Steve Grzanich
Veteran Chicago radio newsman Steve Grzanich is joining Tribune Media news/talk WGN AM 720 where he’ll anchor an early morning business news hour and contribute to Steve Cochran’s morning show, starting January 4.
Best known for his 20 years as an anchor and reporter at CBS Radio all-news WBBM AM 780 and WCFS FM 105.9, Grzanich most recently has been a contributing reporter at Chicago-based Rivet Radio, a mobile app providing on-demand news to listeners worldwide.
At WGN he’ll host “The Opening Bell,” a new show from 5 to 6 a.m. Monday through Friday. It’s described as “a fast-paced wake-up call for investors, entrepreneurs, innovators and every Chicagoan who wants to better understand how their money moves around the planet and their workplace.”
“You’ll get the numbers and the characters fueling the business beat with Steve,” said Todd Manley, vice president of programming and content at WGN. “He’ll introduce you to Chicago’s global money makers and the innovators living right next door."
Grzanich also will join Andrea Darlas in delivering news during Cochran’s show from 6 to 10 a.m., and serve as the station’s business beat reporter covering the markets and technology.
"It's very humbling to join the WGN team of amazing, talented people and to get the chance to sit behind the same microphones as Paul Harvey, Wally Phillips, Bob Collins and so many other legendary broadcasters,” Grzanich said of his new job.
A native of West Frankfort, Illinois, and graduate of Southern Illinois University, Grzanich began at WFRX in West Frankfort and worked as a broadcast journalist for radio and TV stations in Chicago and downstate, including WTAX in Springfield and WLRW in Champaign. He joined WBBM Newsradio in 1994 and rose to afternoon drive anchor.
“I can't wait to join Steve Cochran and work alongside my old friend Andrea Darlas, who used to be my intern when I was news director in Champaign,” Grzanich said. “I'm also eager to get back on the radio and to cover Chicago news on a daily basis. I’m overwhelmed and proud to join the WGN family, and my promise to Chicago area listeners is [to] give it my all and look forward to spending time with you on the radio for many years to come.”
Calling Grzanich’s hiring “a great moment in our ever-expanding newsroom,” Manley added: “A kid from downstate West Frankfort who grew up listening to Orion Samuelson now gets to share the stage with him."