I actually feel like I'm friends with them as much as they are with me. After studying business in college, Tiffany embarked upon a career she never dreamed of. Fans arent sure what happened, where she went, and how things are going for her right now, and we are curious ourselves. Melissa & Austin. Her successor, Melissa McGurren, left without giving a reason in December 2020. Track is another story. McGurren ultimately left in 2020 and later posted an emotional video on Instagram saying, "The truth will come out." BONUS QUESTION! 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. DeNicolos defamation suit included a copy of a complaint McGurren filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in which McGurren detailed Fergusons demeaning behavior and called him a serial abuser of women. DeNicolo is also represented by Caruso. I know I worry too much about saying the wrong thing to people or hurting their feelings.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

5) CSNChicago.com:<\/strong> Name your Top 3 favorite songs\/artists that would NEVER be played on The Mix?<\/p>\n

McGurren:<\/strong> Ok, first up, give me some old Dixie Chicks and I'm pretty much in heaven. They introduce themselves when we're out and they attend our functions. Hes part of Melissas morning show. According to reports, the co-host had been fired by Hubbard Radio, the owner of The Mix station. They introduce themselves when we're out and they attend our functions. (Todd Rosenberg Photography). We talk about a lot of things non-sports related so I'm fine in that aspect. I want to do more than that. 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. Melissa McGurren After more. There are at least 11 that I would pick, but if I can only pick one Chelsea Handler. 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. I love Chicago and country music and Ive never been more confident in an opportunity or my team. A look back at the glory years of Eric and Kathy in the morning. From dance and food festivals to concerts and parades, Latino Chicagoans have much to look forward to this summer. The arbitration document states Ferguson also called her stupid and lazy. When she would complain to Ferguson, it alleges, he ignored McGurren and would do this by raising his hand in front of her face to shush her as Ferguson described this gesture or by yelling at McGurren that (in words or substance) she did not know what she was talking about.. And we are confident of our client's underlying claims against Hubbard and look forward to our hearing in arbitration.". Melissa was born at Bethesda Naval Hospital (Walter Reed Military) in Maryland to Lt. Cdr Michael Cashman 2nd and Constance Ann Schumacher. I love hosting them, I love the people that come and it's just "a good ol' time." "Melissa and Austin" debuted on WUSN Monday, May 10, running from 6am-9am. By the time summer rolled around, fans had begun to wonder whether or not she was let go. Plus -- I'm looking for a charity that I can really be involved in that deals with animals. I did a different show (for a short time). Likely in the capacity of on-air, but as long as there is growth with the Eric and Kathy Show, both on the air and in the studio, I'll be there. While she does not address the actual reason for her disappearance, she does make it clear that she and her family are all healthy and shes hopeful everyone stays that way. 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.. Hubbard Radio Chicago perpetuated the culture that made a toxic workplace possible. Although the shows needed some work (come on, she was only 8 years old), she decided to pursue a career in radio. Her successor, Melissa McGurren, left without giving a reason in December 2020. Details of McGurrens allegations emerged in an amended defamation lawsuit that another former WTMX employee, Cynthia DeNicolo, filed last week against the owner of the station, Hubbard Radio Chicago. At the age of 8, Melissa was already writing and creating radio shows on cassette tapes to play for her mom. Equal Employment Opportunity . Equal Employment and Opportunity Commission was an opinion and therefore did not constitute defamation. Understandably, the whole situation would have been stressful and frustrating for the former co-host. Radio Ink. 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. She claimed Hubbard falsely branded her as a liar in a staff memo after she reported Ferguson for abusive. At the age of 8, Melissa was already writing and creating radio shows on cassette tapes to play for her mom. Guzman again, disagreed, saying that the statement was an opinion based on its position rather than a statement of facts. As McGurrens claims began to generate media coverage earlier this month, Hubbard Radio sent a note to employees of The Mix stating the company had thoroughlyinvestigated this matter previously. McGurrens complaints were added to the suit as evidence that station management ignored Fergusons alleged behavior. (WTMX radio). McGurren claimed in her filing that the station's management protected Ferguson for years by allowing him to "perpetuate his misconduct that goes far beyond the limits of decency." The EEOC granted McGurren the right to sue, but as part of her employment agreement with Hubbard she had agreed to first try to settle disputes and claims through arbitration. There's no doubt you've attained a solid fan base over the years thanks in part to your great sense of humor and ability to put your male counterparts in their place if needed! ", EARLIER: 'Eric In The Morning' Host Coerced Sexual Favors: Ex-WTMX Staffer. Drew Walker, an 18-year veteran of US99 who most recently has been hosting mornings, returns to middays from 9 a.m. to noon. I went through a time of just wanting to have fun myself and so have my girlfriends. Also, I'd have to go with Foo Fighters -- I may not always be in the mood for them, but when I am look out! You can find a comprehensive archive of his material here. BIO: Moving to Chicago wasn't a far trip for Melissa McGurren, who grew up in Portage, Ind. 2) CSNChicago.com: Being a public figure as a radio personality naturally opens up your personal life to your listeners (i.e. Desde festivales de danza y gastronoma hasta conciertos y desfiles, los latinos de Chicago tienen mucho que esperar este verano. 