August 2008 - Irish American News

34 IRISH AMERICAN NEWS August 2008TheIrish RoverBy James McClureIrish Eye and Ear on Chicago NewsOne of the legendary keys of successin the broadcast news businessis never sounding like you left theChicago area, supposedly the bestnon-accent for news.It comes somewhat easily forWBBM Newsradio’s Mary FrancesBragiel, a native of the northwest suburbansuburb of Arlington Heightswho has worked in television inColorado, Virginia and Chicago as ageneral assignment reporter. You canoften hear her reports on weeknightsand weekends on Newsradio 780AM, and from time to time she stillappears on television, giving livereports on breaking crime stories tothe likes of Nancy Grace on CNN andGreta Van Susteren on FOX News.“You never know what each daywill bring in the news business, that’swhat I love about it.” Rubbing elbowswith legal commentators comesnaturally to the former paralegal whogrew up leaning on the advice of herfather, a corporate lawyer in Chicago.Ultimately the law wasn’t for her, TheGeorge Washington University gradreturned to Chicago from WashingtonD.C. at the age of 30 with the yen tostart a new career in broadcast journalism,an age when most journalistsare hanging up their spikes.They Say ThirtyIs the New TwentyAnd so eight years after graduationand stints in law and public relationsin D.C., Bragiel found herself back inChicago under a familiar roof.“I did the whole bit some collegekids do when they get out of college,only this time as an adult living at homewith my parents, getting a part time jobwaiting for my big break in television.”Bragiel got a paying internship behindthe scenes at WGN Radio workingwith one of Chicago’s most famousradio newspeople, Lyle Dean.“Lyle would let me do some voicetracks from time to time and I’mglad my Dad got to hear me beforehe passed away.” A fatal heart attacktook him away but in two weeks heranswer to prayer from a HeavenlyFather came. Her first full time onairjob as a television reporter in tinyGrand Junction, Colorado. She wentwithout looking back.“I’m a practicing Catholic and faithis important to me. It has given me astrength of knowing that things happenfor a reason and God is behindit if you trust him.”Ski resort Grand Junction is a longway from the bright lights and big storiesof Chicago. “I think I can do withoutthat much snow for the rest of mylife,” laughs Bragiel, who would laterjump some 130 markets from the Rockiesto the Blue Ridge at the NBC stationin Roanoke, Virginia. Less snow, morepotential for the impossible dream ofgetting back home to Chicago.The usual route once you make itto a medium-sized television newsmarket is to step to a larger andnearer city…say an Indianapolis orMinneapolis…then make the needlein a haystack leap to Chicago.Blue Ridgeto Big ShouldersBragiel went back on faith to tryand make it happen, returning homeand working part-time in customer serviceat Tiffany’s on Michigan Avenueas live news trucks rolled by and shewondered if she would have one lastcrack at TV in her mid 30s. “That wasa long…nine months,” she says with anamiable sigh. 2001 wasn’t the best year,or economy, for risky career moves.“I did want to be back near myfamily if I could, I’m close to mymom and four sisters,” says Bragiel,whose roots are close to much of19th century Chicago, half Polish andhalf Irish. “My Dad was Polish, mymom’s maiden name was Finn fromkin in County Mayo and grandmotheron my mother’s side was namedO’Connell from County Wexford.One Grandfather was a policemanworking the beat at 11th and State.”Mary Frances, who went to highschool at Woodlands Academy of theSacred Heart in Lake Forest, has fondmemories of her mother making her St.Patrick’s Day lunches of Corned Beefand Cabbage and Root Beer beforeheading downtown to join Mr. Bragielfor the parade. “St. Patrick’s was alwaysa big day in our household,” she sayswith a somewhat whimsical smile. Perhapsbecause she’s not the only MaryBragiel from Arlington Heights.Mary Frances’ sisters include“Mary Katherine, Mary Ellen, MaryClare, Mary Colleen,” she notes witha bemused grin. “Mom is Mary Irene,my aunt is Mary Ann, Mom nameda rabbit Mary Doe and a horse MaryMary.” As if growing up a tall redheadwasn’t enough of an indicator.