Director's Cut Blog with Frank Macek

By Frank Macek In an age when trust in the media feels like it’s collapsing under its own weight, local television news still manages to stand tall. National networks are often viewed through partisan lenses, and social media has become a noisy, confusing stream of half-truths and hot takes.  Yet when a storm rolls in, when a city council vote affects taxes, or when there’s an emergency unfolding down the street, viewers still turn to their local newscast. That quiet, enduring trust may be local TV’s greatest remaining asset — but it’s also one that needs careful protection if it’s going to last. The numbers tell a revealing story. Surveys over the past year show that local television remains one of the most trusted news sources in America. Roughly three-quarters of viewers say they trust their local news stations — a significantly higher rate than national outlets or digital-only brands. Studies from the Television Bureau of Advertising (TVB) and the Radio Television Digital News ...

By Frank Macek Brandon Simmons WKYC Studios is proud to announce that Brandon Simmons has been promoted to Assistant News Director, marking an important milestone in a career built on hard work, innovation, and leadership. His journey at WKYC has been one of steady growth, defined by versatility and a deep commitment to excellence across every platform. Brandon joined WKYC in 2010 and quickly made an impression. He started as an intern, eager to learn the fast-paced world of television news, and moved through the ranks to become a key member of the assignment desk. There, he developed a sharp sense for breaking stories and a deep understanding of how a newsroom operates. His ability to stay calm under pressure and think strategically made him a trusted teammate early on. When he transitioned into reporting, Brandon’s storytelling skills and technical understanding came together seamlessly. He brought empathy and professionalism to every story, connecting with audiences while breaking d...

By Frank Macek Kristen Mirand A new face has joined the WKYC newsroom, and I think viewers are really going to like her. Kristen Mirand is her name, and she comes to Cleveland after spending the last few years in Buffalo, where she worked as a reporter and anchor at WKBW, the station in her hometown.  It’s always special when a journalist gets to cover the community that raised them, but Kristen is ready for a new challenge and new stories here in Northeast Ohio. Kristen has already built a reputation as a reporter who doesn’t shy away from tough stories. In Buffalo, she was trusted with breaking news coverage, and her work showed a clear comfort with being on the front lines when the big stories happened. Before returning home, she spent two years in Lynchburg, Virginia, working for WSET, where she covered a wide range of local issues. That role gave her the kind of foundation every journalist needs early in their career: a chance to learn how to juggle everything from crime and c...

By Frank Macek WKYC Studios has these job openings available if you are looking for a rewarding career experience with us at TEGNA Media's Cleveland location. We've also now added opportunities for our sister TEGNA stations in Columbus and Toledo, Ohio courtesy of the Director's Cut Blog. Current WKYC/Cleveland Job Openings Account Executive   Multiskilled Journalist   Current WBNS/Columbus Job Openings Managing Editor Multi-Skilled Journalist Current WTOL/Toledo Job Openings Account Executive Multiskilled Journalist Producer You can also find other jobs within our parent company on the  TEGNA Career Page . Please note, you must apply via the website. Mailed applications are not accepted. Follow Frank Macek for new postings on X  @MacekNewsNation  or on Facebook at  fb/frank.macek

By Frank Macek Television has been my world for a long time. I’ve watched it transform from the days when families gathered around a single glowing box in the living room to today’s fragmented media landscape where every person in the household streams something different on their own device. Through all the seismic changes—from cable’s rise to the digital revolution—one truth has remained constant: sports are the heartbeat of television. In this article, I want to take a closer look at why live sports remain the last great force holding broadcast TV together, how local stations like WKYC depend on them for survival, and where the future may be headed as streaming giants try to chip away at the very foundation of television’s most loyal audience. The Power of Live Events When you think about it, most television can be consumed on your own schedule. Miss last night’s episode of your favorite drama? Fire up Hulu, Peacock, or Paramount+ and you’re caught up. Want to binge an entire se...

By Frank Macek Viewers across Northeast Ohio have been reaching out with thoughtful questions about WKYC and the future of local television. Here are five of the most common—and my answers. 1. “Why has WKYC had such a big turnover of anchors and reporters lately?” — Sarah, Parma My Answer: Turnover is nothing new in TV news, but it feels faster today. Reporters often see Cleveland as a stepping stone to larger markets. At the same time, tighter budgets mean fewer long-term contracts, so staff changes happen more quickly. WKYC is far from alone in this—it’s an industry-wide trend. Just in the past couple of years, familiar faces like Matt Rascon, Kaitor Kay, Stacia Naquin, Jiovanni Leggi, Bryan McCray, Bri Buckley, and even evening anchor Laura Caso have moved on. Some left for bigger opportunities, others for different career paths, and a few for personal reasons. It’s a reminder of how fluid this business really is.

