More layoffs in local news: Fox 32 part ways with anchor, producer
Comes after WGN layoffs
[Editor’s Note: This post was updated on March 7 at 10:30 a.m.]
As reported by the Sun-Times Thursday night, Fox-owned WFLD-TV/Fox 32 parted ways with anchor Scott Schneider after a decade, and executive news producer Marissa Rubino.
Schneider has co-anchored the 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. newscasts with Dawn Hasbrouck since late 2023, succeeding the now-retired Corey McPherrin. Schneider had been with the station for nearly a decade; Rubino had been with Fox 32 for seven years.
There is no word on who would replace Schneider or Rubino.
The station also confirmed to the Sun-Times Friday that longtime anchor/reporter Roseanne Tellez was out, as her contract wasn’t renewed.
This comes after Nexstar-owned WGN-TV laid off nine anchors and reporters last week, including 5 and 9 p.m. anchor Ray Cortopassi. Now, neither 9 p.m. newscast has a regular co-anchor, with Micah Materre anchoring the 9 and 10 p.m. newscasts solo (ironically, a brief clip of Materre hosting a Boys & Girls Club event appeared on Fox 32 Thursday night).
The changes come months after Sean O’Heir took over as news director last September. Since then, he has hired new reporters Leslie Moreno from WUSA Washington, D.C., (who co-anchored with Hasbrouck Thursday night) and Brett Burganski from WCPO Cincinnati. One prominent reporter who is no longer with the station is Nate Rodgers, who was fired last year after appearing at a rally where he introduced Mayor Brandon Johnson.
The station is also searching for a new sports anchor to replace Lou Canellis, who departed Fox 32 last month for NBC-owned WMAQ-TV/NBC 5 in the same capacity. Fox 32 posted a public job listing last month for a lead sports anchor, indicating that current sports anchors Carrie Carlson and Tina Nguyen are unlikely to be considered.
O’Heir has stated he would implement some changes at Fox 32 and “experiment”. But so far, the results have been uneven, with Chicago Sports Tonight and The Chicago Report partially being “stripped”, meaning the shows aren’t airing every weeknight. One such experiment is the Fox Chicago Playlist that airs on sister station WPWR-TV weeknights from 6-9 p.m.
These latest layoffs come as local broadcasters across the country are grappling with future changes amid more media consolidation, as streaming is gaining more and more market share by the day. Mergers between Nexstar and Tegna and Paramount and Warner Bros. are all but certain to be approved by the government, and sadly, will result in tons of job losses (and we still don’t know how CBS News’ new directon would impact CBS Chicago, either through possible layoffs or ideological changes – meaning you might not see investigative reporting like this any more.)
Even though broadcasters have pledged to “save local news” and jobs through further consolidation, the opposite is happening.
I admit I have not watched FOX32 for news in ages. I think the last time was when Walter Jacobson and Robin Robinson were the co-anchors. I am sad to read that WFLD did not renew the contract for Roseanne Tellez. I had always enjoyed her work going back to when she first joined WGN-TV Channel 9. Too bad WGN had their recent job cuts as it would have been nice to see Tellez get re-hired by WGN News.
i ALWAYS enjoyed Roseanne Tellez’ reporting!!! I will miss seeing her on the news.
Roseanne Tellez is a MILF
They should get rid of Terrence Lee find someone who can do the NEWS without giggling like a little girl
Terrence Lee was much more serious when he was new to Fox32. Too bad he glommed on to happy talk.
Anyone could see the flirting between Terrence and Anita during their stint on the morning show. I’m glad they separated those two because they were toxic to the entire crew. Silvia Perez looks rejuvenated not dealing with Anita.
🇺🇸 Anita needs to go. She’s too giggly. There’s something about her that seems so smug ! Her n Terrance both, too much smugness ! Get rid of her and bring back Tellez ! Why was Scott Schneider let go ? I enjoyed him and Dawn together. Your trying so hard to be so diverse, you are alienating us older folks. 🇺🇸
I so agree.
Wow
Agreed. Him and his colleagues with all the ongoing giggles and especially as they are still heard as they’re Segway for a commercial break. They are becoming to comfortable while working on air – its not their tv show.
fire Terrence Lee the giggler he screws around to much to be taken seriously
Pretty sad about the shake up at the station.
We love Fox News!
I actually stopped watching the morning news when the hired Anita. She doesn’t fit.