Friday, November 30, 2007

News: Longtime WKYC cameraman retires

WKYC says goodbye this evening to longtime photographer, Joe Butano.

Joe spent 38 years as part of the WKYC family shooting many of the stories you see on "Channel 3 News" each and every day.

He has hazarded through every kind of weather - and shot video for every type of news story imagineable - fires, accidents, shootings. You name it, Joe shot it.

Still at a youthful age of 71, "Cowboy Joe" as we fondly call him plans to saddle up, take it easy and spend some time traveling with his wife.

We all wish you the best, Joe! Life at Channel 3 just won't be the same.

VIDEO FEATURE:
To see our on-air mention about Joe: CLICK HERE

Thursday, November 29, 2007

Where Are They Now: Amy Murphy (Hasten)

Former WKYC chief forecaster Amy Murphy (formerly Hasten) is our feature this time around on "Where Are They Now?".

Amy was a very popular part of WKYC's weather forecasting team during the 1990s along with Mark Nolan and Eileen McShea. After leaving Cleveland, Amy headed to Miami - then finally onward to Los Angeles where we find her these days.

Amy Murphy joined the FOX 11 and MY 13 News teams in April of 2006. You can see her regularly on FOX 11 News Saturday and Sunday editions doing the weather. She is also a general assignment reporter during the week, reporting for "FOX 11 News at 10PM," "My 13News at 11 PM" and "Good Day LA" on occasion.

Most recently Amy worked in Phoenix as the morning and noon weather forecaster and entertainment reporter. It was there that she earned two Emmy nominations for her coverage for the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.

Amy's career has spanned the country from KUSA-TV in Denver, where she was the weekend weather anchor...to Cleveland at WKYC-TV, where she served as chief forecaster for several years... and the FOX affiliate in Miami, WSVN-TV.

While in Miami, Amy covered such major hurricanes and tropical storms including Georges, Floyd, Dennis, Mitch, Harvey and Irene.

She also did stories for the daily entertainment show "Deco-Drive". Also while in South Florida, Amy was the show host for the Florida Panthers' Hockey Team, entertaining 16,000 fans "live" during every home game.

Amy has always been involved in animal and children's charities. However, recent tragedy in Amy's life during 2007 has brought her focus to suicide prevention, awareness and education - in addition to removing the stigma associated with depression and mental illness. Amy is active in the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, a non-profit group, co-founded 20 years ago by actress Mariette Hartley.

You can post comments on Amy's blog: CLICK HERE

Courtesy: KTTV/Fox 11

VIDEO FEATURE:
Various video clips of Amy Murphy (Hasten) at WKYC in various station promos & an in newscast anchored by Dick Feagler and Connie Dieken. Click on the "play"' to watch:

Director's Alert: Channel 3 Remains #1 at 11 PM

The final numbers are in for November sweeps...

Channel 3 News at 11: #1
Channel 3 News at 7: #1 for news/#2 in timeslot
Channel 3 News at 6: #3
Channel 3 News Today: #2
Channel 3 News Weekend Mornings: #1

These are 12+ ratings. The demographic ratings will be out in about a month. Channel 3 looks to be strong, based on recent trends, in all key categories.

Overall, viewership "appears" to be down for everyone, especially in late news - as more people turn to DVR recording, more channel choices and the internet. However, the overnight ratings from Nielsen do not immediately reflect "live" - plus DVR viewing tallies. Those are where the lost viewers re-appear.

Multi-platform outlets will become an even more constant concern as we move along. It's not only a threat, but an opportunity to reach into the internet for viewers as well - appealing to viewers & readers outside our traditional viewing areas.

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Wanted: Your "Holiday Lights" Photos & Videos

For Cleveland area readers:

WKYC is looking for your favorite holiday light displays for use on Channel 3 News at 11 PM, the Akron Canton News & our website: wkyc.com

If your house is all decked out in lights for Christmas or you see someone's house that really stands out in your neighborhood, please let us know so we can share it with all our viewers.

