Mary Dixon Joins WBEZ/Chicago

• We are happy to report that Mary Dixon, former longtime morning news anchor on Entercom Triple A WXRT/Chicago has landed safely across the street — RAMP has confirmed that Dixon is joining NPR affiliate WBEZ 91.5 as morning anchor and the local host of NPR’s Morning Edition, weekdays from 5-10am, starting in February. The news of Dixon’s hire follows the November announcement that 20-year WBEZ morning anchor Lisa Labuz will transition into the midday anchor spot. Melba Lara remains as afternoon anchor weekdays from 3-7pm.

“Mary’s authentic connection to the stories, people and places that drive our region has made her a beloved and trusted morning presence on Chicago airwaves for years,” said Israel Smith, WBEZ’s Managing Director of Programming and Audience Development. “WBEZ’s audience knows Mary well, and her deep passion and journalistic curiosity about Chicago fits with bringing live news and reporting into Morning Edition each day. Mary joins Lisa and Melba to create one of the most experienced anchor line-ups in Chicago broadcasting.”

Dixon joined WXRT in 1993 and had co-hosted the morning show with Lin Brehmer until December 18, 2019, when her position was eliminated. At the same time it was announced that Brehmer and WXRT midday personality Richard Milne would soon be swapping shifts. Dixon has also been a newswriter and anchor at WMAQ Radio and a reporter with CNN’s Chicago bureau and WGN-TV.

“I’m thrilled to join the WBEZ team,” Dixon said. “As a longtime listener and supporter, I’m excited to work with such talented people who value journalism, diverse voices, and our community. I’m honored to succeed Lisa in the Morning Editionchair and hope to build on her work, being that warm, friendly, authoritative voice to wake up with. We’ll be working to keep WBEZ listeners informed and even entertained as they begin their days.”