The Chicagoan

Robservations on the media beat:

Yet another magazine called The Chicagoan is about to debut. Billed as offering “insight, color and commentary on news topics and cultural issues important to the residents of America's greatest city,” the latest version will be published by 22nd Century Media, the hyperlocal suburban newspaper outfit founded by Jack Ryan, former Republican candidate for U.S. Senate. Set to launch in November, it will appear eight times in the coming year before going monthly. The 60,000-circulation magazine will be distributed within the company’s seven North Shore weeklies and at locations in Chicago and Evanston. Continue reading →

Matt Doran

Billed as the first crime show in daytime syndication, “Crime Watch Daily” will air weekday afternoons this fall on Tribune Media WGN-Channel 9.

The Los Angeles-based hourlong show, which will draw on resources and reporters from local newsrooms across the country, will air at 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, starting September 14. On WGN it will replace the second of two daily airings of “Maury,” the vile paternity-test talk show hosted by Maury Povich, which will continue to air at 1 p.m. Continue reading →

Joel Meyer

Joel Meyer, managing producer of Slate podcasts, has been hired as executive producer of talk programming at Chicago Public Media WBEZ FM 91.5, starting September 14.

“Joel is a seasoned maker of radio and shows with broad experience,” Ben Calhoun, director of content and programming at Chicago Public Media, said in a memo to staff Friday. Continue reading →

Mike North

Veteran sports talk show personality Mike North will host a Chicago Bears postgame show this fall on WDRV FM 97.1, the Hubbard Radio classic hits station announced Friday.

Starting September 13, North will host “The Mike North Sunday Drive,” a three-hour live talk show after every Bears game. Throughout the season he’ll also call in on Fridays and Mondays to Pete McMurray and Dan McNeil’s morning show on The Drive. Continue reading →

Harry Volkman

Over a legendary television career spanning more than 50 years and four Chicago stations, Harry Volkman was a popular, trusted and respected weather forecaster who brought wisdom, warmth and wit to the science of meteorology.

He also made history: In 1952 he was the first weatherman to issue a “tornado alert” during a live broadcast, prompting a change of government policy and saving many lives. Continue reading →

Olin Kreutz

Former Chicago Bears Olin Kreutz and James “Big Cat” Williams will co-host a new Bears postgame show this season on WSCR AM 670, the CBS Radio sports/talk station announced Wednesday.

Starting September 13, they’ll be joined at locations around the city and suburbs for two hours after each game by Hub Arkush, the Score’s resident football expert. Continue reading →

"NBC 5 News Today"

NBC-owned WMAQ-Channel 5 is moving up the start of its weekday morning newscast to 4 a.m., with Zoraida Sambolin anchoring the additional half-hour solo.

Effective Monday, the 30-minute expansion of “NBC 5 News Today” will match the start time of "WGN Morning News" on Tribune Media WGN-Channel 9 and give NBC 5 a jump on its three other rivals. Continue reading →

Josh Marconi

After years of cutting corners with disembodied voice-tracking, alternative rocker WKQX FM 101.1 is going live and local at night.

Josh Marconi, a veteran of three radio stations in Portland, Oregon, has been hired by the Cumulus Media station to host from 7 p.m. to midnight Monday through Friday, starting September 8. He'll also work a Saturday shift. Continue reading →

Mark Suppelsa, Dan Roan, Tom Skilling and Micah Materre

Long Chicago’s television news leader at 9 p.m., WGN-Channel 9 will expand its late news to 10 p.m. this fall, the Tribune Media station announced Tuesday.

Starting October 5, WGN will add a 30-minute newscast at 10 p.m., to be anchored by the 9 p.m. team of Mark Suppelsa, Micah Materre, meteorologist Tom Skilling and sportscaster Dan Roan. Continue reading →

Paul Meincke

We’ll soon be seeing a lot less of Paul Meincke, the WLS-Channel 7 reporter widely respected and admired as one of Chicago television’s all-time best.

After 30 years at the ABC-owned station, Meincke is retiring from the day-to-day grind. Under an agreement expected to be signed this week, he’ll deliver occasional reports for ABC 7 on stories that interest him. Continue reading →