Just in time for the 90th anniversary celebration of WGN AM 720, the Tribune Broadcasting news/talk station has brought back its iconic mascot from the past — the cartoon bird named “Chicago.”

This time around, the Bird will roost on social media at twitter.com/wgnbirdchicago. Continue reading →

Dan McNeil

When it comes to Dan McNeil, the drama never ends.

The $300,000-a-year franchise player at CBS Radio sports/talk WSCR AM 670 is missing again from the midday show he co-hosts with Matt Spiegel. McNeil’s last broadcast was June 13 — just two days before his contract with the Score expired. Continue reading →

Beth Fenner and Rich Gamble

It’s over and out for Rich Gamble after five years as publisher and general manager of Chicago magazine following a long-simmering power struggle with his hand-picked editor.

Gamble announced Thursday that he’s leaving the monthly publication at the end of July to become senior vice president of operations at the Chicago Zoological Society, which runs Brookfield Zoo. Continue reading →

(Photo: Aaron Altounian)

The formal dedication of the WGN Radio Walk of Fame Friday will coincide with the 90th anniversary celebration of Tribune Broadcasting news/talk flagship WGN AM 720.

Honored with plaques embedded in the pavement outside Tribune Tower will be the inaugural group of station legends: Quin Ryan, Jack Brickhouse, Wally Phillips, Orion Samuelson, Roy Leonard, Milt Rosenberg, Bob Collins, Kathy O’Malley, Judy Markey and Spike O’Dell. Continue reading →

Courtney Gousman

After two years as a per diem reporter at CBS-owned WBBM-Channel 2, Courtney Gousman has been hired as a full-time general assignment reporter at Tribune Broadcasting WGN-Channel 9.

Starting July 9, she’ll be reporting on WGN’s evening newscasts, according to interim news director Jennifer Lyons. Continue reading →

Bruce Dold

The addition of pages and personnel both in print and online this week underscored what the Chicago Tribune calls its “commitment to opinion leadership.”

In a message to readers Monday, editor Gerry Kern announced the addition of a Perspective page on Monday and Tuesday, bringing the total number of opinion pages to three each day Monday through Friday and five on Sunday. Also being expanded are the Tribune’s digital opinion pages, including editorials, commentary, columns, cartoons, videos and letters from readers.

The moves come at a time when other newspapers are going in the opposite direction. Continue reading →

Eric Brown

Co-workers and colleagues are remembering Chicago radio sportscaster Eric Brown as a consummate professional and a genuinely nice guy.

A 26-year veteran of CBS Radio all-news WBBM AM 780/WCFS FM 105.9, Brown died of cancer Tuesday at 58. He had been on a leave of absence since last fall. Continue reading →

David Kaplan and David Haugh

Comcast SportsNet Chicago will air a live, three-hour simulcast of David Kaplan and David Haugh’s midday show on Tribune Broadcasting sports/talk WGWG LP 87.7, starting July 21.

From cameras in their Tribune Tower radio studio, “Kap & Haugh” will be seen from 9 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday on Comcast SportsNet. A one-hour “Best of Kap & Haugh” highlights show also will air at 11 p.m. weeknights. Continue reading →

Robert Jordan, Jim Ramsey, Jackie Bange and Rich King

In yet another expansion of its news operation, WGN-Channel 9 is about to add an hour of news at 5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.

Robert Jordan and Jackie Bange, who’ve been co-anchors of the 9 p.m. weekend newscasts on the Tribune Broadcasting station since 1995, will front the new 5 p.m. newscasts, starting July 12. Also featured will be Jim Ramsey on weather and Rich King on sports. Continue reading →

Greg Caputo

Greg Caputo leaves some pretty big shoes to fill at Chicago’s busiest TV news operation, but WGN-Channel 9 appears to be in no hurry to replace him.

No successor has been named for Caputo, who announced plans May 5 to retire as news director of the Tribune Broadcasting station. His last day on the job will be Friday.

While the position remains vacant (and the opening is still posted online), all eyes are on assistant news director Jennifer Lyons. A 20-year veteran of WGN, Lyons has taken a larger role in the news department since Caputo's announcement and will continue to oversee the department after next week, according to Greg Easterly, president and general manager. Continue reading →