Paris Schutz joins NBC 5 on political beat
He’ll work alongside Mary Ann Ahern in yet another steal from Fox 32
In yet another coup, NBC-owned WMAQ-TV (NBC 5) announced Tuesday the hiring of Paris Schutz, who’ll be a general assignment reporter focusing on investigative and political stories starting May 4. The announcement comes only a day after Schutz left Fox-owned WFLD-TV (Fox 32) after just two years. He came to the station after fifteen years at WTTW in a variety of on-air roles, including co-anchoring Chicago Tonight.
Schutz will also work alongside longtime reporter Mary Ann Ahern on the political beat.
“NBC 5 was the news station of record in my household growing up,” said Schutz in a statement. “I fell in love with this business because I watched legends like Carol Marin, Ron Magers, Warner Saunders, Allison Rosati, Phil Rogers, Dick Kay, Chuck Goudie, and Mary Ann Ahern. I want to thank Sally Ramirez and (President & GM) Kevin Cross for giving me the opportunity to join the most dynamic multi-platform newsroom in all of Chicago. It feels like a dream come true, an epic challenge, and a homecoming all in one. I can’t wait to get to work reporting on the issues and stories that impact our lives as Chicagoans.”
“Paris has long been one of Chicago’s most trusted, deeply sourced journalists,” said Sally Ramirez, who is Senior Vice President of news at NBC 5 and Telemundo Chicago (WSNS). “His reporting is tough, fair, and drives the conversations that matter most in this city. Adding him to our newsroom strengthens our commitment to delivering essential, accountable journalism across Chicagoland.”
Schutz will also contribute to the station’s digital and social media platforms.
This is another coup for NBC 5 as they have added on-air talent during the past year. Schutz is reuniting with another ex-Fox 32 personality, Lou Canellis, who left WFLD in January to join NBC 5 after seventeen years at the station. Other recent additions include Chuck Goudie and Richard Roeper, and unveiling a new, $70 million newsroom on the second floor, in a space where Jerry Springer and other TV shows used to tape. Ratings are up at NBC 5 thanks to its parent adding more sports, including NBA, Major League Baseball, and premium events such as the Super Bowl and Winter Olympics. NBC has the rights to the 2028 Summer Games from Los Angeles. In comparison, Nexstar’s WGN-TV and Fox 32 have steadily lost talent in the last few months.
Meanwhile, Fox 32 has tapped Tia Ewing to replace Schutz as host of The Chicago Report, a show he helped create, and there is still no word on a replacement for former 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. anchor Scott Schenider, who was dropped from the station a few weeks ago.