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I'm subscribed to their creative services account, and just saw that WGN posted this fall's sales presentation video. [MEDIA=vimeo]239535614[/MEDIA] A few things stuck out. They conveniently left out the part that their lead anchor is leaving, though they made a point to talk up Ben Bradley. That said, the end of the clip includes a promo that is now airing to that masses that, despite a few months til his exit, completely omits Mark Suppelsa. Seems a little soon to do that, but whatever. Also in the sales pitch is a tease of a "local show with national potential, starring morning sports anchor and comedian Pat Tomasulo", that will air this winter. No idea what they have in mind, or if it has any effect on his morning show role.

I didn't think she was going to make it til 10 this morning, as she was starting to lose her voice.

Oh, I was close. Tanja's anchoring solo tonight, and Phil is back.

Damn, my Random Weekend Anchor Generator (patent pending) predicted Krashesky, Babich, and Schwarz.

They must be holding out hope for Darlene to come back, or they're at least not ready to say goodbye, as Roeper's bio is already gone, while hers is still online...though they haven't bothered to update anyone else's.

Back in the day, they'd send Mike out to a high school every Friday to preview a football match-up. While they do that now in the form of the morning "Friday Flyover", this isn't much different.

He never stopped. Frankly, reviews and entertainment stories were about all he was doing, anyway. The 3-person anchor panel was abandoned awhile ago.

And Megyn Kelly is the answer? ABC and CBS sure hope so.

It appears that the layoff fairy swept through ABC 7, and a half dozen off-air positions were eliminated. As for on-air staff, a part-timer is indeed being brought in to fill the void as Laura Podesta's exit approaches. Hinsdale native Megan Hickey comes aboard from WEWS. http://www.robertfeder.com/2017/10/18/robservations-layoffs-cut-half-dozen-jobs-abc-7/

Throw in Bill Ritter's concussion early this year (or late 2016), and it makes for quite a concerning few years.

From March 17, 1992; St. Patrick's Day, and more importantly, primary day in Illinois and Michigan. From WLS, this is World News Tonight (Sam Donaldson in for Peter Jennings), Eyewitness News at 6 (future 6pm team Krashesky and Brock in for Floyd Kalber), and the first few minutes of Wheel of Fortune. Since the opening of the network newscast is cut off, this recording would've aired from about 5:31-6:33pm. [MEDIA=vimeo]217929979[/MEDIA]

I don't know how much effort is required to add and subtract, but I believe her bio went up after only after Mike was fired. That said, they managed to move Ron and Linda's bios to the bottom of the page and even more their retirements for about a month before they were permanently removed.

As much as we drag on Sinclair politics, even they must recognize the program's potential. Unfortunately, the top talents' salaries are what are most likely to cause changes.

Shae Peppler.

Call me crazy, but I don't disagree. My morning habits have not changed (7 before 7, then switch to 'GN), but I am increasingly making 32 my 9pm news of choice. I have no tangible evidence to prove it, but with all their expansion at 6 and 10, I'm convinced that the quality, content, and perhaps most of all, pacing of WGN's marquee newscast has suffered greatly. No amount of Skilling can help it right now, in my opinion. Dawn and Corey are great together, the set is slick, I don't mind the graphics compared to WGN, and the overall apparent investment in the station has really put them in an infinitely better place than they were even 3 years ago.

Why do I feel like Sam came on for the 20th anniversary?

Life isn't fair.

When Cheryl was hired, she was ensured the 10pm spot, which she got, and no one's died. I don't recall hearing anything that she'd get the chief title, though. If she does, I won't be surprised, but I don't believe anything was guaranteed. Heck, it wasn't until the new opens in 2013 that they really started to push the chief moniker for Jerry. Yes, it was implied and obvious, but rarely spoken. All that said, I'm not sure anyone would get promoted to succeed Jerry in the current economic climate at ABC, especially if the WCIU newscast's future is ever put into question (they discuss the matter every year). As for when Jerry's hanging it up, it's anybody's guess. I wouldn't be stunned if he wanted to reach 35 years in 2019, like Alan and Jim, but it might be just as likely that he thinks of another Chicago winter, and announces it soon. I know he did just put his home up for sale, so his retirement MIGHT be coming sooner rather than later.

Yeah, the listing has been taken off their website, so it's certainly not happening anytime soon. I will be curious, though, if the network will allow them to pick up a part-timer with Podesta leaving. Hell, I wish they'd add to/update the online bios to settle the score on where people stand and who's official employees.

I mean, it may not be long, but... (See profile pic)

Is Krashesky's like Fabio or something, because his involvement in this telecast confuses me just as much?

That's kinda what I figured, that it is some kind of national campaign. I'm still surprised to see her back in the company fold.

Did I/we miss something? I'm guessing this isn't anything more than some promotional spots, but still.

Whether or not the new talent opens ever make it to air, something is definitely in the works, and it's starting with a logo update. The gray Circle 7 appears to be on it's way out, as a white (but not flat) model is on it's way in. The rendering of it in some uses reminds me of the higher-contrast model that WPVI is using in their new opens. Just a couple samples I've noticed over the last month or so... The headshots used here are from the talent open shoot... Three logos at once, for fun. Also note the cuff links, a gift from Mrs. Krashesky... I saw this billboard last week, and it made it into Feder's article this morning (also from the aforementioned open reshoots)... The non-news programming bugs have changed, too, with redone animations. I only have a still of the WCL, but it animates similarly to the following bug... [MEDIA=imgur]SMSO3nB[/MEDIA] Yes, overall it's fairly minor, but as it's seeping into the newscasts, I'm left to guess that yet another October (what would be the 4th in 5 years) might mean some more changes.

As he celebrates his 35th anniversary at WLS, here's Alan Krashesky...weatherman? While these are quick clips, stuff from this era at the station is largely considered rare. After that brief stint, he became early morning news anchor, leading into some random chick's show. Don't know what happened to her. Finally, a nice clean cut of the debut broadcast of the 6:15 'Eyewitness News This Morning' from 1989, a few months before it would expand and add traffic anchor Roz Varon.