Random WGN thread

[MorningNews 1711]

Woah. They fired their evening anchor? That’s significant.

[R.R. 126]

3 hours ago, GodfreyGR said:

Jen Lyons has developed a habit of employing former WGN/NN staffers (Donlon, Ramon for starters). How many from this list find a new home at Channel 2?

2 has been nabbing former GN talent for years such as Dana Kozlov, Jim Williams, etc, so it wouldn’t shock me if Jen had offered them something in the future. 

[TheRolyPoly 3510]

4 hours ago, 24994J said:

The full list, in addition to Lewis, Richards & Janssen, which totals 9...

• Ray Cortopassi, lead anchor
• Paul Lisnek, political analyst
• Chris Boden, sports anchor
• Julian Crews, reporter
• Judy Wang, reporter
• Bronagh Tumulty, reporter

https://www.ftvlive.com/sqsp-test/2026/2/24/nexstar-swings-the-blade-in-chi-town

 

This is a sad day. Richards is indispensable in Chicago, Julian Crews is another longtime there and so is Judy Wang, and Bronagh was just absolutely amazing and lovely.

 

I have a feeling that Paul's talents will land at WFLD to join Paris Schutz there or at WMAQ to combine his experience and expertise with the insatiable Mary Ann Ahern.

 

Its just a bad and brutal day for my favorite station in Chicago.

[24994J 5888]

Those nine individuals combined for approx. 166 years at WGN/CLTV.

[GraphicsMan 345]

I’m bummed Brougnah and Ray Cortopassi were laid off I don’t really like a lot of Chicago personalities. But I like Brougnah foreign POV (since she’s from Ireland) and her uniqueness. Ray was chill also. Micah gotta find a new co-anchor.

Edited February 24 by GraphicsMan

[cpet228 2]

Unless something has changed, Channel 7 has an anchor opening.

[24994J 5888]

21 minutes ago, cpet228 said:

Unless something has changed, Channel 7 has an anchor opening.

 

Promos have been made for a Karen-led team. There is no anchor vacancy. She is now solo.

[Jase 1164]

8 hours ago, GodfreyGR said:

Jen Lyons has developed a habit of employing former WGN/NN staffers (Donlon, Ramon for starters). How many from this list find a new home at Channel 2?

 

I'm not sure there is any room at WBBM. They have 18 reporters, 6 mets, etc... that it's highly unlikely anyone lands there. Plus, I think they're happy with their anchor lineup, but, you never know...

 

Boden could head to WFLD given they're looking for a lead sports anchor. He has a ton of experience in the market and was a former freelancer there. Richards could land at WMAQ. With LeeAnn Trotter now retired, Dean would fit in nicely as a feature reporter covering the Arts, etc....  WFLD is looking for a reporter too, so someone could land there. I could see Crews and Wang calling it a career and retiring, but again, you never know...

[Greggo 384]

So is Micah gonna go solo in the evenings? Or does Ben get moved to anchor with her?  Weekend mornings I assume will now be solo, too. Weekend evening weather will be … per diem? 

[24994J 5888]

I think there is a reasonable chance that the weekend morning news gets canceled. Maybe not for several months, but soon enough, either way. I could see some scenario where Ben's duties expand and Tahman adds an anchor shift, in addition to his 6:45p show.

[R.R. 126]

12 hours ago, Greggo said:

Or does Ben get moved to anchor with her?

He made it clear years back he didn’t want late shift since he still wants to have dinner with his family. But let’s see how that works.

[Chicago2008 39]

Per the tribune, several peole in the creative services department including the producer detained by ICE were laid off.

[Georgie56 3661]

Veteran reporter Judy Wang was also among those laid off.