Suppelsa joins Ch. 9

WGN-TV Channel 9 has hired Mark Suppelsa as it plans to expand its newscasts this fall.

Suppelsa, who previously spent five years at Fox's WFLD-TV Channel 32 and a decade at NBC's WMAQ-TV Channel 5, will join Channel 9 later this month. He'll be co-anchor alongside Allison Payne on the "WGN News at Nine." They'll also anchor a new 5:30 p.m. weekday newscast debuting in September.

Steve Sanders will be shifted to Channel 9's midday newscast, which will be expanded to 90 minutes starting at 11:30 a.m. also in September.

"I am thrilled to be able to join WGN-TV," Suppelsa said. "WGN holds a special place in the history and tradition of Chicago news, and their expansion plans are in keeping with that tradition and I consider myself fortunate to become part of it."

Suppelsa left Channel 32 earlier this year when his contract ran out; he waited for a 90-day clause allowing the station to match a new offer to expire. In the meantime, he's been serving as news anchor on Eric Ferguson and Kathy Hart's WTMX 101.9-FM morning show.