Robservations: Sun-Times hires Jennifer Kho as executive editor; Steve Warmbir steps down; WGN special examines healthcare system

Jennifer Kho

Robservations on the media beat:

Chicago Sun-Times

Jennifer Kho, a Los Angeles-based digital media consultant and former managing editor of HuffPost and Guardian US, was named executive editor of the Sun-Times Thursday. Chicago Public Media, which acquired the newspaper in January and switched it to nonprofit status, introduced Kho as “the first woman and first person of color to lead the Sun-Times’ newsroom in the paper’s 178-year history.” “I couldn't be more excited to join the historic Chicago Sun-Times at this pivotal moment, with its new public media ownership, to create a strong sense of connection and community throughout Chicago,” Kho said in a statement. “I’m determined to build on the paper’s incomparable legacy and make the most of this huge opportunity to create a new model of community-supported journalism as an inclusive, trusted source of cohesion, empathy and positive change.” Kho starts on the job next week and will move to Chicago in September, according to the Sun-Times report.

Steve Warmbir

Steve Warmbir, who served as interim editor-in-chief since 2020, confirmed he's leaving the Sun-Times after 22 years. "No one stays in the editor-in-chief job for too long," he wrote in an email to staff Thursday. "I plan to recharge this summer before tackling other opportunities. I welcome Jennifer Kho to the newsroom and wish her nothing but the very best. I will always be the biggest cheerleader for the Sun-Times — and now our new partner, WBEZ. My goal when I started this position was to leave the Sun-Times better off than I found it, and I’ve done that, in large part thanks to all of you. . . . I will always be in the Sun-Times’ corner, and no one will be rooting harder for you than me." Warmbir, who grew up in Chicago and west suburban Downers Grove, started his career at the Daily Herald. A first-rate journalist and solid professional, he joined the Sun-Times in 1999, culminating in his rise to award-winning investigative reporter, managing editor and interim editor-in-chief. Continue reading

Robservations: GOP candidates for governor to debate on ABC 7, Univision Chicago; Final forum to air on AM 560; Illinois Rock Hall of Fame to host induction

Alan Krashesky (Photo: ABC 7 Chicago)

Robservations on the media beat:

All six Republican candidates for governor of Illinois have agreed to participate in a one-hour debate Thursday hosted by ABC-owned WLS-Channel 7. Starting at 7 p.m., ABC 7 news anchor Alan Krashesky will moderate the forum among Darren Bailey, Richard Irvin, Gary Rabine, Paul Schimpf, Max Solomon and Jesse Sullivan. It will air live on ABC 7 Digital Channel 7.2 and stream on abc7chicago.com and the ABC 7 Chicago News app. ABC 7 will replay the debate on its main channel at 10:35 p.m. Friday. The appearance of all six candidates is a major improvement over the fiasco May 24 when NBC-owned WMAQ-Channel 5 and Nexstar Media WGN-Channel 9 held dual debates on the same night, splitting the field in half. Panelists Thursday will be ABC 7 political reporter Craig Wall and Univision Chicago news anchor Erika Maldonado. The debate also is sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Illinois and Univision Chicago.

AM 560

What's likely to be the final GOP debate before the June 28 primary will be hosted by Salem Media news/talk WIND 560-AM June 23 at the McAninch Arts Center at the College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn. Confirmed participants are Darren Bailey, Gary Rabine and Paul Schimpf. AM 560 news director Mike Scott will moderate the debate from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Panelists include AM 560 morning co-host Amy Jacobson and Illinois Radio Network's Greg Bishop. “As Chicago’s leading conservative media outlet, we look forward to providing a forum for the Republican candidates for governor to address our audience and make their closing arguments," said Marcus Brown, director of content strategy and program director. "We know that our listeners will be the ones that decide the outcome of this election, and we expect a spirited and informative exchange of ideas at our debate . . . just a few short days before the election.” Continue reading