It's not clear how they're supposed to do it, but Tribune Co. executives have been ordered to come up with $100 million in budget cuts, sources said, as the company prepares to spin off the publishing side of the business.

In a meeting with vice presidents of publishing units at Tribune Tower Wednesday, Tribune Co. CEO Peter Liguori directed them to begin drawing up plans immediately to hit the $100 million mark in savings. The cuts will start to be put into effect Dec. 1, sources said, and are expected to affect all areas of operation, including the newsrooms. Continue reading →

It doesn't take a team of researchers to tell you that radio has gotten worse. You already know that.

But two independent studies released this week confirmed that listeners aren't as happy as they used to be with what they're hearing on AM and FM. Continue reading →

Ron Magers

WLS-Channel 7's coverage of the life, death and legacy of legendary film critic Roger Ebert has been nominated for a Chicago Emmy Award.

The ABC-owned station's extensive reporting on the night of Ebert's death April 4 was one of eight finalists in the spot news category announced Tuesday by the Chicago/Midwest chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. Continue reading →

Steve Farber

After one year as acting general manager of WGN-Channel 9, Steve Farber is moving back to a corporate job with Tribune Broadcasting. And the search for a new boss of "Chicago's Very Own" goes on.

Larry Wert, president of Tribune Broadcast Media, announced Wednesday that he has appointed Farber senior vice president/operations, overseeing the company's digital networks, Antenna TV and THIS-TV, and "The Bill Cunningham Show" in syndication. Before he was named acting general manager of WGN in September 2012, Farber had been vice president of programming operations for Tribune Broadcasting. Continue reading →

After 16 years with Chicago magazine, chief dining critic and resident humor columnist Jeff Ruby is stepping down from his full-time staff position. But he'll continue to serve as the magazine's main man on the eat beat.

Ruby said Tuesday he made the decision to leave the staff of the Tribune Co.-owned monthly "after years of soul-searching." His last day will be Oct. 10. Continue reading →

Jim Williams

On behalf of the "bald community," as Larry David would say, let me officially welcome Jim Williams.

The veteran news anchor and reporter at WBBM-Channel 2 returned from vacation sporting a surprising new look on the weekend newscasts he anchors with Mai Martinez. He'd shaved his head bald. Continue reading →

Kenny McReynolds

Thirty-five years as a sportscaster in Chicago have taught Kenny McReynolds a thing or two about overcoming obstacles on and off the field. They're valuable lessons as he faces serious health issues of his own.

McReynolds, veteran sports director and host of a weekly talk show for Weigel Broadcasting, has been on the disabled list since May. Last weekend, he missed the first season opener of Chicago high school football in nearly 15 years on the sports beat for Weigel's stations. Continue reading →

Steve Cochran

When Steve Cochran was unceremoniously dumped after 10 years at WGN AM 720 in 2010, he made no secret of his contempt for the station's Tribune Co. bosses, calling them "the worst kind of management" and lambasting them by name.

After that, the chances of Cochran ever being allowed to set foot in Tribune Tower again — much less work for the news/talk station he labeled a disaster — were pretty close to zero.

Fast forward to today and Cochran, 52, is not only happily ensconced as WGN's morning personality, but he's a major figure in the management team that's remaking the station from top to bottom. "Imagine the money you could have made if Vegas had taken bets on that," the Chicago radio veteran told me Sunday. Continue reading →

It seems that I mixed up Sherry Williams, a weekend news anchor from Houston, with Sharrie Williams, a weekend news anchor from Dallas. Continue reading →

Eric Ferguson and Kathy Hart

Eric Ferguson and Kathy Hart, the most successful morning team in Chicago radio history, just took home their industry's highest honor.

The top-rated stars of hot adult-contemporary WTMX FM 101.9 were named Major Market Personalities of the Year in the 2013 Marconi Radio Awards. Both were on hand to receive the award Thursday at the National Association of Broadcasters' Radio Show in Orlando. Continue reading →