WGN, Nexstar Media Group’s CW affiliate in Chicago, Illinois, has appointed Akemi Harrison as its director of news and multiplatform content. “As media consumption continues to evolve into a multiplatform experience, we are thrilled to have Akemi Harrison join and lead our WGN content team,” said WGN vice president and general manager Ric Harris, in a statement. “Akemi is a highly accomplished news and media executive who understands the importance of compelling storytelling and engaging audiences across all platforms.”
Harrison, who starts August 25, 2025, joins from NBC-owned WMAQ, where she served as news director, overseeing news content for both the NBC station and its sister station, WSNS (Telemundo). “I’m thrilled to join such an incredible team of journalists who have led the market in both ratings and community engagement for decades. Growing up in Mississippi, I watched WGN and never imagined I’d one day be in a leadership role there,” Harrison said in a WGN website article, referencing the station’s former national reach as a superstation. “My leadership philosophy is simple: support our incredible talent and dare to innovate. It’s an honor to build on WGN’s powerful legacy, and I’m excited to weave in a future-forward approach to ensure we continue to dominate the market,” she added.
Harrison’s career began at WAPT in Jackson, Mississippi, after transitioning from radio. She also held the position of assistant news director at WVIT (Hartford-New Haven), executive producer at WPXI (Pittsburgh), and worked at several California stations. WGN is renowned for its extensive news coverage, often surpassing national newscasts in local ratings. The station produces 72.5 hours of news weekly, the highest output among all stations in Chicago and Illinois.
Nexstar utilizes WGN’s Chicago studios for its cable news channel, NewsNation, though these operations are separately managed. The station also produces local lifestyle and sports programming. Harrison succeeds Dom Stasi, who served WGN for 12 years, including five as news director, before departing in May 2025.