A Cumulus Media spokeswoman has denied a report here Thursday that WLS AM 890 is dropping Rush Limbaugh’s syndicated talk show.

“This is not at all accurate. Any report to the contrary is false,” she said. Continue reading →

Rush Limbaugh

Rush Limbaugh, who’s been a fixture on WLS AM 890 for more than 25 years, is about to get the bum’s rush from the Cumulus Media news/talk station, sources said Wednesday.

If all goes as planned, Limbaugh’s syndicated talk show, which airs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday, will be dropped by the end of March, according to insiders at WLS. Continue reading →

Fred Mitchell

Chicago Tribune sports columnist Fred Mitchell, White Sox broadcaster Steve Stone and the late White Sox broadcaster Bob Elson have been named recipients of Ring Lardner Awards for Excellence in Sports Journalism.

The three will be honored at a dinner May 4 at the Union League Club of Chicago, 65 West Jackson Boulevard. Proceeds will benefit the Union League Boys & Girls Clubs. Continue reading →

Oprah meets the press: Writers Gordon Walek, Mary Gillespie and Robert Feder with Oprah Winfrey (March 14, 1990)

Oprah Winfrey announced Tuesday that she’s closing Harpo Studios and consolidating her production operations in California. “I’ve spent more time there than anywhere else,” she said in a statement, referring to the Near West Side complex that once housed her eponymous talk show — and many of her dreams. “I am so proud of what we created.”

Winfrey’s announcement brought back memories of a morning in March 25 years ago when she opened the doors of Harpo Studios to members of the press for the first time. TV critics and writers from around the country flocked like pilgrims to the Chicago media mecca. Continue reading →

Vince Gerasole and Erin Kennedy (via selfie stick)

Feature reporter Vince Gerasole is the latest anchor du jour alongside Erin Kennedy as WBBM-Channel 2 moves to recast its weekday morning newscast yet again.

Friday was the last day at the CBS-owned station for Kris Gutierrez, who never lost his homesickness for Texas and packed it in after three years to join KXAS-TV, the NBC-owned station in Dallas. Don't worry if you never heard of him. You're not alone. Continue reading →

Peter Bowen

Peter Bowen, a star sales executive for CBS Radio and a veteran of the Chicago broadcasting community, has been named vice president and Chicago market manager of Cumulus Media.

Bowen will replace Donna Baker overseeing the company’s four stations here, including news/talk WLS AM 890, classic hits WLS FM 94.7, classic rock WLUP FM 97.9 and alternative rock WKQX FM 101.1. Cumulus Media is sending Baker back to Kansas City, where she started with the company in 2007. Baker will oversee Cumulus station operations in Kansas City, Minneapolis, and Des Moines. Continue reading →

With new call letters, new branding and an enhanced adult-contemporary format, Hubbard Radio is putting a fresh coat of paint on WILV FM 100.3.

Starting at 10 a.m. Monday, the station will become WSHE and refer to itself on the air and in its marketing as “SHE.” It will continue to target adult women, specifically between the ages of 35 and 44, with a playlist of familiar artists. Continue reading →

John Cody

The incomparable John Cody, regarded by many of his peers as the best radio reporter in Chicago, is retiring after 50 years in the business.

Cody, 71, told colleagues Friday his last day as a general assignment reporter at CBS Radio all-news WBBM AM 780/WCFS FM 105.9 will be March 13. He joined WBBM Newsradio in 1967 after two years at City News Bureau of Chicago. Continue reading →

Andrew Patner (1988)

The life of Chicago journalist and arts critic Andrew Patner will be celebrated March 18 in Orchestra Hall at Symphony Center, 220 South Michigan Avenue. Starting at 7 p.m., the event is free and open to the public.

Patner, who was critic-at-large at classical WFMT FM 98.7 and a contributing critic on classic music for the Sun-Times, died February 3 from a bacterial infection at age 55. Continue reading →

Chicago Sun-Times (Photo: Seth Anderson)

Fifteen editorial employees of the Sun-Times are leaving the newspaper after accepting voluntary buyouts, sources said Friday.

All 15 are represented by the Chicago Newspaper Guild, which was formally notified that the buyouts had been approved. All will be gone from the Sun-Times newsroom by Monday. Continue reading →