How Newcity’s publisher would save Sun-Times

Newcity Chicago

Newcity Chicago

The editor and publisher of Newcity, the venerable alternative weekly, is offering an imaginative plan to keep the Sun-Times alive and independent. It starts with getting rid of Michael Ferro.

In this week’s cover story titled Save The Sun-Times: How I’d Keep Chicago A Two-Newspaper Town, Brian Hieggelke forcefully argues that the city needs a better, smarter, stronger competitor to the Chicago Tribune. Continue reading

Robservations: WGN ‘happy’ to promote Tahman Bradley

Ethan Renoe and Tahman Bradley

Ethan Renoe and Tahman Bradley

Robservations on the media beat:

Tahman Bradley, whose interview with shirtless jogger Ethan Renoe last December became a viral sensation, has been named a full-time general assignment reporter at WGN-Channel 9. Bradley, a former Washington-based ABC News correspondent, has been a freelancer at the Tribune Media station since last summer. “As a network reporter, Tahman covered some pretty big breaking news stories: The Boston Marathon Bombing, Sandy Hook school tragedy and the protests in Ferguson,” WGN news director Jennifer Lyons wrote in a memo. “Tahman is one of Chicago’s Very Own and we are happy he’s decided to make WGN-TV his home.” The Chicago native and graduate of Rich Central High School and Howard University was a political reporter/producer for ABC News and a reporter for ABC NewsOne, the network's affiliate news service. Continue reading

Top anchorman Ron Magers retiring from ABC 7, insiders say

Ron Magers

Ron Magers

Ron Magers, anchorman of Chicago’s top-rated newscasts at 5 and 10 p.m. and one of the city’s most respected newsmen for more than three decades, is planning to retire this year, sources said.

Insiders at ABC-owned WLS-Channel 7 said Magers, 71, could step down as soon as this summer, if all goes as planned. The move is believed to be entirely voluntary by Magers, who’s widely regarded as the best in the business and still at the top of his game. Continue reading

Sun-Times owner Michael Ferro buys $44.4 million stake in Tribune

Michael Ferro

Michael Ferro

Chicago’s two daily newspapers may have moved a step closer to common ownership Thursday with the stunning announcement of a $44.4 million investment in Tribune Publishing by Michael Ferro, a principal owner of the Sun-Times.

With Ferro’s Merrick Media becoming the largest shareholder of Tribune Publishing stock and Ferro being named non-executive chairman of the board, the eventual merger of the Chicago Tribune and the Sun-Times would appear inevitable. Continue reading

WTTW cuts two execs for ‘budgetary reasons’

Window to the World Communications

Window to the World Communications

Two senior management positions at WTTW-Channel 11 were eliminated this week in response to a budgetary shortfall at parent company Window to the World Communications.

Parke Richeson, senior vice president of WTTW National Productions and a 27-year veteran of the company, and Mark Jahnke, vice president and chief technology officer at WTTW, were the highest profile employees affected by the latest reductions. Continue reading

Ex-Chicago journalist tied to fake quotes in stories

Juan Thompson

Juan Thompson

A former Chicago journalist has been linked to a “pattern of deception” involving fabricating quotes and creating fake email accounts while writing for The Intercept, a New York-based online publication.

Juan Thompson, whose employment as a staff reporter for The Intercept ended last month, previously worked as an intern at Chicago Public Media WBEZ FM 91.5 and at DNAinfo.com Chicago. (In his bio, he exaggerated his roles with both Chicago companies.) Continue reading