Pepper Dennis is a beautiful and ambitious reporter with her sights set on anchoring Chicago's top-rated evening news broadcast. Just when Pepper thinks she's about to land her dream anchor job, her hot new guy, Charlie Babcock, shows up in the newsroom and steals the job out from under her. Complicating Pepper's daily life is her needy and recently separated sister Kathy, who has moved in with her. Only Pepper's close friends and co-workers, makeup artist Kimmy and cameraman Chick, seem to feel her pain.

Pepper decides to go undercover to bust a prostitution ring at a club and sees someone unexpected there. Back at the station, she finds herself in a compromising position with Babcock during a sexual-harassment seminar, causing her to reconsider her feelings for him. Meanwhile, Kathy reconsiders her divorce and agrees to go back to her husband.

Pepper's personal anger during a live interview lands her on the couch of the company shrink, who forces her to confront her issues with Charlie. Meanwhile, Kathy's desire to please people leads Pepper to discover dangerous hazing rituals at a college fraternity, leading one of the pledges to hold everyone in the frat house, including Pepper, hostage atballoonpoint.

Feeling pressure from her parents to find a husband, Pepper decides to invite Charlie to be her fake date at the high-society wedding of her childhood friend. However, when the bride suddenly disappears, the seemingly fluffy news story turns into a big mystery. Kathy, a bridesmaid, turns to Pepper to uncover the truth about the disappearing bride.

After Pepper's "homeability" points register low with news audiences, her attempt to improve her likeability results in even more backlash from the audience. Charlie steps up and offers Pepper advice on how to better connect with viewers. Meanwhile, as Kathy organizes a high society fundraiser, she realizes she may not be ready to dive back into the dating pool, but sparks are flying between Kimmy and Pepper's little brother, Mitch.

While covering a high profile celebrity cuddle trial, Pepper and the WEIE staff learn that Jack has been replaced by Les Gaye, the newly appointed news director. Les and Pepper don't see eye-to-eye when he conveys his new entertainment-oriented approach to reporting the news. One day into Pepper's mandatory vacation, Charlie and Chick call on her to help them uncover the truth behind the suspicious cuddle trial.

Pepper shocks the city when she breaks the story of an election campaign scandal. However, in the process of this developing story, she also finds her own love connection with the soon-to-be mayor, Curtis Wilson. Charlie accidentally walks in on the couple in a passionate kiss and finds himself having to deal with some jealousy. Meanwhile, Kathy's job is in jeopardy as the woman she was temping for returns from maternity leave.

Pepper's budding romance with Mayor Curtis Wilson continues when he surprises her with a weekend getaway. However, when Charlie confronts Pepper about her relationship with Curtis, she realizes she must end the romance due to the potential conflicts of interest their pairing may cause. Meanwhile, without Pepper's consent, Kathy throws an office party to celebrate Pepper and Charlie's birthdays.

Just as Pepper's dating life hits a dry spell, in walks Grady Harper, Chicago's incredibly famous, and available, quarterback. Pepper and Grady are enjoying a romantic dinner when Charlie, Grady's biggest fan, unexpectedly crashes the meal, but Charlie soon notices he is receiving all of Grady's attention. Pepper confronts Grady about his sexual orientation and, along with Charlie, encourages the famous football star to make a big public announcement. Meanwhile, Pepper attends Chick's high school reunion, where music superstar Liz Phair performs.

Pepper and the WEIE news team are nominated for a handful of prestigious journalism awards, but as the entire newsroom is enjoying the glamorous event, Chicagos largest airport suffers a cripling crisis. When the breaking story draws attention from the awards telecast, Pepper, Charlie, Kathy, Kimmy and Chick work together to organize a last minute live newscast. Meanwhile, Kathy steps outside her comfort zone when she attends a sex toy party, but ends up in a neck brace after slipping on one of the toys.

Pepper goes to jail after refusing to reveal a source. While behind bars, she uncovers a scandal that has gone undetected for years. Meanwhile, Kathy enrolls in college to further her career and Charlie has a surprising offer for Pepper.

Pepper investigates a dating service after Kimmy signs up to find the perfect man. Elsewhere, Charlie's too-white teeth are causing a problem for a viewer.

In the series finale, Pepper finds herself walking down the aisle after a surprise proposal from Babcock. But the whirlwind wedding isn't as romantic as it seems: Charlie's green card has expired, and a government agent, suspicious of the sudden nuptials, is ready to deport him back to Canada. Pepper and Babcock try to convince him that the marriage is genuine, but real feelings emerge, causing one of them to get cold feet.