Carol Marin

Robservations on the media beat:

An Off-Broadway play inspired by legendary Chicago journalist Carol Marin’s interviews with a former Death Row inmate is getting rave reviews in New York. "Natural Life,” written by Eduardo Ivan Lopez, recounts how the reporter (renamed Rita Hathaway) brought to light the shocking abuse suffered by Guinevere Garcia (renamed Claire McGreely) before she murdered her husband and daughter. Marin’s stories prompted Governor Jim Edgar to commute Garcia’s death sentence hours before her scheduled execution in January 1996. “I think they honored Guin’s truth,” Marin said of the play, which she saw earlier this month. “They raise truly serious questions, because there are so many people in prison — men and women — who have been sexually abused by family members and whose lives are utterly warped as a result.” Added Marin: “It certainly is strange to sit in an audience and watch someone play you onstage.” Continue reading →

WBBM Newsradio

A giant “for sale” sign just went up on Chicago’s richest radio group.

The announcement Tuesday by CBS Chairman and CEO Leslie Moonves that the company plans to sell its CBS Radio division suddenly puts seven of Chicago’s blue-chip stations — including top-rated all-news combo WBBM AM 780 and WCFS FM 105.9 — up for grabs.  Continue reading →

Felicia Middlebrooks and Pat Cassidy

Was it “traffic and weather together on the eights” that did it? Or an especially busy month for news of politics and crime?

Either way, the CBS Radio all-news combo of WBBM AM 780 and WCFS FM 105.9 again was Chicago's most popular station, according to the Nielsen Audio survey released Monday. The anchor duo of Felicia Middlebrooks and Pat Cassidy won morning drive, while Kris Kridel and Keith Johnson topped afternoon drive in the period from January 28 to February 24. Continue reading →

Kathy Chaney

Multimedia Chicago journalist Kathy Chaney, most recently a producer/reporter at Chicago Public Media WBEZ FM 91.5, has been named managing editor of Ebony magazine.

Monday marked her first day on the job with the monthly African-American lifestyle magazine and website published by Chicago-based Johnson Publishing. “I’m very excited to part of the legendary JPC family,” Chaney said.

As managing editor she fills the vacancy left by Wendy Wilson, who exited last April. Chaney reports to Ebony editor-in-chief Kierna Mayo. Continue reading →

Bioncé Foxx

Chicago broadcast veteran Bioncé Foxx has been named midday personality on WVAZ FM 102.7, the iHeartMedia urban adult-contemporary station.

Starting Tuesday, she’ll host from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday. Foxx replaces Connie “Consuella” Williams, whose last day at V103 was February 11. Continue reading →

Susanna Homan

Susanna Homan, the high-profile Chicago media executive and celebrity journalist, was named editor-in-chief and publisher of Chicago magazine Friday in a move that reunites her with Tribune Publishing chairman Michael Ferro.

Homan previously worked for Ferro at Wrapports LLC, where she founded Splash, the lifestyle and fashion supplement, and served as publisher and general manager. Continue reading →

Garry Meier

Borrowing a page from ex-partner Steve Dahl, Chicago radio personality Garry Meier is about to offer a premium subscription podcast service to listeners who pay a monthly fee.

Back behind a microphone after 16 months away, Meier will launch his new independent venture Saturday at GarryMeier.com. Initially he plans to produce three one-hour shows each week for free as he seeks to convert listeners to paid subscribers. Continue reading →

Troy Christensen

Robservations on the media beat:

There’s another change in the weather at WLS-Channel 7. Meteorologist Troy Christensen, who’s been freelancing on weekends since October 2013, is leaving to join the Federal Emergency Management Agency as an external affairs specialist based in Chicago. His last day at the ABC-owned station will be Sunday, according to news director Jennifer Graves. In the short term, weekend morning weather duties will be handled by Phil Schwarz and freelancer Mark McGinnis, former chief meteorologist at WDJT, the CBS affiliate in Milwaukee. Sources say ABC 7’s weather front soon will shift again with the expected hiring of Larry Mowry, chief meteorologist at CBS-owned KTVT in Dallas. Continue reading →

"Kristen Nicole"

Joining WFLD-Channel 32 these days is a lot like entering the Witness Protection Program. Sometimes you even change your name.

The Fox-owned station this week announced the hiring of “Kristen Nicole” to anchor the Saturday and Sunday editions of “Good Day Chicago,” starting March 28. The seat has been occupied by a revolving cast since the two-hour weekend show debuted January 30.

Continue reading →

Larry Mowry

Robservations on the media beat:

No one is supposed to know it yet, but WLS-Channel 7 is about to add a new face to its weather front. Larry Mowry, chief meteorologist at CBS-owned KTVT in Dallas, is expected to join the ABC-owned station here next month. It’s a homecoming for Mowry, who worked weekends at ABC 7 in 2004 and freelanced at CLTV in 2003. The addition comes as 32-year veteran Jerry Taft prepares to turn over his 10 p.m. weekday weather duties to newcomer Cheryl Scott. Also in the station's meteorology mix are Tracy Butler, Phil Schwarz and Troy Christensen. No comment from ABC 7. Continue reading →