McGurren called Ferguson a serial abuser of women, station management pulled Ferguson off the air, a separate $10 million defamation lawsuit against Hubbard Radio. 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. You can find a comprehensive archive of his material here. Fans arent sure what happened, where she went, and how things are going for her right now, and we are curious ourselves. Veteran Chicago radio personality Melissa McGurren's effort to revive her $10 million defamation suit against Hubbard Radio has ended. The judge also found that Hubbard did not cross the line because its statement expressed an opinion regarding McGurrens claim to the EEOC. Shes been gone from the program long enough that her fans have been a little worried. Michael Jackson, for instance, is a huge favorite for her. 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.". 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.. In a March 1 ruling, Judge Ronald Guzman found Hubbard Chicago VP/Market Manager Jeff Englands comments to be non-actionable statements of opinion that did not fall into any of the five categories that Illinois law deems to be defamatory. Shes always wanted to be in the business, and she always wanted to do things like this that she loves so much. Whatever Happened to Brian Buckner from Barnwood Builders? In his ruling, Gomez cited the legal statute opinions that do not misstate facts are protected by the First Amendment and are non-actionable. 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 Audacy station is pairing up Melissa McGurren and Austin Huff to host morning drive on WUSN-FM. By. In January 2020, I resigned after I lined up another job.. Her new role will make them direct competitors. Believer of love, kindness, truth and honesty. Officials of the Hubbard Radio hot adult-contemporary station ended speculation today about McGurren's lengthy absenceand announced a parting of the ways. She claimed Hubbard falsely branded her as a liar in a staff memo after she reported Ferguson for [] Huff, a native of Nashville, Tennessee, and self-described country music fan, is a graduate of the Missouri School of Journalism at the University of Missouri. A defamation claim by former Ferguson co-host Melissa McGurren was dismissed earlier this year. 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 responding to her harassment claims against former co-host Eric Ferguson. After studying business in college, Tiffany embarked upon a career she never dreamed of. 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. The Mix and its corporate owners have been engaged in a coverup that is now exposed as a lie, Caruso told the Tribune. She reiterated that position in a demand for arbitration filed June 24, 2021. 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. Believer of love, kindness, truth and honesty. Thanks, you guys. We thought wed look into her life and see whats up with her and the fact that shes been gone for months. Robservations: WGN Radio names Steve Alexander to succeed Orion Samuelson, 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. A thorough investigation would have uncovered that Jennifer Ashrafi brought many of these same issues, that corroborate Melissas characterization of events, to England in January 2020, months before Melissa filed her charge with the EEOC. WTMX promoted Chris Petlak from afternoons to mornings, effective Jan. 24. McGurren, who left the show in late 2020 after 22 years, has said in court filings that. A defamation claim by former Ferguson co-host Melissa McGurren was dismissed earlier this year. I know this is exactly where Im supposed to be, and I couldnt be happier to make this new move in my career.. 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. The duo will be heard on "Melissa and Austin," weekdays from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. CT, effective May 10. However, McGurren's suit states "Hubbard Radio's statement" that the company "thoroughly investigated" her allegations "is false." She's seeking $10 million in damages. "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. Ferguson, 55, has denied the allegations but was sidelined from his popular morning show in October 2021, weeks after the Tribune first reported that DeNicolo had sued him earlier that year. She is a huge fan of different genres of music that would never be played on her own station. Guzman again, disagreed, saying that the statement was an opinion based on its position rather than a statement of facts. 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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. Melissa McGurren won't be a name you recognize unless you live in Chicago, but she's very famous in her own town. 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 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. 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. 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. Thank you so much. McGurren filed her own federal lawsuit against Hubbard shortly afterward. 13 talking about this. You can find a comprehensive archive of his material here. 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. WTMX disc jockey Eric Ferguson speaks to Kaneland Middle School students in 2005. 0. It finished first among women between 35 and 64. 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). DeNicolos other lawsuit, against Hubbard, accused her former employer of defaming her when the company stated it had investigated her claims against Ferguson but did not find corroborating evidence. Paddock Publications, Inc. is an Employee-Owned Company. In her lawsuit against Ferguson, DeNicolo alleged that he blocked raises and promotions, then orchestrated her dismissal after she refused to resume a brief sexual relationship that occurred early in her career. She grew up in Portage, Indiana, which is not too far. McGurren now hosts mornings on Audacy country station WUSN-FM 99.5. In response to McGurrens earlier claims, VP/Market Manager Jeff England said in an email to staff that the company thoroughly investigated this matter previously. 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. "We're incredibly excited to be growing our US99 family and making mornings . 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. 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. 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. We are heartened by the fact that now two federal courts and an arbitrator have ruled in Hubbards favor and have concluded that the claims brought by Ms. McGurren and Ms. DeNicolo against Hubbard lacked any legal merit, attorney Michael Roche, a partner at Winston & Strawn who represented Hubbard Radio Chicago in the litigation, said in an emailed statement. It's hard to choose, they all sound so great. McGurren, who left the show in late 2020 after 22 years, has said in court filings that Ferguson created an unbearably hostile work environment. I love smooth jazz Christmas music. 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. In court filings, McGurren said Ferguson demeaned, harassed and ridiculed her when they worked together. 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. May 6, 2021. Not so, Valderrama wrote in his 20-page opinion and order. McGurren alleged management did nothing about her concerns, then forced her out in December. Former WTMX Morning Co-Host Melissa McGurren Files $10 Million Defamation Lawsuit Against Hubbard. Shes a lot more local than most people assume. England's October 5 email prompted McGurren to sue for defamation, alleging that his statement falsely branded her a liar by attacking her credibility and integrity. But two weeks later, McGurrens lawyer filed a motion for voluntary dismissal of the appeal. 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. His ruling included three reasons why he was accepting the motion to dismiss by Hubbard. McGurren accused Hubbard of intending to injure her and jeopardize her new career. Tuesdays comment of the day: Rita Buda: I can't wait to listen to Rick O'Dell's top 12 smooth jazz Christmas tunes. No reason was cited for the breakup, but reports persisted of friction between Ferguson and McGurren. Thank you for all those great messages. McGurren currently works as a host at the country station, US99. -. McGurren currently co-hosts mornings at Audacy crosstown country US99 WUSN. Theres still some major concerns. It just brings alertness and focus to the game., White Sox notebook: Benintendi, Anderson, Alberto, Saturdays win. "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.

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