Obama protester busts into Jay Levine report

Jay Levine

Jay Levine

A live report by WBBM-Channel 2’s Jay Levine on President Obama’s fundraising visit to Chicago Wednesday was disrupted by a protester shouting: “Obama is a war criminal.”

Levine, chief correspondent for the CBS-owned station, had just begun his report from River North on the 5 p.m. newscast when an unidentified man lunged for his microphone. A second view of the incident was captured by WMAQ-Channel 5’s Mary Ann Ahern, who was reporting live for the NBC-owned station nearby. Continue reading

Still a ‘wonderful time’ for Linda Yu

Linda Yu

Linda Yu

Linda Yu, the Chicago television treasure whose amazing longevity is exceeded only by her popularity, marked her 30th anniversary at WLS-Channel 7 Wednesday by doing what she’s always done — anchoring a top-rated newscast on the ABC-owned station.

“It’s been a lucky, fascinating, learning, productive, wonderful time,” she told Facebook fans. “I’m grateful and humbled by your support all these years!” Continue reading

Under new management, WBEZ ‘needs to do better’

Goli Sheikholeslami

Goli Sheikholeslami

“Chicago” may be the company’s first name, but when it came to choosing a new chief executive officer, Chicago Public Media had no qualms about going out of town.

In naming Goli Sheikholeslami to oversee public radio WBEZ FM 91.5 and its related enterprises Tuesday, the board of Chicago Public Media chose a veteran of New York and Washington media suites with no prior connection to Chicago — and no experience in radio for that matter. Continue reading

Carlson moves up to full-time at NBC 5

Susan Carlson

Susan Carlson

Veteran Chicago newswoman Susan Carlson has been named a full-time reporter and fill-in news anchor at NBC-owned WMAQ-Channel 5.

Her promotion from part-time status, effective April 28, was confirmed Tuesday by Frank Whittaker, station manager and vice president of news at NBC 5.

“I’m extremely delighted that Susan will be joining us full-time,” Whittaker told me. “She’s a born and bred Chicagoan who knows our city and suburbs well. Her years of local reporting will be a great addition to our staff.” Continue reading

Chicago Public Media names new CEO

Goli Sheikholeslami

Goli Sheikholeslami

Goli Sheikholeslami, former head of the Washington Post’s digital division, has been named chief executive officer and president of Chicago Public Media, parent company of public radio WBEZ FM 91.5.

Her appointment, effective May 5, was announced Tuesday by Stephen Baird, board chairman of Chicago Public Media. It culminates a nationwide search that followed the forced resignation of Torey Malatia last July after two decades as a visionary and controversial leader. Continue reading