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. 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. We look forward to getting them under oath for questioning.. 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.". 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. Shes dating someone right now, and apparently, his name is Jim. Melissa McGurren will co-host a new morning show on country station WUSN-FM 99.5 starting Monday. DeNicolo was laid off from the station in May 2020 after a nearly 20-year career. oh and REINVENTION. A statement released by the company alludes to a contract extension offer it says McGurren turned down, but it provided no other details. Melissa McGurren, who was a mainstay of Hubbard Radio hot adult-contemporary WTMX 101.9-FM for 22 years, has been hired by Audacy country WUSN 99.5-FM to lead a new morning show. Report: Chicago Radio Host Melissa McGurren Sues WTMX In his ruling, Gomez cited the legal statute opinions that do not misstate facts are protected by the First Amendment and are non-actionable. The accusations of sexual harassment and abuse of power levied against Eric Ferguson continue to pile up as a fourth accuser has come forward, while the station he hosts mornings at, Hubbard hot AC 101.9 The Mix WTMX Chicago, is hit with a $10 million lawsuit from a former co-host of Fergusons. But two weeks later, McGurrens lawyer filed a motion for voluntary dismissal of the appeal. 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. By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our. 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. our stories straight," and advised her to "stay silent and to deny any allegations by other women that Ferguson had engaged in inappropriate behavior," according to the lawsuit. DeNicolos position is that the statements not only accuse her of on-the-job malfeasance but also prejudice her in her trade and profession. 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. Former Eric Ferguson co-host Melissa McGurren breaks silence, alleges View the profiles of people named Melissa McGurren. McGurren was one of three female former station employees to raise allegations about Ferguson in court filings after DeNicolo filed her lawsuits. She's a radio host, and she has a huge fan base. McGurren, who claimed the company defamed her when it responded to her harassment charges against former Mix co-host Eric Ferguson, filed an amended appeal July 29 in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh District. After studying business in college, Tiffany embarked upon a career she never dreamed of. 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. Melissa McGurren co-hosted Eric Ferguson's morning show at WTMX-FM 101.9 before leaving the Chicago radio station in December 2020. But the remarks in Englands note, which soon after appeared in the press, did not rise to the level of defamation under Illinois state law, according to an order issued Tuesday by U.S. District Judge Ronald Guzman dismissing the case. She did promise her followers back in October that she would reveal him sooner or later, but shes yet to do so. Overall the station ranked 13th with a 2.6 share and weekly cume of 710,900. 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.. 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.. Melissa McGurren (@melissamcgurren) Instagram photos and videos Shes a radio host, and she has a huge fan base. "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. Second woman alleges inappropriate behavior by Eric Ferguson of The Mix Melissa McGurren Profiles | Facebook Eric in the Morning is expected to continue with current contributors Violeta Podrumedic and Brian Whip Paruch and producer John Swany Swanson. Mom 1st. 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. 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 . I love smooth jazz Christmas music. McGurren accused Hubbard of intending to injure her and jeopardize her new career. McGurren first made her accusations in a complaint to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, shortly after leaving the station in December 2020. Suffice it to say that we do not agree with Melissas characterization of events.. McGurren currently works as a host at the country station, US99. 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. Radio host sells Hinsdale home for less than he paid - Crain's Chicago I wish I could fully express my gratitude and happiness about joining the US99 team, McGurren said in a statement. She became a stay-at-home mom and writer with her own blog. The judge also found that Hubbard did not cross the line because its statement expressed an opinion regarding McGurrens claim to the EEOC. She's been with WTMX 101.9 The. At least four women have accused Ferguson of misconduct, which led the host of "Eric In the Morning" to leave the station last October. Melissa McGurren, 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 101.9-FM, Robert Feder writes. Feder: US99 hires Melissa McGurren to host mornings - Daily Herald I know this is exactly where Im supposed to be, and I couldnt be happier to make this new move in my career.. 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. She described him as a serial abuser of women and said management failed to respond and then forced her out when she demanded that the alleged harassment stop. Guzman again, disagreed, saying that the statement was an opinion based on its position rather than a statement of facts. It's hard to choose, they all sound so great. She loves that they listen to her, that they reach out to her, and that they want to connect with her through their own stories. Radio Ink. She released a video to her own Facebook account that says shes sorry for her absence and that shes all right. Bei der Nutzung unserer Websites und Apps verwenden wir, unsere Websites und Apps fr Sie bereitzustellen, Nutzer zu authentifizieren, Sicherheitsmanahmen anzuwenden und Spam und Missbrauch zu verhindern, und, Ihre Nutzung unserer Websites und Apps zu messen, personalisierte Werbung und Inhalte auf der Grundlage von Interessenprofilen anzuzeigen, die Effektivitt von personalisierten Anzeigen und Inhalten zu messen, sowie, unsere Produkte und Dienstleistungen zu entwickeln und zu verbessern. Such complaints are confidential, but her allegations later became public in a court filing that was part of DeNicolos defamation lawsuit. Being part of a morning show means shes sharing so much of her life with the people who listen. All four women alleged management protected him because of his shows high ratings. McGurren, who worked for the WTMX-FM for 22 years, alleged in the suit that the station defamed her in choosing not to side with her in her complaints of sexual harassment by Ferguson. By. One Month In, WUSN Chicago's New Morning Team Is Making Itself At Home. "We're incredibly excited to be growing . In many ways, McGurren's departure was a replay of the drama that unfolded in 2017 when Kathy Hart severed ties with the station after 21 years as Ferguson's co-host. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Radio news and headlines delivered right to your e-mail box -- and it's free. Former Eric Ferguson co-host Melissa McGurren breaks silence, alleges 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. Former WTMX radio host Melissa McGurren's defamation lawsuit dismissed 10 Things You Didnt Know about The Sticklers, Luann de Lesseps Accuses Russell Simmons of Groping Her, 10 Things You Didnt Know about Mariana Jasel, 10 Things You Didnt Know About Leo Sheng, 10 Things You Didnt Know about Lele Pons, Being a Movie Superhero Doesnt Always Mean Your Kids Will Like It, 10 Things You Didnt Know about Rila Fukushima, 10 Things You Didnt Know about Asya Branch, 10 Things You Didnt Know about Tricia Ana, Guy Builds Insane Star Trek Man Cave Theater, This Clever Never-Ending LEGO Climber Automaton.