Cisco Cotto

Veteran Chicago broadcaster Cisco Cotto, who spent the last decade as a talk show host for both secular and religious stations, is returning to his roots as a radio newsman.

Cotto, 39, was hired Tuesday as an anchor/reporter at WBBM AM 780 and WCFS FM 105.9, according to Ron Gleason, director of news and programming for the top-rated CBS Radio all-news station. He’s expected to start on the air next week. Continue reading →

Katie Kim

They’re rolling out the welcome mat at WMAQ-Channel 5 for Katie Kim, just in from KRQE-TV, the CBS affiliate in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Kim joins the NBC-owned station as a general assignment reporter effective October 20, according to Frank Whittaker, station manager and vice president of news at NBC 5. Continue reading →

Kris Kridel

Kris Kridel, host of “The Noon Business Hour” and one of the most respected voices on Chicago radio, is back in afternoon drive on WBBM AM 780 and WCFS FM 105.9.

In a realignment of Monday-through-Friday shifts at the top-rated CBS Radio all-news station, Kridel will start her on-air duties with midday news anchor Sherman Kaplan on the noon show and stay on to anchor afternoon newscasts with Keith Johnson through 6 p.m. Continue reading →

Cheryl Scott

If it was hard for Cheryl Scott’s legion of fans to see her bid farewell from WMAQ-Channel 5 Sunday night, it wasn’t any easier for Scott.

“Signing off this weekend was difficult for me,” said Scott, who delivered her final forecast as the NBC-owned station’s weekend meteorologist. “It’s been three great years at NBC, and the outpouring of support from Chicago viewers has been amazing. I am so thankful for what has been a great experience in one of the best cities in the country.” Continue reading →

Tim Virgin

It’s a whole new day at WLUP FM 97.9 as the Cumulus Media classic rock station unveils a revamped weekday talent lineup Monday.

Returning as afternoon personality is Tim Virgin, who previously worked at The Loop in the mid-’90s before two stints at alternative rock WKQX FM 101.1. He most recently hosted afternoons at KEGY in San Diego. Continue reading →

Alexa Helms

Even by the minimal standards for news anchors these days at WFLD-Channel 32, poor Alexa Helms just couldn’t cut it.

Three months after she was plucked from the Fox affiliate in Miami and hired as a weekend and fill-in anchor at the Fox-owned station here, Helms has been taken off the anchor desk and moved to full-time reporting duties, according to station insiders. Continue reading →

Scott Shannon

It’s been two years since the unmistakable voice of Scott Shannon graced the FM airwaves in Chicago. Now the Radio Hall of Famer is about to make a comeback here.

“Scott Shannon Presents America’s Greatest Hits,” a brand-new nationally syndicated four-hour weekly show, has been picked up by CBS Radio’s 10 classic hits stations, including WJMK FM 104.3. Starting October 18, it will air from 6 to 10 a.m Saturdays on K-Hits, according to program director Todd Cavanah. Continue reading →

John Barron

John Barron, the former Chicago Sun-Times publisher and editor who crossed over last year to the Chicago Tribune, was promoted Wednesday to general manager of Tribune Content Agency, the rapidly growing syndication and licensing unit of Tribune Publishing.

In his new role, Barron will be responsible for operations, marketing and technology while continuing as editor.  James Pinnick, who had been general manager of Tribune Content Agency for four years, left earlier this month to become vice president of licensing and content acquisition of Cision. Continue reading →

P.J. Hoff

Long before Tom Skilling or Harry Volkman or John Coleman, Chicago’s favorite TV weatherman was P.J. Hoff.

With little more than an oversized sketch pad and his imagination, the amiable Hoff brought a wealth of talent as a cartoonist to his nightly weather reports over nearly two decades at CBS-owned WBBM-Channel 2. Continue reading →

Phil Bedella

In an historic long-term deal announced Tuesday, Comcast SportsNet Chicago landed the rights to all 59 state championship events encompassing Illinois High School Association football, basketball and other preps sports.

Starting with the current school year, Comcast SportsNet will be the exclusive home for more than 160 hours of IHSA Championship events, to be produced by PlayOn! Sports. Terms were not disclosed, but it marks the first time the football and basketball championships have both been on a regional sports network since the days of Fox Sports Net. Continue reading →