Curran To Join News Lineup At Merlin's 101.1 FM

From Robert Feder at Time Out Chicago

Ed Curran, a veteran of Chicago radio and television for more than 30 years, is the latest and most prominent local personality to join the startup news operation now under construction at the former Q101.

Curran most recently has been filling in as a news anchor and reporter at Tribune-owned news/talk WGN-AM (720) while sitting out the 14 months that remained on his contract as meteorologist and technology reporter at CBS 2. (He left the station in March 2010 after turning down a new contract for less money.) Last week Curran notified WGN that he’d accepted an on-air position with Merlin Media.

Headed by former Tribune Co. CEO Randy Michaels, Merlin Media took control last week of WKQX-FM (101.1) and WLUP-FM (97.9) from Emmis Communications, with plans to convert the former modern rock Q101 to a unique form of FM news early next month. Music and other stunting will ensue in the meantime.

The Loop is expected to retain its classic rock format.

At 101.1 FM, Curran is expected to be reunited with several of his WGN colleagues, including former news director Charlie Meyerson and former news anchor and reporter Rob Hart.

Also joining the on-air news lineup at 101.1 FM will be at least two staffers from Oprah Winfrey’s Harpo Radio. Scott Miller, who most recently was producer of The Gayle King Show, once worked as producer and sidekick to midday host Pete McMurray on former FM talker WCKG. And Katherine Kelly, who most recently was operations manager of Harpo Radio, previously was morning producer and news anchor at CBS Radio country WUSN-FM (99.5).

Read More.