WKQX finally comes alive at night

Josh Marconi

Josh Marconi

After years of cutting corners with disembodied voice-tracking, alternative rocker WKQX FM 101.1 is going live and local at night.

Josh Marconi, a veteran of three radio stations in Portland, Oregon, has been hired by the Cumulus Media station to host from 7 p.m. to midnight Monday through Friday, starting September 8. He'll also work a Saturday shift. Continue reading

WGN enters 10 p.m. news battle

Mark Suppelsa, Dan Roan, Tom Skilling and Micah Materre

Mark Suppelsa, Dan Roan, Tom Skilling and Micah Materre

Long Chicago’s television news leader at 9 p.m., WGN-Channel 9 will expand its late news to 10 p.m. this fall, the Tribune Media station announced Tuesday.

Starting October 5, WGN will add a 30-minute newscast at 10 p.m., to be anchored by the 9 p.m. team of Mark Suppelsa, Micah Materre, meteorologist Tom Skilling and sportscaster Dan Roan. Continue reading

ABC 7 reporter Paul Meincke ‘downshifting to part-time’

Paul Meincke

Paul Meincke

We’ll soon be seeing a lot less of Paul Meincke, the WLS-Channel 7 reporter widely respected and admired as one of Chicago television’s all-time best.

After 30 years at the ABC-owned station, Meincke is retiring from the day-to-day grind. Under an agreement expected to be signed this week, he’ll deliver occasional reports for ABC 7 on stories that interest him. Continue reading

Tyra bumps Rachael to 1 a.m. on ABC 7

Rachael Ray

Rachael Ray

Rachael Ray is getting bumped to overnights this fall to accommodate a new daytime show hosted by Tyra Banks on ABC-owned WLS-Channel 7.

Starting September 14, “The Rachael Ray Show” will air at 1 a.m. Monday through Friday, according to John Idler, president and general manager of ABC 7. Taking over the show’s current slot at 1 p.m. weekdays will be “Fab Life,” a syndicated talk show featuring Banks leading a panel of lifestyle experts. Continue reading

Grossman leaves Sun-Times for U. of C.

Kate Grossman

Kate Grossman

Kate Grossman resigned Thursday as deputy editorial page editor of the Sun-Times to join the University of Chicago Institute of Politics as a director.

Grossman, who completed a fellowship at the institute earlier this year, will return to become part of the leadership team. Starting September 15, her main responsibility will be overseeing the fellowship program, which was founded at U. of C. in 2013 by David Axelrod. Continue reading