Jennifer Lyons Named WGN-TV News Director

Jennifer Lyons has been named news director of Tribune-owned CW affiliate WGN Chicago (DMA 3) effective immediately. She succeeds Greg Caputo who retired at the end of June after serving as news director for almost 12 years. (Lyons worked under him since 2008.)

A 21-year veteran of WGN News, Lyons has worked in a variety of capacities at the station.  In November 2008, she became assistant news director, responsible for managing and leading the news-gathering and production process for WGN-TV, website WGNtv.com and for cable-only CLTV.

Lyons has handled virtually every job in the news department during her tenure.

Before her role as assistant news director, she was executive producer of the WGN Morning and Midday News.  Lyons led the conversion of the traditional broadcast newsroom into a multiplatform digital operation by enabling and organizing the distribution of content to a variety of digital outlets.

Under her leadership, WGN began to live stream its news programming online and to all mobile devices. She is also heavily involved in the creation and continuing development of WGNtv.com and mobile apps.

Prior to WGN, Lyons worked at WHO Des Moines, Iowa, where she produced several newscasts. While at KWQC Davenport, Iowa, she created the 6:30 a.m. newscast. Lyons started her career in Des Moines as a photographer and live truck operator.

She received her B.A. in journalism/mass communication from Iowa State University.