Cindy Patrasso

Cindy Patrasso, the longtime Chicago television executive who co-created “Windy City Live,” has resigned after almost five years as supervising producer of the talk-and-entertainment show on ABC-owned WLS-Channel 7.

"Cindy Patrasso contributed greatly to the success of ‘Windy City Live,’” an ABC 7 spokeswoman said in a statement Tuesday. “We thank her for her efforts and wish her nothing but the best.” Patrasso declined to comment on her departure. Continue reading →

Ben Ponzio

Ben Ponzio resigned Tuesday as general sales manager of CBS Radio Top 40 WBBM FM 96.3 to pursue a full-time career as a professional poker player.

“It’s been a lifelong dream that I never thought I’d be able to do,” said Ponzio, 40, who’s been playing as a hobby since he was 10. “Now I have the opportunity to make it happen, and I'm excited about it.” Continue reading →

Candice Agree

Candice Agree, who has brought “warm personality and sophisticated musical sensibility” to weekend mornings at classical WFMT FM 98.7, is moving up to weekday afternoons.

Starting in early September, she’ll be heard from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, the Window to the World Communications fine arts station announced Tuesday. Continue reading →

Alex Maragos

Alex Maragos, a rookie reporter and news anchor from West Lafayette, Indiana, is coming home to Chicago to join NBC-owned WMAQ-Channel 5.

Frank Whittaker, station manager and vice president of news at NBC 5, announced Tuesday that Maragos has been hired as a general assignment reporter, starting August 11. “We’re excited to bring Alex back to his home town,” Whittaker said in a statement. “His experience in Chicago and his passion for breaking news will be a great addition to our news team.” Continue reading →

Jeffrey T. Mason

More than four years after CBS Radio relaunched WJMK FM 104.3 as K-Hits, the classic hits outlet is finally hitting it big.

In Nielsen Audio ratings released Monday, the station surged into the top five with its best performance to date. But some critics said there was a catch. Continue reading →

Norm Pattiz and Ginny Morris

Hubbard Radio, owner of three blue chip stations in Chicago, is staking a major claim in the podcast business.

The Minnesota-based company announced Monday that it has acquired a 30 percent interest in PodcastOne, the nation’s largest advertiser-supported podcast network. Among more than 200 programs on the network are shows hosted by Adam Carolla, Shaquille O’Neal, Dan Patrick, Penn Jillette, Laura Ingraham, Larry King and Dr. Drew Pinsky. Continue reading →

Jack Diamond

Jack Diamond bid farewell to Chicago Friday, closing out an effort as morning personality at WLS FM 94.7 that never gained traction.

On vacation from the Cumulus Media classic hits station since July 24, Diamond confirmed he won’t be coming back. Sources said the company chose to sever ties. Continue reading →

Audrina Bigos

Audrina Bigos, a reporter and weekend news anchor from Charlotte, North Carolina, is joining CBS-owned WBBM-Channel 2 as a general assignment reporter, starting August 24.

Since 2011 Bigos has been at WCCB-TV, the CW affiliate in Charlotte. A 2010 graduate of the University of South Florida, she previously worked at WUSF-TV, the PBS station in Tampa. Continue reading →

Cheryl Burton, Ron Magers and Kathy Brock

Longtime market leader ABC-owned WLS-Channel 7 was back on top of the late-news ratings in July after NBC-owned WMAQ-Channel 5 won the key adult demographics by a slender margin in May.

Nielsen numbers obtained through independent sources Thursday initially showed ABC 7 ahead at 5, 6 and 10 p.m. weekdays in overall households and among viewers between 25 and 54 — the prized demo for advertisers. Figures later provided by NBC 5, however, showed the 10 p.m. race was a tie for first place in the adult demo. Continue reading →

Marc Silverman and Tom Waddle

Tom Waddle and Marc Silverman better rest up now. By the end of next month they’ll be working overtime.

In addition to their local sports/talk show from 2 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday on ESPN Radio WMVP AM 1000, “Waddle & Silvy” will be going national on the ESPN Radio network from 9 a.m. to noon the week of August 24. Continue reading →