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The "Marshall" Plan at WBBM Newsradio

Posted by ABRockNJock <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=ABRockNJock' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on December 9, 2025, 12:41 pm

Listeners to WBBM Newsradio 780 AM/WCFS 105.9 FM will be hearing a new nighttime newsman...And he's someone who has been helping wake up Chicagoans already.

Glenn Marshall, who had been an assignment reporter the last 4 years on WGN 9's very popular "Morning News", is making the transition from TV to radio. The Audacy-owned news outlet has hired Marshall to anchor and report evenings.

Marshall began his career as a newswriter at NBC 5 and explains in this link how WBBM Newsradio became his dream job:

https://radioinsight.com/headlines/325277/wbbm-adds-glenn-marshall-as-evening-anchor-reporter/

Re: The "Marshall" Plan at WBBM Newsradio

Posted by detectivetom <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=detectivetom' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on December 9, 2025, 6:54 pm, in reply to "The "Marshall" Plan at WBBM Newsradio"

I am trying to recall who previously had this spot. Are they out?

Re: The "Marshall" Plan at WBBM Newsradio

Posted by ABRockNJock <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=ABRockNJock' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on December 10, 2025, 12:58 pm, in reply to "Re: The "Marshall" Plan at WBBM Newsradio"

That's a very good question. I think a couple of things would probably figure into the equation.

I think for some who have been at WBBM Newsradio 780 AM/105.9 FM for many years, they have either retired or have moved on. There were quite a few like morning co-anchors Felicia Middlebrooks, Pat Cassidy & veteran midday anchor Sherman Kaplan that I know retired many years ago. I'm not sure if some of the names were victims of corporate cutbacks by parent company Audacy within the last 5 years or so due to the pandemic.

The other thing to think about. I have noticed that evenings & weekends, WBBM utilizes a solo anchor instead of dual anchors like they do mornings through afternoon drive.

I think you stumped me on this one.

Re: The "Marshall" Plan at WBBM Newsradio

Posted by John from Wisconsin <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=John+from+Wisconsin' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on December 10, 2025, 4:01 pm, in reply to "Re: The "Marshall" Plan at WBBM Newsradio"

"like they do mornings" DID.
Rob Hart, Lisa Fielding are solo. Roger Plummer begins at 7 or 8 and runs through 5AM, though anything after 10PM is "after the hour" for time checks, that are replayed from 1-5AM, in MARKET #3!

Bob Conway was there until retiring in mid 2023.
I believe Mr.Plummer would take over the overnight shift. THEN, BBM went to pre-recorded over nights.
This was mid 2024.

Jim Gudas, Varen Black, Keith Johnson seem to be casualties. Jackie Swike would anchor overnight weekends w/Jan Coleman. Ms Coleman is now Sunday mornings only. Swike disappeared in 2022?/Covid cut, my guess.

A slew of reporters have been added, but the product is "old." You hear "reporters" at 5, 6 am. These were cut the previous day (or two) back.

Weekends are worse, in my opinion.

So, Marshall is in. Who is replaced, cut, whatever?

I wish all luck, including those let go. People want comfort in voices....not having them replaced at ones will.

Hope the bankers are happy!
John

Re: The "Marshall" Plan at WBBM Newsradio

Posted by detectivetom <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=detectivetom' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on December 10, 2025, 7:58 pm, in reply to "Re: The "Marshall" Plan at WBBM Newsradio"

And don’t forget Southeast Side native, Bernie Tafoya, who grew up in CHA housing. The Trumbull home on 106th st., I believe.

Re: The "Marshall" Plan at WBBM Newsradio

Posted by ABRockNJock <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=ABRockNJock' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on December 11, 2025, 1:08 am, in reply to "Re: The "Marshall" Plan at WBBM Newsradio"

Thank you for correcting & clarifying. The names have changed over the years at WBBM Newsradio 780 AM/105.9 FM, but as they say, "The news watch never stops."

I'm trying to remember, but I'd like to say that the likes of Bob Conway & Jan Coleman did news at the old WMAQ 670 AM about 25 years ago, long before Audacy's previous owners CBS Radio decided to pull the plug on 'MAQ's all news format in favor of WSCR's sports talk format known of course as The SCORE at 670 AM in 2000.

