2) CSNChicago.com: Being a public figure as a radio personality naturally opens up your personal life to your listeners (i.e. Ferguson's ex-wife filed for divorce from the radio host in August 2019. We wish her the best., Eric Ferguson, from left, Melissa McGurren and Kathy Hart work on "Eric & Kathy" on Nov. 11, 2009. Solk, like Kachinske, did nothing in response to the complaints, McGurren wrote in the EEOC complaint. Melissa McGurren, Eric Ferguson's morning show co-host, on leaving WTMX Melissa McCarthys, Many people are familiar with actor Drake Bell. Actually, I loved those guys but you probably don't remember. 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. We were disappointed by her decision not to renew her contract, but also know that this year has led all of us to assess our lives in different ways. 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. McGurren left her job because she could no longer stand Fergusons harassment and managements refusal to do anything aboutit, according to the lawsuit filed Thursday in Cook County Circuit Court. Suffice it to say that we do not agree with Melissas characterization of events.. Free Learn for Life Webinar: Entrepreneurship Fundamentals. Melissa started her radio career in the Hoosier State in Hammond and Merrillville before becoming the sidekick\/traffic reporter at THE MIX. Typically they listen to the show anyway and already know the dynamics. 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. From 2009 to 2010, he was dating . She's been with WTMX 101.9 The. I don't want to donate money (I already do that). Listen on the show for upcoming events starting soon! An attorney for Hubbard Radio Chicago didnt immediately respond to a message seeking comment. Shes a radio host, and she has a huge fan base. (Todd Rosenberg Photography) McGurren was offered a. Former co-host of radio personality Eric Ferguson accuses him of (Todd Rosenberg Photography). In a complaint filed with the U.S. Tweet. Last fall, fans were shocked to learn that Kathy Hart had been let go from her radio show, Eric & Kathy (interestingly enough, the co-host had been absent from the program for more than four months at the time). People share their stories with me. 18.2k Followers, 1,343 Following, 64 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Melissa McGurren (@melissamcgurren) Plus -- I'm looking for a charity that I can really be involved in that deals with animals. A wonderful woman. 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. CHICAGO After three women have accused radio host Eric Ferguson of fostering a sexist and hostile work environment, a former 101.9 FM "The Mix" employee is speaking out. 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. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. The judge also found that Hubbard did not cross the line because its statement expressed an opinion regarding McGurrens claim to the EEOC. Born and raised in Chicago, Kathy spent the majority of her early life in Crystal Lake. 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-contemporary WTMX 101.9-FM.. McGurren, you'll recall, was co-host of Ferguson's morning show when she left in 2020 after 22 years at The Mix. Hubbard never interviewed Ashrafi as part of its investigation, according to the lawsuit. In complaints made public Tuesday in court filings, McGurren alleged Ferguson subjected her to an unbearable hostile work environment and that the management of WTMX-FM 101.9 did nothing about it for years. Cross country star Sara Armstrong outruns people. As it happened, Kathy had posted a statement on her Facebook page, in which she had stated that she fully intends to be back on the air., Around that same time, Kathys former co-host Eric also shared his thoughts on her departure in an interview. I wish I could fully express my gratitude and happiness about joining the US99 team, McGurren said in a statement. 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. 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? Dismissal of Melissa McGurren's defamation suit doesn't end legal 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. I know I worry too much about saying the wrong thing to people or hurting their feelings. These are some of the questions that well hopefully be answering below. Freelance writer who loves dogs and anything related to Japanese culture. 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 . Melissa Morgan Squire. To their dismay, however, he was unable to make any comments about the situation as Hubbard had requested for them not to do so. 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. Yeah that's right. You can find a comprehensive archive of his material here. A surprise to everyone, it was announced that Kathy had been fired from Eric & Kathy by The Mix radio station. The Audacy station is pairing up Melissa McGurren and Austin Huff to host morning drive on WUSN-FM. The amended defamation suit against Hubbard includes details of McGurrens ongoing efforts to seek compensation through the EEOC complaint and an arbitration process. Former Chicago Radio Co-Host's $10M Defamation Suit Dismissed I think my future is radio. The station was aware of the connections before Kluth and McAdams started, Idler added. McGurren provided several examples of Fergusons alleged harassment in the arbitration document. Judge turns down bid by ex-Chicago radio host to reboot $10M defamation 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 know this is exactly where Im supposed to be, and I couldnt be happier to make this new move in my career.. 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. Eric Ferguson Off The Air For Now, Melissa Speaks Out: Reports Click to read Racket News, a Substack publication with hundreds of thousands of readers. 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 . After being missing from "Eric In The Morning" for the past several weeks, Hubbard Hot AC "101.9 The Mix" WTMX Skokie/Chicago has revealed that co-host Melissa McGurren is departing the station after declining a contract extension offered to her. oh and REINVENTION. Robert Feder, a lifelong Chicagoan, covered the media beat in his hometown from 1980 until his retirement in 2022. Shes a huge Frank Sinatra fan, too. This was when I was on another morning show. Despite having helped to create one of the most successful morning shows in the U.S. however, Kathy abruptly left the duo in 2017. That helps Grayslake Central soccer. McGurren filed her EEOC complaint months later, in December 2020. Michael Jackson -- Like most people, I started listening to his music again after his sad death.