Mick Dumke

Mick Dumke, the highly respected senior writer at the Chicago Reader, is about to be traded to the Sun-Times. Both publications are owned by Sun-Times Media parent company Wrapports LLC.

Starting later this month, Dumke will join the Sun-Times as a full-time investigative reporter, beefing up the paper’s award-winning Watchdog team of Tim Novak, Chris Fusco and Dan Mihalopoulos. Continue reading →

Dave McKinney

Dave McKinney, the veteran political reporter who left the Sun-Times last year in a blaze of headlines, is back in print.

In addition to several freelance stories published recently by the New York Times and Chicago magazine, McKinney has just written a major analysis of the Illinois pension crisis for Crain’s Chicago Business. Continue reading →

Eric Ferguson and Kathy Hart

They’re already the most successful morning team in Chicago radio history and winners of the industry's highest honors. Now Eric Ferguson and Kathy Hart have a chance to enter the National Radio Hall of Fame on the first ballot.

In their 20th year as stars of Hubbard Radio hot adult-contemporary WTMX FM 101.9, they’ve just been nominated for the first time by the Radio Hall of Fame steering committee. A copy of the ballot obtained Wednesday shows the duo competing in the Active Local/Regional category with broadcasters from Los Angeles, New Orleans and Philadelphia. Continue reading →

Dan Salamone

Dan Salamone, a former news director from Cleveland, has been named executive producer of “Good Day Chicago” on Fox-owned WFLD-Channel 32.

Starting August 17, he’ll oversee the perennially low-rated newscast, which airs from 4:30 to 10 a.m. Monday through Friday. The show’s current anchors are Corey McPherrin, Darlene Hill, Jon Kelley and Melody Mendez. Continue reading →

Cindy Patrasso

Cindy Patrasso, the longtime Chicago television executive who co-created “Windy City Live,” has resigned after almost five years as supervising producer of the talk-and-entertainment show on ABC-owned WLS-Channel 7.

"Cindy Patrasso contributed greatly to the success of ‘Windy City Live,’” an ABC 7 spokeswoman said in a statement Tuesday. “We thank her for her efforts and wish her nothing but the best.” Patrasso declined to comment on her departure. Continue reading →

Ben Ponzio

Ben Ponzio resigned Tuesday as general sales manager of CBS Radio Top 40 WBBM FM 96.3 to pursue a full-time career as a professional poker player.

“It’s been a lifelong dream that I never thought I’d be able to do,” said Ponzio, 40, who’s been playing as a hobby since he was 10. “Now I have the opportunity to make it happen, and I'm excited about it.” Continue reading →

Candice Agree

Candice Agree, who has brought “warm personality and sophisticated musical sensibility” to weekend mornings at classical WFMT FM 98.7, is moving up to weekday afternoons.

Starting in early September, she’ll be heard from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, the Window to the World Communications fine arts station announced Tuesday. Continue reading →

Alex Maragos

Alex Maragos, a rookie reporter and news anchor from West Lafayette, Indiana, is coming home to Chicago to join NBC-owned WMAQ-Channel 5.

Frank Whittaker, station manager and vice president of news at NBC 5, announced Tuesday that Maragos has been hired as a general assignment reporter, starting August 11. “We’re excited to bring Alex back to his home town,” Whittaker said in a statement. “His experience in Chicago and his passion for breaking news will be a great addition to our news team.” Continue reading →

Jeffrey T. Mason

More than four years after CBS Radio relaunched WJMK FM 104.3 as K-Hits, the classic hits outlet is finally hitting it big.

In Nielsen Audio ratings released Monday, the station surged into the top five with its best performance to date. But some critics said there was a catch. Continue reading →

Norm Pattiz and Ginny Morris

Hubbard Radio, owner of three blue chip stations in Chicago, is staking a major claim in the podcast business.

The Minnesota-based company announced Monday that it has acquired a 30 percent interest in PodcastOne, the nation’s largest advertiser-supported podcast network. Among more than 200 programs on the network are shows hosted by Adam Carolla, Shaquille O’Neal, Dan Patrick, Penn Jillette, Laura Ingraham, Larry King and Dr. Drew Pinsky. Continue reading →