Robservations: Jennifer Roberts leaves afternoons on The Mix

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Kevin “Koz” Koske and Jennifer Roberts

Robservations on the media beat:

Kevin “Koz” Koske will be flying solo for the time being as afternoon personality on Hubbard Radio hot adult-contemporary WTMX 101.9-FM. That's because co-host Jennifer Roberts signed off last week to accept a new job in corporate communications. “A lot of people get prematurely put ‘on the beach’ in this business and I’m thrilled that I’m making my exit completely on my terms,” she tweeted. “There was no threat on the horizon, just a calling in my soul for something better.” Roberts, whose real name is Jennifer Ashrafi, joined The Mix as an intern in 2004 and moved up to afternoon traffic reporter and co-host in 2008. Jimmy Steal, vice president of brand and content at The Mix, said a search is on for her successor.

Shae Peppler

Shae Peppler is calling it quits after two years as sports reporter and weekend sports anchor at Fox-owned WFLD-Channel 32. She's also leaving as a contributor to David Kaplan's midday show on Good Karma Brands sports/talk WMVP 1000-AM. Following Super Bowl LIV Peppler will move to Connecticut to join her husband, ESPN sports anchor Jordan Cornette. "Chicago is, and always will be, my home," she tweeted. "This is bittersweet for me because I know this next chapter will be even better than the one before." Fox 32 has posted an opening for her job.

Daily Herald Media Group

If you believe in the vital importance of community journalism, the Daily Herald is asking for your help. Editor John Lampinen announced the launch Monday of the 2020 Report for the Suburbs Campaign, a yearlong fund drive to add three reporters to the staff through a program coordinated with Report for America. (Here is the link.) "These additions will greatly help us better cover the suburbs," Lampinen said. "They will beef up local coverage following the historic challenges the newspaper industry has confronted for the last decade." Report For America will provide half of the funding for three reporters and another for Paddock Publications' Southern Illinois operation. Donations are tax deductible.

Monday's comment of the day: Jeff Borden: One of the joys of baseball on the radio is how it can be enjoyed while doing something else, i.e., yard work, car washing, grilling out, etc. And in Pat Hughes and Ron Coomer, fans have two of the best in the broadcast business calling Cubs games. We'll be all right regardless of how Marquee turns out.