Ray Stevens Back on Mornings at WLS-AM, Chicago; Steve Cochran Exits
Cumulus Media made sweeping changes to news/talk WLS-AM, Chicago on Friday as it dropped the Steve Cochran morning drive show, “The Closing Bell” and “PM Chicago” and brings Ramblin’ Ray Stevens back to host the new morning show. The station also moves Westwood One’s Michael Knowles and Matt Walsh into the PM drive hours where “The Closing Bell” and “PM Chicago” had aired. The morning drive change
also affects air personalities Andrea Darlas and Jane Clauss, but it appears Darlas will continue with the station for weekends and her podcast. WLS-AM program director Stephanie Tichenor says, “Ray has been part of the fabric of ‘The Big 89’ for years. We’re thrilled to have him back in morning drive on 890 WLS-AM.” Stevens comments, “I am beyond ecstatic to be back doing mornings at WLS and 890 in my hometown. Special thanks to Marv Nyren and Stephanie Tichenor for having faith and believing in me. Also special thanks to KCMO’s Donna Baker and Pete Mundo who’ve let me work middays at the radio station for the better part of the year. I can’t wait to get to work and be on the air at the legendary 890 WLS-AM talking NASCAR, politics, football, and everything that makes us the greatest city in the world!”
of local, national, and global business news as he chats with Chicago’s small businesses, entrepreneurs, and CEOs. Alongside news anchors Kim Gordon, Nick Gale, and Annie Krall, Gogoel shares the latest tech, consumer, and local business news, and why it matters to Chicagoans and their wallets. On the drive 
home each weekday from 4:00 pm-5:00 pm, host Bret Gogoel and the WLS Newsroom team share Chicago’s local news that matters on ‘PM Chicago.’ From politics and education to crime and health, ‘PM Chicago’ shines the spotlight on local stories that are important to Chicagoans, with reports from Kim Gordon, Nick Gale, and Annie Krall. WLS-AM program director Stephanie Tichenor states, “I am delighted to be adding local news and business programs for our listeners in the afternoons. Bret has risen through the ranks at WLS from a part-time board operator to news anchor and host and he is the perfect fit to helm these new offerings.”