NEW: Radio Host Jim Polito to Leave WTAG for FOX25

Tuesday, December 04, 2012

GoLocalWorcester News Team

Flickr/cogdogblog

Jim Polito will be leaving his morning radio show on WTAG in Worcester to take an on-air position with FOX 25 in Boston, GoLocalWorcester has learned.

Polito will be offering up political commentary for the 6p.m. and 10p.m. newscasts, according to friends of his radio program. He is set to start in the new position on Monday, December 10. Friday will be Polito's last day on air in Worcester.

"Jim Polito brought a unique voice to the Worcester air waves," said Chris Pinto of the Worcester Republican City Committee. "He was a big supporter of the City of Worcester, but he has zero tolerance for the shenanigans of the 'Shamrock Club' and the liberal machinations that they get away with that have this once great city 'Circling the Drain.'"

"Jim's straight talking style is why his show was so wildly successful in Central Mass," Pinto continued. "His voice will be sorely missed and whomever replaces him will have giant shoes to fill."

Representatives for FOX25 and WTAG could not immediately be reached for comment on the staffing change, but GoLocalWorcester has learned that Polito has signed a contract with the station, and the departing radio host posted the television station's logo to his Facebook page on Monday.

A Worcester native, Polito has hosted The Jim Polito Show weekday mornings from 5 to 9a.m. on WTAG since the spring of 2008. Prior to returning to Central Mass, Polito served as the chief investigative reporter for ABC40 in Springfield.

The radio and soon-to-be television personality got his start on the air while he was a student at then-Worcester State College as the general manager of the school's radio station.

"Jim was an easy radio personality to talk with, my first," said Sharon Williamson of Worcester.

"He is conversant in many areas and has a great sense of humor. Jim was unafraid to talk about local and national politics. Sometimes he made me think, other times my head was nodding in agreement. His love of Worcester was always apparent. I will be sad that my IHeart station will be minus his sunny voice in the morning. I thank him for the wonderful work he did on WTAG. I will miss him but wish him the very best on Fox 25."