kathy had been fired from, In the end, it was announced that the morning show would be continuing under a different name, What Happened to Kathy from Eric and Kathy? At least four women have accused Ferguson of misconduct, which led the host of "Eric In the Morning" to leave the station last October. Blackhawks star Patrick Sharp, for example, regularly appears on the show as do other athletes from time to time. 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 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. A look back at the glory years of Eric and Kathy in the morning. McGurrens suit claims the false statements against her by Hubbard were made so the company could continue to keep a serial sexual abuser employed and profit from Fergusons show Eric in the Morning at the expense of Melissa and all other women whom Ferguson has abused and exploited.. She also claimed Ferguson engineered her dismissal. Jennifer Aguilar, who was born and raised in La Villita, takes the helm of the local chamber of commerce, which not only advocates for businesses but runs the Mexican Independence Day parade. 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. "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. We get hundreds of people coming. Hes been around for a while, hes. The complaint says McGurren knew this host had complained on their behalf to Kachinske and Greg Solk, who served as Hubbard senior vice president of programming before leaving the company in 2016. Melissa McGurren, former morning co-host on WTMX 101.9-FM,. Although the shows needed some work (come on, she was only 8 years old), she decided to pursue a career in radio. I'm ok.. 56K views, 599 likes, 402 loves, 677 comments, 33 shares: 56K views, 599 likes, 402 loves, 677 comments, 33 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from Melissa McGurren:. I love hosting them, I love the people that come and it's just \"a good ol' time.\" Listen on the show for upcoming events starting soon! 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. The new love of her life is her son Porter, who was born in December 2010. She is the gift that keeps giving. I get why people love sports. 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. 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.. I succumbed to his pressure, and because of the social media post, I received many unwanted sexual comments from men on social media..