Beginning August 16, viewers will be able to join the WGN Morning News crew a half hour earlier at 4:30am.  This added half hour, anchored by Val Warner, will feature news and traffic updates as well as weather with Paul Konrad.  Then, starting at 5am, co-anchors Larry Potash and Robin Baumgarten will be joined by the rest of the WGN Morning News team:  Paul Konrad on weather, Val Warner on traffic, Pat Tomasulo on sports, Dean Richards on entertainment and Ana Belaval will be checking out the latest happenings (between 7-9am) in Around Town segments. 

“It’s been six years since we’ve last expanded WGN Morning News,” commented Greg Caputo, WGN News Director. “Commuters are hitting the roads earlier and viewers are getting and consuming their news via many sources.  We continue to evolve with our audience and offer viewers a first look at the day’s news, weather, traffic and sports.”

On September 6, 1994, WGN-TV launched WGN Morning News from 7-8am. It quickly became a critical and ratings success.  In January 1996, the show expanded to two hours, and eight months later, expanded again to air from 6-9am.  In January 2001, the show launched an early edition at 5:30am.  In January 2004, the show expanded to begin at 5am.  On September 6, 2009, WGN Morning News celebrated its 15^th Anniversary.