Studs Terkel

Three prominent Chicago journalists and the collective news operation of Univision Chicago WGBO-Channel 66 have been named recipients of Studs Terkel Awards for 2017, Public Narrative announced Thursday.

Individual winners of Community Media Awards are Cate Cahan, senior editor of projects and initiatives at Chicago Public Media WBEZ FM 91.5; Carlos Javier Ortiz, documentary filmmaker and photographer, and Steven M. Mills, criminal justice reporter for the Chicago Tribune. Continue reading →

Greg Solk

Greg Solk, the nationally acclaimed radio programmer who’s been the creative force behind The Drive, The Loop and other iconic brands, has been hired as operations manager and program director of adult album alternative WXRT FM 93.1 and classic hits WJMK FM 104.3, CBS Radio Chicago announced Thursday.

“I have been blessed in my career to work for some amazing stations in my hometown, but this opportunity is off the charts,” Solk said in a statement. “Everyone knows there is no station or staff anywhere in the world that can rival the 45-year heritage of WXRT — ‘Chicago's Finest Rock.’ I am humbled to be a part of its brilliant legacy. Continue reading →

Mike Adamle (Photo: NBC Chicago)

Mike Adamle’s football career brought him fame, glory and a disease that could cost him everything.

The 67-year-old Adamle, who played for the Chicago Bears and Northwestern Wildcats, has disclosed he's been diagnosed with dementia, the final stage of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disease doctors attribute to repeated concussions and other head injuries on the field. Doctors also say football likely caused the epilepsy he has fought for 19 years. Continue reading →

RedEye Chicago

No one would have been surprised if RedEye Chicago had closed forever. With the rise of mobile devices and social media, the Chicago Tribune’s grand experiment in publishing a free newspaper for young adult commuters had run its course.

Last Friday marked the final appearance of RedEye as a daily print tabloid after 15 years, bowing out with a 16-page edition just slightly larger than many of the 12-page issues being turned out lately. Continue reading →

Charles Thomas

Charles Thomas, the veteran broadcast journalist and ace political reporter, is retiring after more than 25 years at WLS-Channel 7, the ABC-owned station announced Thursday.

Following the February rating sweep, his last day at ABC 7 will be March 3. Thomas, 65, told colleagues his plans include launching a digital platform focusing on issues in the African-American community. Continue reading →

WBBM Newsradio

With the surprise merger of CBS Radio and Entercom announced Thursday, it’s a whole new day for the seven Chicago radio stations in the CBS portfolio.

Employees awoke to news of the $1.7 billion deal that will create a new company for all-news WBBM AM 780/WCFS FM 105.9; sports/talk WSCR AM 670; Top 40 WBBM FM 96.3; country WUSN FM 99.5; adult album alternative WXRT 93.1, and classic hits WJMK FM 104.3. Continue reading →

tronc

For a few days, the parent company of the Chicago Tribune told us everything we need to know about its contempt for reporters and cynicism about journalism.

This insight came in the form of a tweet on @troncCareers, the official job-recruiting Twitter account of tronc, the former Tribune Publishing Company now under the command of tech entrepreneur Michael Ferro. Continue reading →

Newcity

After three decades as a weekly and biweekly alternative newspaper covering Chicago arts and culture, Newcity is transforming into a monthly magazine.

The 31st anniversary issue to be published Wednesday will be the last of its kind on newsprint. Starting in March, Newcity 3.0 will return as a glossy monthly. Continue reading →

WGN Studios (Photo: Google Maps)

Tribune Media has sold the historic studios of WGN-Channel 9 and surrounding property to a Chicago real estate developer.

Sources said R2 Companies was expected to close Tuesday on the $22.2 million acquisition of the 132,000 square-foot building and 10-acre lot at 2501 West Bradley Place near Western Avenue and Addison Street in the North Center neighborhood. Continue reading →

Pat Hughes

Robservations on the media beat:

Chicago Cubs broadcaster Pat Hughes has been named winner of this year’s Ring Lardner Award for Excellence in Sports Journalism in the broadcast category. Also cited are sportswriter and author Dan Jenkins in the print category, and the late Joe Mooshil, an Associated Press sportswriter for 42 years, in the posthumous category. Named for the world famous sportswriter, humorist and satirist, the awards will be presented April 13 at Union League Club of Chicago, 65 West Jackson Boulevard. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Union League Boys & Girls Clubs. For tickets call (312) 765-0405 or see www.ulbgc.org. Continue reading →