Robservations: Tom Skilling delivers sunny post-op forecast

Tom Skilling (Photo: Bill Snyder)

Robservations on the media beat:

Legendary meteorologist Tom Skilling came through gastric bypass surgery Wednesday with a sunny outlook and a smile. He released a photo of himself on social media with a message from Bill Snyder, weather producer for Nexstar Media Group WGN-Channel 9: “Happy to report that our very own Tom Skilling is doing well, and resting following successful gastric bypass surgery earlier today. The doctor had to repair a small hernia that he found when they went in, leading to a longer than normal procedure. But Tom is resting and in good spirits!” Skilling, 68, who underwent the operation to lose weight, told WGN: “Thank you for all the wishes. It got me through this procedure. It’s the first step but what a step! I can’t wait to tell you about it as the process continues.”

Tanja Babich, Judy Hsu, Cheryl Burton, Karen Jordan and Stacey Baca

Five news anchors from ABC-owned WLS-Channel 7 posed for this photo Wednesday to promote their Women's History Month special, "2020 Visionaries: Celebrating Chicago Women," airing at 6:30 p.m. on March 21. Produced by ABC 7's Matt Knutson, the special features Tanja Babich, Judy Hsu, Cheryl Burton, Karen Jordan and Stacey Baca profiling women making significant contributions to the community. They include Priscilla Steinmetz, founder of Bridge Teen Center, Victoria M. Ng, founder of Miss Chinese Chicago, Kathleen Zellner, the attorney who rights wrongful convictions, and Neli Vazquez Rowland, co-founder of A Safe Haven Foundations.

Cisco Cotto

Cisco Cotto, midday news anchor for Entercom all-news WBBM 780-AM/WCFS 105.9-FM and host of the "Noon Business Hour," has launched "WBBM In Depth," a weekly podcast focusing on trending news stories and their impact on the business world. It also features longer interviews with contributors and experts. WBBM Newsradio's two other business podcasts are uploads of the "Noon Business Hour" and "After The Bell" conversation with market experts hosted by business coordinator Andy Giersher. Wednesday also marked the first anniversary of "Crain's Daily Gist," the daily business news podcast hosted by Amy Guth for Crain's Chicago Business.

Esther J. Cepeda

Esther Cepeda, the Chicago syndicated columnist, turns up with Oprah Winfrey on  "Oprah’s Book Club" on Apple TV+ for a discussion of American Dirt, the controversial migrant novel by Jeanine Cummins. The two-part episode begins streaming Friday. At one point, Cepeda confronts Winfrey, asking the host about the backlash she received from promoting the book: “Oprah, was this a wake up call for you?” Cepeda later wrote on Facebook: "Glad the editors didn't leave all of my outspoken comments on the cutting room floor."

Wednesday's comment of the day: Charles Edward: I have watched WGN news since the days of Carl Greyson. Through the decades there has never been a reporter/anchor with a delivery and on-air presentation as affected, smug and seemingly insincere as that of Tom Negovan. Of course I wish him well in his career. However I for one am glad he will continue that career outside the Chicago media market.