Back at CBS 2, weatherman Curran enjoys ‘warm reception’

Ed Curran

More than two years after he left WBBM-Channel 2 in a contract dispute, Chicago broadcast veteran Ed Curran is back on the CBS-owned station — and very happy about it.

It’s just a temporary gig for now, but Curran’s comeback as fill-in meteorologist marks a return to television following a nine-month detour at Merlin Media all-news WIQI-FM (101.1). His afternoon news anchor position was eliminated last month in a budget cutback at the struggling radio news operation.

At CBS 2, he’ll be filling in Friday for morning meteorologist Megan Glaros, who was hospitalized this week with issues related to her pregnancy with twins, according to her Facebook posts. Curran also will be working Saturday and Sunday night newscasts this weekend.

Curran ended an eight-year run at the station in March 2010. He chose to sit out the remaining 14 months on his contract after reportedly turning down a renewal for less money. He previously worked as meteorologist and technology reporter for NBC-owned WMAQ-Channel 5 and Tribune Co.-owned WGN-Channel 9.

"It's wonderful to be invited back to fill in at WBBM,” Curran told me. “Visiting the station Tuesday, and coming in to work on Wednesday, I got a really warm reception from all my friends there. So many of these people have had such a positive impact on my career in TV. WBBM has a solid news product and I look forward to helping out any way I can.”

In the two weeks since he left FM News 101.1, Curran seems busier than ever. In addition to his work at CBS 2, he has filled in for John Howell as morning host at Salem Communications’ news/talk WIND-AM (560), and he has been invited back to fill in as news anchor at Tribune-owned news/talk WGN-AM (720). He’s also working on a weekly tech report for a nationally syndicated television show and doing voice-over for a professional trade organization video.

With more than 30 years of experience in the market and a well-earned reputation as a solid professional, Curran is last guy who should have been cut from FM News 101.1. But he harbors no bitterness and expressed no regrets.

"WIQI has a staff of hard working, passionate people in the newsroom who I miss working with,” he said. “I appreciate having had the opportunity to help launch FM News, but I can't dwell on the past. If I spend a lot of time looking in my rear view mirror, I'll miss the really great stuff right up ahead."