“Yes, we’re a bit Irish Catholic.” Themany Marys Bragiel even nicknamedtheir father “Mary Fred.”Many “Mary”Happy ReturnsShe attributes getting back homemore to faith than the luck of the Irish.Bragiel ended up reporting on televisionfrom Chicago for CLTV…theChicagoland television 24 hour cablestation found on most television cablesystems in the suburban area and a fewwithin the city as well. During her timethere she would also have stories of anational nature appear on CNN.Three years ago she made thejump to radio to the city’s top newsstation, where careers are measuredin decades rather than years. “I likethe stability I see there and the peopleare just wonderful. I’ve been fortunateto make and keep friends in allthe places I’ve worked.”Getting up at 3 a.m. some days,working late into the evening on others,Bragiel often sees the unfriendlyside of life with a Chicago filledwith backstabbing political storiesand crime filled streets and suburbs.Bragiel has received most nationalexposure for her continuing reportingon the story of missing Stacy Petersonwho vanished from the south suburbslast year, the second of former BolingbrookPolice Sgt. Drew Peterson’swives to meet an uncertain end.The notorious case has brought areturn to television, and national attentionfor Bragiel. Whenever there’s abreak or a twist in the case she usuallyends up on TV commenting nationwideon MSNBC, CNN or FOX in heroff-radio hours, a six-foot tall veteranback on the small screen. “They liketo turn to radio reporters,” she explains.“The television reporters are usuallytied up with their own broadcasts.”The Honking DrewPeterson’s cat and mouse gamewith reporters and lawyers was mostlikely the reason Bragiel had a verynoisy addition to her live nationaltelevision report for Fox News’ GretaVan Susteren on May 21st.BRAGIEL: Oh, apparently -- apparently,that is Drew’s car, I’m toldby neighbors. So obviously, Drewmay be watching this program rightnow and we’re talking about him andtalking about today’s events, so...VAN SUSTEREN: My moneyis on it that Drew has hit the -- hashit the key and sounded the alarm.That’s a riot.BRAGIEL: You think so? Youthink -- he is a funny guy, accordingto him, and this is how he handlesthe stress.“Yeah he set the car alarm off onpurpose,” says Bragiel, who thinksStacy may never be found but ifPeterson is ultimately charged withmurder, it will be for the mysteriousbathtub death of his third wife. “Theevidence is gathered and analyzed,now it’s up to the grand jury.”Bragiel, like so many reportersthat have juggled in the Petersonmedia circus, has had some interestingencounters with Peterson on andoff camera. “Usually I talk to himby phone when I’m working a story.You can see how he could be verycharming and witty, especially to ayounger woman. One time it got alittle creepy when he first wanted toknow what I was wearing.”Clothed inMercy and GraceThe reporter wears many hatswhen not on the airwaves. She is especiallyactive in volunteering throughher near north Catholic parish and itsoutreach to the homeless, as well asbaking for the Misericordia Heart ofMercy Home for the developmentallydisabled in Chicago while servingas a member of the Misericordia’sWoman’s Auxiliary Board.“I work with, meet and servesome truly wonderful people volunteering.I think single people withno children should make the time toreach out for others.”After 12 years in the rough andtough news business, Braigiel seemsto have softened a bit the past fewyears. She keeps a competitive edgerunning and training for an upcominghalf-marathon, but the dog-eat-dogworld of news seems far away whenshe talks animatedly about the peopleand purpose in her life of late.A matter of faith? “It’s a matter ofrealizing how blessed I have been, andknowing that with a slight change incircumstances I too could have endedup in a tough spot. We all can.”In a fast-paced, high profile careerMary Frances Bragiel beams when shetalks about where her life’s journey hastaken her. Much more joyful in personthan her often sober and staid on-airdemeanor, it’s clear she’s excited aboutlife back home in Chicago and perhapsyet another Mary down the road.