Tahman Bradley promises ‘A+ effort’ as WGN weekend anchor

Tahman Bradley and Jackie Bange

Tahman Bradley and Jackie Bange

Tahman Bradley, who joined WGN-Channel 9 as a general assignment reporter last year, was promoted Friday to weekend news anchor and political reporter at the Tribune Broadcasting station.

As anchor at 5 and 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday alongside Jackie Bange, he succeeds Robert Jordan, who retired in September after 43 years at the station. The role of political reporter is new. The appointment is effective immediately.

“I promise an A+ effort in this new position,” Bradley told friends on Facebook. “Drop whatever it is you want and trust God. Watch us. WGN. Channel 9.”

Bradley signed on as a freelance reporter at WGN in July 2015 and moved up to full-time status last February. A Chicago native and graduate of Rich Central High School and Howard University, he previously worked as a Washington-based political reporter/producer for ABC News and a reporter for ABC NewsOne, the network’s affiliate news service.

“Tahman is one of Chicago’s Very Own, with a national news background,” Jennifer Lyons, news director of WGN, said in a statement Friday. “His depth and breadth of journalism, paired with his experience in Washington make him the ideal candidate to be our weekend news anchor and WGN News political reporter.”

Ben Bradley

Ben Bradley

Bradley is no relation to Ben Bradley, the former reporter and weekend news anchor at ABC-owned WLS-Channel 7, who is rumored to be joining WGN early next year. If Ben Bradley lands a weekday anchor position, as insiders expect, that would result in two anchors named Bradley on staff at 2501 West Bradley Place.

Ben Bradley declined to comment on his plans.

Here is the text of the memo from Lyons to staff:

All

I’m happy to let you know that Tahman Bradley has been promoted to weekend anchor.  Since joining WGN-TV in July of 2015, Tahman has proven to be an invaluable member of our news team.

Beyond weekend anchoring, Tahman will also take over the political reporting beat for WGN-TV. 

Chicago politics, as well as national, are extremely important and Tahman will take on that role in the newsroom.

Tahman is one of Chicago’s Very Own, with a national news background, his depth and breadth of journalism, paired with his experience in Washington make him the ideal candidate to be our weekend news anchor and WGN News political reporter.

Please join me in congratulating Tahman.

Jennifer