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 WMAQ and sister station WSNS. “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 national reach during its superstation era. “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 positions as assistant news director at WVIT, executive producer at WPXI, and at various California stations. WGN is renowned for its extensive news coverage, frequently surpassing national newscasts in local ratings, producing 72-and-a-half hours of news weekly—the most of any station in Chicago and Illinois. Nexstar also utilizes WGN’s studios for its NewsNation cable news channel (though separately managed), alongside local lifestyle and sports programming.
Harrison succeeds Dom Stasi, who served the station for 12 years, including five as news director, before departing in May 2025.