Quinn Myers
Robservations on the media beat:
Block Club Chicago
Quinn Myers, a reporter and producer for WTTW-Channel 11's "Chicago Tonight," has been hired by Block Club Chicago to cover the Wicker Park, Bucktown and West Town neighborhoods for the nonprofit neighborhood news site. "Wicker Park and Bucktown readers have been some of Block Club's biggest supporters from Day One, so we're thrilled to be bringing in an experienced reporter who deeply cares about the community," said co-founder and director of strategy Jen Sabella. "Like many Block Club reporters, Quinn lives in the beat he’s covering. We believe that deep connection to the community makes our hyperlocal coverage more reflective of the neighborhoods." Myers, a graduate of George Washington University, joined the Window to the World Communications station as an associate producer and reporter in 2019. He previously worked as a reporting intern and contributor for Chicago Public Media WBEZ 91.5-FM. "Absolutely thrilled to be part of one of the most engaged and vital newsrooms in the city and I can't wait to get started," Myers tweeted. At Block Club he replaces Hannah Alani, who moved out of town.
Brad Edwards
Tuesday was a red letter day for WBBM-Channel 2. The CBS-owned station won the coveted national Edward R. Murrow Award for overall excellence, citing its wide-ranging investigative work and its coverage of unrest following the death of George Floyd. “We are honored with this incredible recognition,” news director Jeff Harris said in a statement. “As journalists, we have a duty to report on wrongdoing and tell the stories of our city. In doing so, we hope to improve our community and help Chicago become a better place to live. This award is a reflection of that commitment.” In addition, CBS 2 news anchor and investigative reporter Brad Edwards won the award for excellence in writing. Chicago Public Media WBEZ 91.5-FM was cited in the large market radio podcast category for the third season of the investigative podcast series "Motive." It focused on the rise of white supremacy, extremism and the youth hate movement in America. The awards, sponsored by the Radio Television Digital News Association, will be presented October 27 in New York.
Chicago Reader
It may take some getting used to, but the Chicago Reader has unveiled an unfettered new website at ChicagoReader.com. "Migrating to WordPress and modernizing the site is part of the Reader's grand plan to keep being free and freaky for another 50 years," Karen Hawkins, co-publisher and co-editor-in-chief of the nonprofit alternative biweekly, wrote in a welcoming note. "The look and feel of the ChicagoReader.com has changed, but the Reader's commitment to independent, alternative, impactful journalism has not."
Rick Dees
With the launch of Rewind TV just two weeks away, Nexstar Media has signed radio legend Rick Dees as the voice of the Chicago-based digital subchannel featuring reruns of TV sitcoms. Starting September 1, it will complement Nexstar's Antenna TV network. In Chicago Rewind will appear on WGN Channel 9.4. "Rewind TV will air the TV comedy hits of the '80s, '90s and beyond, so there's no better personality than radio and TV personality Rick Dees to be the voice between the hits," Sean Compton, president of Nexstar's networks division, said in a press release.
Bart Shore
It's moving day for Bart Shore, the Chicago broadcast veteran and longtime traffic reporter. Shore and his wife, Victoria, have sold their house in the Logan Square neighborhood and are relocating to Brevard, North Carolina. But he'll continue to be a familiar voice on the radio, working remotely for Total Traffic Network and hosting weekends for iHeartMedia adult contemporary WLIT 93.9-FM. Shore, a native of north suburban Wilmette, started on the station — then known as WLAK — in 1985. On Friday he took one last ride over Chicago in the NBC Sky 5 helicopter when he filled in for reporter Mike Lorber on NBC-owned WMAQ-Channel 5.
Lauren Rohr
In 2015 reporter Lauren Rohr joined the Daily Herald straight out of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (where she'd been managing editor of the Daily Illini). Today, after six years on a variety of beats, she's leaving to become public affairs coordinator for Advocate Aurora Health, with a focus on Advocate Lutheran General Hospital. "I'm thrilled to be taking the next step in my career with a team so dedicated to effective communication in the health care industry," Rohr tweeted. "My time as a reporter has been an incredible journey, and I will be forever grateful for the talented journalists and valued sources I met along the way."
Tuesday's comment of the day: Frank Baker: The current trend of giving a two-minute weather tease at the beginning every news show is ridiculous. It used to be that the practice of doing that was reserved for severe weather situations that made the weather a news story. Now, with every news show, we get a two-minute tease that tells us nothing useful and always ends with, "Stay tuned for tomorrow's forecast!" It makes no sense and only serves to try and entice the viewer to stay on the couch until the full weather segment comes back in 10 minutes. It's almost as bad as the constant use of the flashing red screen that says "BREAKING NEWS" for each story. It's like the boy who cried wolf. The breaking news banner has lost all meaning.