WGN Morning News Blog

It's very hard to write about anything light and funny so soon after last Friday. Not that Randy Salerno was a close friend of mine. I barely knew him in person. We met a couple of times while I was a general assignment at Univision/Chicago. He was always cordial.

I knew Randy more by word of mouth. Even if it sounds corny, the WGN newsroom is like a family and Randy was a beloved relative. And since I've been at the station, I've heard a lot of stories about his excellent news reporting and anchoring style. But even sweeter are the stories about the kind human being he was. Friday, from former interns to anchors were deeply affected by his passing because, as everyone said, he was one of a kind.

As the new kid on the block, since I've only been at WGN 2 and half years, I felt so bad for my coworkers and friends. I admire the work all of them did to keep the show going on Friday, while being overwhelmed by sadness. Even today, I could tell, was a hard day to face. I think what pulls them through is all those wonderful memories they have of Randy.

I think all of Chicago, myself included, feels heartbroken by the untimely death of a talented man who always put his family first. So for this Monday, I could not blog about anything else, but send my deepest sympathy to his family and friends, both at WGN and at home.