Ailing anchor Phil Ponce feeling ‘much better now’

Phil Ponce

Phil Ponce

Veteran Chicago public television newsman Phil Ponce is expected back on the air Monday after several days in the hospital for treatment of chest pain and a cyst in his liver.

“Phil is grateful for everyone’s good wishes and asks that the public not send cards or letters,” according to a statement from WTTW-Channel 11, where Ponce hosts the flagship nightly news program “Chicago Tonight.” “He emphasizes that he is perfectly fine and is looking forward to getting back to work.” Continue reading

Tribune buys suburban newspapers from Sun-Times — and Sun-Times buys more time

Chicago Tribune

Chicago Tribune

It’s official: Tribune Publishing Co. announced Friday it has acquired all 38 suburban publications owned by the Sun-Times parent company and will continue printing and distributing the Sun-Times daily newspaper under a new long-term agreement with Wrapports LLC.

Terms of the agreement, first reported here October 21, were not disclosed. Sources said negotiations to finalize the deal ran late into the night Thursday in order to meet the goal of a November 1 deadline. Continue reading

It’s showtime again for Steve Dahl on WLS

Steve Dahl

Steve Dahl

Monday marks Steve Dahl’s return as afternoon personality on WLS AM 890 — and a comeback to terrestrial radio that many of his fans probably thought would never happen.

“I’m excited for it,” Dahl said Thursday. “It’s been six years since I last had my own radio show. I’m pretty sure it’s like riding a bicycle, but I’m going to wear a helmet just in case.” Continue reading

Newcity’s best at rocking the boat

NewcityNewcity is about to come out with its annual Best of Chicago issue, and once again editor and publisher Brian Hieggelke is rocking the local media boat.

Who else but Hieggelke would proclaim the besieged Sun-Times “best local daily newspaper,” declare an architecture critic “best Chicago news columnist” or project a landslide election for governor next week? Continue reading

Ellen Warren ends ‘great run’ at Tribune

Ellen Warren

Ellen Warren

The incomparable Ellen Warren, a Hall of Fame journalist whose insight and flair graced the pages of three Chicago newspapers, is retiring after more than two decades as senior correspondent and columnist for the Chicago Tribune.

Friday will be Warren’s last day at the Tribune, culminating a reporting career that stretched from Chicago City Hall to the White House and from the presidential campaign trail to the Middle East. Continue reading

Doug Banks still tops afternoon drive

Thirty-two years after Doug Banks began broadcasting in Chicago, he’s still riding high in the ratings.

Nielsen Audio figures released Monday for the period from September 11 to October 8 again give Banks the top spot for his syndicated afternoon show on iHeartMedia urban adult-contemporary WVAZ FM 102.7. That’s the same frequency where it all began for Banks in 1982 under the call letters WBMX. Continue reading