Zoraida Sambolin

When news broke last month that Zoraida Sambolin was returning to WMAQ-Channel 5 as morning news anchor, longtime viewers of “NBC 5 News Today” were overjoyed. “Too good to be true!” wrote one on this site. “Welcome back, Zoraida. You've been dearly missed,” wrote another. Many more agreed.

But perhaps no one was happier than Sambolin herself. After two years at CNN in New York (interrupted by a battle with breast cancer), the Chicago native was thrilled to be back home with family and reclaiming her old job at the station where she’d spent a decade. Continue reading →

Craig Ferguson

While WLS-Channel 7 is certain to keep “Windy City Live” on its weekday schedule at 11 a.m., and WCIU-Channel 26 will continue “You & Me This Morning” at 6 a.m., could there be another locally produced daytime talk show coming to Chicago television this fall?

WGN-Channel 9, which already airs 54 hours a week of live local news, is considering jumping into the daily talk show business, too. Continue reading →

Mark Elfstrand

Two prominent Christian radio talk hosts are trading places on competing Chicago stations.

Mark Elfstrand, who hosted mornings for nearly 15 years at Moody Radio WMBI FM 90.1 until he was forced out last November, is joining Salem Communications WYLL AM 1160. Starting May 20, he’ll be on from 4 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Continue reading →

Clark Weber and Ron Riley (1966)

Clark Weber and Ron Riley, two legendary personalities from the golden era of WLS AM 890 in the 1960s, will reunite for one night only to reminisce about the Beatles, the British Invasion and Top 40 radio.

The former rock ’n’ roll disc jockeys will appear together at a benefit June 24 for the Lotus Foundation, the nonprofit founded by Ringo Starr to support charitable social welfare projects. Sponsored by WLS FM 94.7, the event at Chicago's Hard Rock Cafe will be in conjunction with the Ringo Starr Art Show With a Little Help From His Friends. Continue reading →

Here’s a look at Chicago’s most popular afternoon stars, according to radio ratings released Monday for the period from March 27 to April 23.

Following are the top-rated shows as measured by Nielsen Audio among all listeners age 6 and older from 3 to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, followed by average share of audience. Continue reading →

Here’s a look at Chicago’s most popular midday stars, according to radio ratings released Monday for the period from March 27 to April 23.

Following are the top-rated shows as measured by Nielsen Audio among all listeners age 6 and older from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, followed by average share of audience. Continue reading →

Bob Collins

Ten past and present stars of WGN AM 720 will be honored next month when the Tribune Broadcasting news/talk station unveils “The WGN Radio Walk of Fame.”

In conjunction with WGN's 90th anniversary celebration, the Walk of Fame’s inaugural inductees will be Jack Brickhouse, Bob Collins, Roy Leonard, Judy Markey, Spike O’Dell, Kathy O’Malley, Wally Phillips, Milt Rosenberg, Quin Ryan and Orion Samuelson. Each will be recognized with a plaque outside the station’s Tribune Tower studios at 435 N. Michigan Avenue. Continue reading →

There’s a new morning line in Chicago, according to radio ratings released Monday for the period from March 27 to April 23.

Here’s a look at Chicago’s top 10 morning shows (as measured by Nielsen Audio among all listeners age 6 and older from 6 to 10 a.m. Monday through Friday), followed by average share of audience. Continue reading →

Jim Ruddle

Twenty-eight years after Jim Ruddle hoisted anchor and left local television news to sail the seas, he’s as happy as ever about the course he navigated.

Although Chicago lost an anchorman and commentator of exceptional intellect and gravitas, Ruddle found he had little tolerance for the trivialities of the business and little patience for bosses who chafed at the strong opinions he expressed. As always, he was ahead of his time. Continue reading →

Janet Hundley

Janet Hundley resigned Friday after more than 12 years as assistant news director at ABC-owned WLS-Channel 7 to become news director of WTMJ-TV, the NBC affiliate in Milwaukee.

“I am absolutely thrilled for Janet,” Jennifer Graves, vice president and news director of ABC 7, told staffers in a memo. “She’s wanted to run her own newsroom again for some time and she’s found a position that’s a great fit at a company with a long tradition of journalistic integrity and excellence.”

Hundley’s exit closely follows the resignation of Richard Maginn, executive producer of ABC 7’s 10 p.m. weekday newscast and a 19-year veteran of the station. Continue reading →