"Melissa and Austin" debuted on WUSN Monday, May 10, running from 6am-9am. Its actually good for the game, Sox manager Pedro Grifol said. I love smooth jazz Christmas music. 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. She is a huge fan of different genres of music that would never be played on her own station. The arbitrator in McGurrens EEOC case ruled in Hubbards favor earlier this year. Melissa McGurren won't be a name you recognize unless you live in Chicago, but she's very famous in her own town. She reiterated that position in a demand for arbitration filed June 24, 2021. Amidst the continuing allegations, station management pulled Ferguson off the air, saying he will be sidelined through October. Representatives for Hubbard and Ferguson did not respond to requests for comment. 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. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission that alleged Ferguson had harassed her. She is a mother. 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. McGurren brought the $10 million claim in October in response to an email in which the company told staff it had "thoroughly . 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. 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. McGurren now hosts mornings on Audacy country station WUSN-FM 99.5. 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." Guzman denied a motion to reconsider the case in April and denied McGurrens motion to amend her complaint on June 30. She is very proud of the young man her son is becoming, she loves that he is funny and helpful and that he is thoughtful. Its an adjustment to have to talk about your life to so many people, but she loves that it allows her to connect to those around her. In a Facebook video posted earlier, McGurren told fans: "Im really sorry that I havent been there. 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. "I love Chicago and country music and I've never been more confident in an opportunity or my team. 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. 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. 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. CHICAGO - 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. 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. Shes been with WTMX 101.9 The Mix, for a long time, and suddenly shes gone. 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. Suffice it to say that we do not agree with Melissa's characterization of events.". Mom 1st. 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." Shes dating someone right now, and apparently, his name is Jim. The decision mirrors another federal judges earlier decision dismissing McGurrens defamation claim against Hubbard. In his ruling, Gomez cited the legal statute opinions that do not misstate facts are protected by the First Amendment and are non-actionable. 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. I love Chicago and country music and Ive never been more confident in an opportunity or my team. 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. 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. 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. Fans have been worried. In court filings, McGurren said Ferguson demeaned, harassed and ridiculed her when they worked together. Veteran Chicago radio personality Melissa McGurrens effort to revive her $10 million defamation suit against Hubbard Radio has ended. similar defamation lawsuit filed by Cynthia DeNicolo, Hubbard parted ways with the morning host. Tiffany and her husband are the proud parents of four children in her free time. We look forward to getting them under oath for questioning.. Eric Ferguson attends a Rosemont concert in 2015. Suffice it to say that we do not agree with Melissas characterization of events.. Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox each afternoon. 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." Sign the petition: action.bestfriends.org End Breed-Restrictive Insurance Practices in Illinois McGurren accused Hubbard of intending to injure her and jeopardize her new career. DeNicolos position is that the statements not only accuse her of on-the-job malfeasance but also prejudice her in her trade and profession. 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.. Klicken Sie auf Alle ablehnen, wenn Sie nicht mchten, dass wir und unsere Partner Cookies und personenbezogene Daten fr diese zustzlichen Zwecke verwenden. 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 duo will be heard on "Melissa and Austin," weekdays from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. CT, effective May 10. The court agrees with Hubbard that the statements have nothing to do with DeNicolos conduct on the job.. She is expected to be paid through the end of the year, when her contract expires. Guzman also provided McGurren with a window of time to amend her complaint and gave Hubbard 14 days to respond to her amended filing. "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. Radio Ink. McGurren spent most of . 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). 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. Bye bye., Ferguson, who was not involved in the negotiations between Mandell and Hubbard, said: "I was surprised and disappointed when I heard the news, but I think it's important to be supportive when someone chooses to do something new in their life.". Shes a radio host, and she has a huge fan base. We dont know Jim, though, because she keeps his face out of all of her Instagram photos. Her new role will make them direct competitors. She currently co-hosts mornings at Audacy crosstown country US99 WUSN. 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 January 2020, I resigned after I lined up another job.. It finished first among women between 35 and 64. Collectively, this roster will super serve Chicagos country music audience as the standalone country station in the market, Williamson said. Starting. Melissa McGurren Drops Attempt To Revive Her Defamation Case Against Hubbard. She's a radio host, and she has a huge fan base. 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.. Melissa McGurren co-hosted Eric Ferguson's morning show at WTMX-FM 101.9 before leaving the Chicago radio station in December 2020. Now, in her defamation suit, McGurren accuses Hubbard of intending to injure her and jeopardize her new career. 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. May 6, 2021. 13 talking about this. McGurren had argued that when the station owner made its statement, it knew that Ferguson was a serial abuser of women and that Hubbard knowingly published false information when it said it did not agree with her characterization of events. 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.