By Frank Macek Jasmine Monroe. Courtesy First Coast News If you worked a morning shift in Cleveland over the last decade, chances are you started your day with Jasmine Monroe’s energy lighting up the screen.  She was a spark in 3News’ early hours—nimble in breaking news, generous with community features, and quick with a smile that telegraphed warmth as much as authority. Then she stepped away from local air—off on a new chapter that, true to form, has been ambitious and purpose-driven. So where is Jasmine Monroe now, and how did she get there? Monroe closed her WKYC chapter in the spring of 2022 with an on-air farewell that felt less like a send-off and more like a thank-you from Northeast Ohio. Colleagues saluted her reportorial chops and her bond with viewers; the goodbye underscored how thoroughly she had woven herself into the market’s morning fabric.  Her next stop: Florida’s capital. In October 2022, Monroe joined WTXL (ABC 27) in Tallahassee as a morning anchor on th...

By Frank Macek The announcement that Nexstar Media Group and TEGNA have reached a deal to merge by the second half of 2026 has sent shockwaves through the broadcasting world. On paper, it is a simple story of consolidation: the nation’s largest local broadcaster buying another major group to expand its footprint even further.  But beneath the headlines lies a much more complicated tale of politics, law, and regulatory maneuvering that will determine whether this megadeal actually happens. For Nexstar and TEGNA, the road to the altar is anything but straightforward, and the forces lining up for and against it reveal how much the future of local television hangs in the balance. At its core, the Nexstar-TEGNA deal is about scale. Together, the two companies would own around 265 television stations, reaching nearly 80 percent of U.S. television households. That is an extraordinary figure, one that dwarfs competitors like Sinclair, Gray, and Paramount Global. The problem is obvious: t...

By Frank Macek When the digital television transition arrived in the United States back in 2009, it carried with it a promise of endless possibility. Broadcasters were no longer bound by the limitations of analog signals. With the flip to digital, every station suddenly had the ability to transmit not just its main channel, but multiple additional channels through the magic of digital compression.  The concept of the subchannel was born. For viewers, it meant more programming choices without paying a larger bill, and for broadcasters, it looked like an untapped revenue stream waiting to be exploited. In those early days, the airwaves were flooded with new names like MeTV, Antenna TV, Cozi TV, This TV, Grit, Bounce, Laff, Heroes & Icons, and Comet. These networks were programmed primarily with reruns of classic television shows, low-cost syndicated programming, and specialty movies. For audiences, it was suddenly possible to watch The Andy Griffith Show , M A S H*, or I Love Lu...

By Frank Macek In local television, it is rare to find someone balancing two demanding careers with equal passion, but Mike Joyce has carved out a path that does exactly that. By weekday, he is a high school science teacher guiding students through biology and environmental science.  Mike Joyce. Courtesy LinkedIn By weekend, he moonlights as a meteorologist, and has joined us for a while at WKYC, where viewers have been introduced to a new face who blends credibility with enthusiasm. His journey, stretching from small-market weather desks to the classroom and back onto larger broadcast platforms, tells the story of someone who has never stopped chasing his love of science and communication. Joyce’s career path began after he earned a degree in Atmospheric Sciences from Ohio State University in 2012. Shortly after graduation, he entered the field at WMFD-TV in Mansfield, Ohio, where he also provided forecasts for Mix 106.1 FM. That early experience led him to WFMJ-TV in Youngstown,...

Editor Note; This is the official press release issued from TEGNA that explains today's announcement of the acquisition of TEGNA by Nexstar Media. TEGNA currently owns WKYC-TV in the Cleveland market, while Nexstar owns WJW-TV and WBNX-TV. ------ IRVING, Texas and TYSONS, Virginia – Nexstar Media Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: NXST) (“Nexstar”) and TEGNA Inc. (NYSE: TEGNA) (“TEGNA”) announced today that they entered into a definitive agreement (the “Agreement”) whereby, subject to regulatory approvals, Nexstar will acquire all outstanding shares of TEGNA for $22.00 per share in a cash transaction valued at $6.2 billion, inclusive of TEGNA’s net debt and estimated transaction fees and expenses. The purchase price represents a 31% premium to TEGNA’s average 30-day average stock price ending August 8, 2025, the last closing stock price prior to media reports of a potential transaction. Following completion of the transaction, the combined entity will be a leading local media company, well-posi...

By Frank Macek Ever wonder what really goes on behind the scenes at WKYC? In this edition of  Hey Frank! , I’m answering real questions from viewers across Northeast Ohio—no scripts, just straight talk. From how stories are picked to whether automation runs the newsroom, you asked, and I’m here to break it all  down. Let’s dive in.

By Frank Macek Chris Renkel has quickly become a familiar face to Cleveland sports fans since joining the 3News team in September 2024. For him, this is more than just a new job—it’s a homecoming. Born and raised in Westlake, Ohio, Chris grew up surrounded by the rich sports culture of Northeast Ohio. The Browns, Cavaliers, and Guardians were more than just teams on TV; they were part of the daily conversation, the shared experiences that knit communities together.  Chris Renkel That lifelong connection to local sports shapes everything about his approach on air. When he’s at the anchor desk or out in the field, Chris speaks not just as a journalist but as someone who knows what it’s like to sit in the stands, cheer from the couch, and feel the sting of a tough loss or the joy of a last-second win. His passion for sports has always been personal, and that authenticity is one of the first things viewers notice. Chris doesn’t just read the highlights; he brings them to life with th...