Fox 32 Chicago fires anchor Scott Schneider, executive producer Marissa Rubino in latest moves

Fox 32 fired anchor Scott Schneider and executive producer Marissa Rubino on Thursday night, the Sun-Times has learned, the latest in a series of changes at the station.

Though sources were unaware of the reason for the dismissals, they followed the hiring of four reporters and a producer in the last month. Fox 32 vice president of news content and programming Sean O’Heir appears to be remaking the newsroom since taking the title in September. Schneider, who anchored the 5 and 9 p.m. newscasts, had been with the station for 10 years, and Rubino for almost seven. Messages left for Fox Television Stations' communications department weren't returned.

“Marissa was an extremely hard-working and dedicated news producer who wore so many hats in the newsroom,” a source said. “It will be very hard to replace her.”

Fox 32 is still without a lead sports anchor after Lou Canellis left for NBC 5 in late January. Cassie Carlson and Tina Nguyen appear to be sharing the role while the station seeks a potential hire.

It aleady has been a volatile year for Chicago TV newscasts. NBC 5 fired sports anchor Mike Berman in January before hiring Canellis. Last month, WGN let go of nine on-air talents and several behind-the-scenes staffers as part of broadcaster Nexstar's nationwide cuts. Now Fox 32 is making changes.