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WGN-TV hires new weatherman after letting Mike Janssen go

Posted by Media Reader User icon on August 31, 2026, 9:43 pm

WGN-TV hires new weatherman after letting Mike Janssen go...what?!

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Re: WGN-TV hires new weatherman after letting Mike Janssen go

Posted by detectivetom User icon on September 1, 2026, 8:26 am, in reply to "WGN-TV hires new weatherman after letting Mike Janssen go"

Yea, another WGN bonehead move. Jansen was there almost 10 years. He of course replaced longtime weather Jim Ramsey.

Re: WGN-TV hires new weatherman after letting Mike Janssen go

Posted by WYTZZ95FM User icon on September 1, 2026, 9:04 am, in reply to "Re: WGN-TV hires new weatherman after letting Mike Janssen go"

Nestar is a crap company. They are pointing toward bottom place like all the others in ethics, business practices and offerings.

WGN-TV was never biased. News Nation now is. WGN-TV is starting to show slow progression toward bias in reporting and in their investigations. Before someone pipes up, reporting both sides is fine. But when you are only verbalizing the one side, like News Nation tends to do and now WGN does, you are biased. It allows them more alignment and cross use of material between News Nation and WGN. When you see Nexstar dismantle the WGN-TV morning show, that is when it will be the end.

Z

Re: WGN-TV hires new weatherman after letting Mike Janssen go

Posted by ABRockNJock User icon on September 1, 2026, 1:08 pm, in reply to "Re: WGN-TV hires new weatherman after letting Mike Janssen go"

I don't know if they're slotting him in for weekend nights, which was what Jim Ramsey did prior for 30 years prior to his retirement in 2017 and his death in 2022.

Mike Janssen handled weekend evening weather duty at Channel 9 for 15 years before he was laid off in February as a result of budget cuts by Nexstar.

Now they're bringing in Justin Hobbs?! It seems like a head scratching move by WGN 9/Nexstar management.

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Re: WGN-TV hires new weatherman after letting Mike Janssen go

Posted by TheGhostOfWCBR User icon on September 1, 2026, 10:25 pm, in reply to "Re: WGN-TV hires new weatherman after letting Mike Janssen go"

Don't scratch your head too much. It is all about the money. Janssen made to much money. How many times does it have to be said this is why it happening? When I was in radio this is why I avoided people. I was management for many years. You tell them and they still ask are you sure or talk right past you.

Re: WGN-TV hires new weatherman after letting Mike Janssen go

Posted by WYTZZ95FM User icon on September 5, 2026, 7:53 pm, in reply to "Re: WGN-TV hires new weatherman after letting Mike Janssen go"

TheGhostOfWCBR, the masses do not understand. I am ok with that. I have major issues with the ones that are cocky, have attitudes, arrogant, will not learn and do not know to say sorry or, thank you for helping. I might be abrasive, but you can look back I do compliment when it is warranted, even for those people.

You are correct, Janssen was making too much money. There are less and less opportunities for these people being let go. Where have Dean Richards and Paul Lesniak ended up at since being let go? Nexstar can rehire at lower rates and positions now that the merger was approved, even if it is being disputed in courts. Janssen can be on air and stay relevant until his next gig shows up. Win Win. No head scratching needed. Business 101.

Z

Re: WGN-TV hires new weatherman after letting Mike Janssen go

Posted by ABRockNJock User icon on September 5, 2026, 10:03 pm, in reply to "Re: WGN-TV hires new weatherman after letting Mike Janssen go"

As far as I know, neither Dean Richards nor Paul Lisnek have resurfaced anywhere else since they were laid off by WGN 9/Nexstar. Same for Mike Janssen.

There is something I’m not 100% sure. I don’t know if those who are laid off from a job in media have to remain off the air for a certain amount of time before they can resurface elsewhere.

Needless to say, there have quite a few layoffs & corporate cutbacks, regardless of outlet. That’s the part I’m not sure about.

Re: WGN-TV hires new weatherman after letting Mike Janssen go

Posted by WYTZZ95FM User icon on September 5, 2026, 10:37 pm, in reply to "Re: WGN-TV hires new weatherman after letting Mike Janssen go"

ABRockNJock, lot of times they do have non compete clauses in their contracts. It is very possible being blown out like that if they did not get severance, the non complete is not enforceable.

Concerning Paul and Dean, both very solid media folk, their age and niched roles @ WGN, limits their opportunities. Men and worse with women. Think about it, how many female anchors and news people do you see in their 70s? 60s? Men, yes in the past. Kalber (The BIG Tuna!), Drury, Daly, Flynn, Kurtis. Women for a long time were the "eye candy" and were expected to be younger. Older Men on air were seasoned and experienced. Media is cruel.

Z

Re: WGN-TV hires new weatherman after letting Mike Janssen go

Posted by ABRockNJock User icon on September 5, 2026, 11:34 pm, in reply to "Re: WGN-TV hires new weatherman after letting Mike Janssen go"

Z, I don’t see anchors on my newscasts anymore that are older than I am, let alone old enough to be my father or grandfather. Both of whom have passed away.

I am old enough to remember when the likes of John Drury, Fahey Flynn, Joel Daly, Floyd Kalber, Carol Marin, Ron Magers & Joan Esposito anchored newscasts in this city. Those times are long gone now.

Re: WGN-TV hires new weatherman after letting Mike Janssen go

Posted by WYTZZ95FM User icon on September 6, 2026, 2:11 pm, in reply to "Re: WGN-TV hires new weatherman after letting Mike Janssen go"

Joan Esposito, that is another good name. By being on WCPT allows her to be more genuine than just reporting news. WCPT is actually one of the last spots on the radio or TV that local anchors can be who they want to be and not expected to follow a clock or a list of things from a consultant or station manager.

Z

Re: WGN-TV hires new weatherman after letting Mike Janssen go

Posted by ABRockNJock User icon on September 8, 2026, 2:58 pm, in reply to "Re: WGN-TV hires new weatherman after letting Mike Janssen go"

I don't think Joan Esposito was that old when she left NBC 5 in 1999. I think she was in her early to late 50s when she left the NBC Universal-owned station.

I think long before Allison Rosati became principal co-anchor following the Jerry Springer/Ron Magers/Carol Marin fiasco in 1997, Esposito was said to be groomed as Marin's heir apparant at the anchor desk. I think Rosati's been at NBC 5 herself for...35 years?!

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