Robservations: NBC 5 hires reporter Vi Nguyen from CBS 2

Vi Nguyen

Robservations on the media beat:

Vi Nguyen, who’s been a per diem reporter for CBS-owned WBBM-Channel 2 since 2018, has been hired full-time as a multimedia journalist and general assignment reporter for NBC-owned WMAQ-Channel 5. She’ll start October 26, according to Frank Whittaker, station manager and vice president of news at NBC 5. The crosstown move was negotiated by agent Mort Meisner. Before joining CBS 2, Nguyen was a reporter and multimedia journalist for WISH, the CW affiliate in Indianapolis. Earlier she worked for stations in Oklahoma City; Wichita, Kansas; and Rockford. The Southern California native, who graduated from Joliet West High School and DePaul University, began as an intern at ABC-owned WLS-Channel 7 and the former Tribune Broadcasting WGN-Channel 9.

Candace Jordan

The incomparable Candace Jordan, whose weekly "Candid Candace" social column in the Chicago Tribune provided invaluable support to countless Chicago charities and other worthy causes, has been dropped after 11 years. "I'm sad the nonprofit community won't have a voice there anymore," she told Facebook friends. "Thanks to all my readers who followed me there." Jordan vowed to continue to cover the society beat on her lively blog at CandidCandace.com, where she said "my love for Chicago will always shine through." A spokesman for Chicago Tribune Media Group did not respond to an inquiry on the cutback.

Bob Epstein

Bob Epstein, who was executive producer of MSNBC at its inception in 1996 and went on to become senior broadcast producer and vice president of NBC News specials (in addition to serving as executive producer of "NBC Nightly News"), has accepted a buyout and will be leaving the peacock network at the end of the year. The University of Illinois graduate got his start at campus radio station WPGU and worked as a news writer for WGN Radio and TV, news anchor and reporter for the former WMAQ/WNIS Radio, and news writer, producer and executive producer for CBS 2. "All through this time I’ve had the joy and privilege of working side by side with some of the most talented and accomplished professionals in television news," he told friends.

VON-tv

Marking the 25th anniversary of the historic Million Man March on Washington, D.C., VON-tv will rebroadcast the event in its entirety Friday. The new free digital streaming platform of Midway Broadcasting news/talk WVON 1690-AM credits Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan with securing the broadcast rights. “The opportunity to rebroadcast one of the most important rallies in the history of America is no small feat," said supervising producer Tracey Scruggs. "We are privileged that the Nation of Islam provided this exclusive opportunity to us during our first month of launching VON-tv.”

Wednesday’s comment of the day: Gary Vanicek: Marquee Sports Network was a disappointment during its premiere season. Maybe it’s because it was a short baseball season. Now they’re trying Bears coverage. I’ll pass until they get better at covering their core sport.