I think because of the 2020 pandemic and corporate cutbacks with practically every radio company in America, there are very few live & local options anymore. It's either pre-recorded or syndicated programming on the AM side and jockless music on the FM side up & down the dial.

That part isn't about to change as we get ready to say goodbye to 2025 & say hello to 2026 in a few weeks from now.

Re: The "Marshall" Plan at WBBM Newsradio

Posted by detectivetom <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=detectivetom' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on December 11, 2025, 9:32 am, in reply to "Re: The "Marshall" Plan at WBBM Newsradio"

I loved the WMAQ all news station. If I remember it also included Mike Kessler, Pam Reismeyer, Bob Roberts, and of course, Larry Langford who signed off the station.

Re: The "Marshall" Plan at WBBM Newsradio

Posted by John from Wisconsin <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=John+from+Wisconsin' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on December 11, 2025, 10:15 am, in reply to "Re: The "Marshall" Plan at WBBM Newsradio"

For your enjoyment!
There's an aircheck of Jan Coleman I cannot find.

I learn so MUCH on this board!!!!!!
John

Re: The "Marshall" Plan at WBBM Newsradio

Posted by ABRockNJock <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=ABRockNJock' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on December 11, 2025, 12:56 pm, in reply to "Re: The "Marshall" Plan at WBBM Newsradio"

Seems hard to believe, but WMAQ 670 AM was an "All News" station from 1988 to its sign off in 2000.

Gene Jansen was the face of those WMAQ commercials back then, and Ernie Anderson actually voiced an 'MAQ promo.

Yes, the same Ernie who was the announcer of ABC's primetime lineup for many years and the original voiceover who introduced the late, great Bob Saget as host of "America's Funniest Home Videos" in 1989.

Re: The "Marshall" Plan at WBBM Newsradio

Posted by John from Wisconsin <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=John+from+Wisconsin' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on December 11, 2025, 2:54 pm, in reply to "Re: The "Marshall" Plan at WBBM Newsradio"

I might be wrong, but the competition made them both better!

RIP Joe Collins with traffic.Passed in 2017. Gone too soon.

Re: The "Marshall" Plan at WBBM Newsradio

Posted by ABRockNJock <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=ABRockNJock' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on December 11, 2025, 3:07 pm, in reply to "Re: The "Marshall" Plan at WBBM Newsradio"

Bill Cameron, who I think just retired at WLS-AM 890, was Political Editor at WMAQ 670 during its all news format.

I'm trying to also remember...And I think WBBM Newsradio 780 AM/105.9 FM hasn't changed it in all the years I've listened. They do "Traffic & Weather Together on the '8s", Sports at :15 and :45 and Business at :25 and :55 past the hour all day long.

I remember ABC 7 did something similar a few years ago with "Traffic & Weather on the 7s". Tracy Butler's ever changing weather forecast followed immediately by Roz Varon's traffic update.

Butler is still at ABC 7, while Varon retired, I'd like to say earlier this year. Diane Pathieu took over Roz's traffic duties in recent months.

And yes, I'm old enough to remember when Roz did traffic on the long since defunct 103.5 FM when it was known as WFYR. Long before the current "KISS FM"...

Re: The "Marshall" Plan at WBBM Newsradio

Posted by detectivetom <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=detectivetom' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on December 11, 2025, 8:42 pm, in reply to "Re: The "Marshall" Plan at WBBM Newsradio"

Thanks for mentioning Joe Collins. We attended college together at St. Xavier College (then) now University. We were on the newspaper and radio station. He was a great guy.

Joe and Chuck Floramo helped set up that first radio station, which was in house, and is now WXAV (88.3FM). Joe was an accomplished actor and director for the Beverly Theatre Guild. Chuck is an esteemed television editor.

Re: The "Marshall" Plan at WBBM Newsradio

Posted by WYTZZ95FM <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=WYTZZ95FM' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on December 12, 2025, 8:19 am, in reply to "Re: The "Marshall" Plan at WBBM Newsradio"

Awesome info, thank you for sharing.

Z

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