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. I'm not looking to host events. With that, individuals began to speculate the reasoning behind her departure. In the end, it wasnt until a few months later that an official announcement was made. Born and raised in Chicago, Kathy spent the majority of her early life in Crystal Lake. The new love of her life is her son Porter, who was born in December 2010. She has not commented publicly about why she left. imgur. Study opportunity available! What were the circumstances surrounding her departure? She says what she wants, does what she wants, is very funny and I still think deep down she is a pretty nice lady. "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. At the time, she also said the statement put out by The Mix regarding her departure was "not accurate. In the end, it wasnt until a few months later that an official announcement was made. While she hasnt returned to WTMX-FM 101.9, she did go on to make a guest appearance on, From there, she would go on to co-host WTMXs. A radio personality, Kathy Hart gained fame as one-half of. Created by Melissa McGurren. Hugely successful, it had become one of Chicagos top-rated shows within just three years of its debut. I get why people love sports. 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. All kidding aside, who knows what path the future holds, but when something "feels right", I just go with it. Rick Springfield to perform at RiverEdge Park in Aurora as part of I Want My 80s tour, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. Ferguson has not otherwise responded to requests for comment. Free Professional Website Design & SEO for Veteran-Owned Businesses, Serve Your Community in a Uniformed Service. 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. Her agent was unavailable for comment. 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? In the four-page ruling dated March 1, Guzmn wrote: Taken in context, a reasonable reader would not understand the internal email by England to have been made for the purpose of causing harm to Plaintiffs reputation or lowering her standing in the community, but rather to acknowledge the existence of the EEOC claim, convey to the radio stations employees that the matter is being investigated, and indicate that the radio station does not agree with Plaintiffs interpretation. From there, individuals turned their attention to Steve Mandell, Kathys agent. Hes been around for a while, hes. 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. There are at least 11 that I would pick, but if I can only pick one Chelsea Handler. 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. Terms of her multiyear deal, negotiated by attorney Steve Mandell, were not disclosed. McGurren currently works as a host at the country station, US99. "I am confident that at the end of the day the courts will rule and the right outcome will prevail.. "With a twinkle in his eye, he stole my heart. Not long afterward, the program was renamed asEric in the Morning with Melissa & Whip. Thanks for reading! 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.. The UChicago Men's Soccer team has won the Div3 National Championship for the first time ever! Melissa McGurren, former morning co-host on WTMX 101.9-FM, worked at the Hubbard Radio Chicago station thats more popularly known as The Mix for more than two decades before leaving in 2020. I contend that Eric Ferguson is a serial abuser of women and that for many years, the management of The Mix has protected Ferguson in allowing him to continue in perpetrating his misconduct that goes far beyond the limits of decency despite ample notice from me and many of my co-workers that Fergusons behavior is unlawful, McGurren wrote in a December complaint to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The coercion was that if I did not do what Ferguson was commanding, I risked losing my job, McGurren wrote. According to the Chicago Tribune, which broke the story of the lawsuit, the "unwelcome sexual relationship" plagued the start of DeNicolo's career in radio and that she was fired 16 years after she stopped giving sexual favors. 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. At the age of 8, Melissa was already writing and creating radio shows on cassette tapes to play for her mom. the trials and tribulations of motherhood, relationships, etc.). "Eric & Kathy," dubbed the "most successful morning team in Chicago radio history," had been on the air since 1996 and were inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2016. I just subscribed to Racket News. Subscribe to Patch's new newsletter to be the first to know about open houses, new listings and more. McGurren left the station in 2020 and alleged in the lawsuit that the station was intending to injure her and jeopardize her new career. She is a huge fan of different genres of music that would never be played on her own station. I love my job, I love radio and I can't imagine not being on the air. Also, I'd have to go with Foo Fighters -- I may not always be in the mood for them, but when I am look out! (Todd Rosenberg Photography). We wish her the best., Eric Ferguson, from left, Melissa McGurren and Kathy Hart work on "Eric & Kathy" on Nov. 11, 2009. As the aforementioned primary sidekick to E & K, do you have any aspirations to one day soon have your own radio show? Regular news and features by award-winning author and investigative reporter. ", 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."