Submit Your Information:
*Email us the display's location: newsdesk@wkyc.com
*Snap your own digital photo & upload it: CLICK HERE (Select "Holiday Lights")
*Shoot your own video and upload it: CLICK HERE

To View Your Pictures and Videos
*Log on to our Photogallery: CLICK HERE (Select "Holiday Lights")

Add Your Favorite Display Location:
*Click on "Contribute To This Map" below to add the address of your favorite display so others may visit and enjoy the spirit of the season.


Happy Holidays from all of us at WKYC-TV!

Monday, November 26, 2007

News: Format Wars Heating Up for the Holidays

The format duel between HD DVD and Blu-ray heated up over the weekend as retailers slashed prices for the next generation players.

HD DVD players, supporting the Toshiba-led HD DVD format, are now selling for under $200 while Blu-ray players employing the Sony-devised format are down to $299 including an additional $100 gift certificate.

Read more about the 2 different formats from an article we did earlier on the blog: CLICK HERE

Friday, November 23, 2007

Weblink: DTVAnswers

The switchover from analog to digital television is set for just over a year now - February 17, 2009.

It's an important date for many reasons...history is being made, analog signals go dark, and many "over the air" viewers will be scratching their heads.

Are you ready?

Most people aren't...and throughout 2008, the "Director's Cut" Blog and WKYC.com will be helping our readers get prepared and well ahead of the curve.

One of the better websites available to answer many of your questions is called DTV Answers.

I urge you to take a look and get acquainted with the process and what the switchover will mean to you.

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

News: The "Hot" HDTV's This Season

This season will be an important one for consumers interested in buying High Definition televisions.

You'll have more choices than ever before this year when buying an HDTV. Larger sets and more manufacturers producing sets are helping to bring down prices. Plus you get even more features than last year in many cases.

We recently turned to our friends at C/net to give us a heads up on the best types of HDTVs to buy this year.

We hope you'll take the time to click on a review of each to help you make an informed decision BEFORE you head to the store. Remember, there will be some great deals during the holidays. If you are in the market to buy, now may be the time. Click on the model number to read a review of each from the experts.

Pioneer PDP-5080HD: This TV produces the deepest shade of black and thus one of the best pictures currently available. Starts at $2087

Sony KDL-46XBR4: Although not quite as impressive as the best plasmas, this 46-incher outperforms any flat-panel LCD. Starts around $2277

Samsung LN-T4681F: A breakthrough in LCD picture quality with some issues, this LED-powered set will impress the staunchest videophiles. Starts around $3399

Samsung LN-T4671F - 46" LCD TV: While a few issues hamper its judder-busting video processing, this 120Hz TV is still one of the best-performing LCD HDTVs available. Starts around $2077

Samsung FP-T5084: With accurate color and deep black levels, the 50-inch plasma's picture stands up well against some tough competition. Starts around $1837

Panasonic TH-58PZ700U: Although it costs more than just about any rear-projection big-screen, the 58-inch plasma offers superb image quality. Starts around $2997

Panasonic TH-42PZ700U: For those who can spare no expense, this set is for you - a plasma offers the best picture quality in its size class. Starts around $1250

Samsung HP-T5064: The picture quality of the set places it among the top tier of 50-inch plasma HDTVs. Starts around $1225

Panasonic TH-50PX77U: Deep black levels and a new antiglare screen make the 50-inch model one of the top choices among plasma HDTVs. Starts around $1327

Sony KDS-60A2020: This set is a holdover from last year, but it's still one of the better performing, more fully featured HDTVs available. Starts around $2099

Courtesy: C/NET.com

Meet The NBC All Stars: Conan O'Brien

This time around in our "Meet the Stars" feature, we profile "Late Night" host Conan O'Brien - the man slated to succeed Jay Leno in 2009 as host of "The Tonight Show."

Since 1993, Conan O'Brien has been combining his talents as writer, performer and interviewer as host of "Late Night" and in 2009, he will take over the reins on the venerable "Tonight Show."

In 2002, O'Brien brought his signature wit and style to his hosting duties on the 54th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards, garnering big laughs and critical acclaim.

"Late Night" has been honored with nominations for Outstanding Comedy-Variety Series since 2003 and for the last ten years, O'Brien and the "Late Night" writing team have consistently been nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Writing in a Comedy or Variety Series. He and the "Late Night" writing staff have won six Writer's Guild Awards for Best Writing in a Comedy/Variety Series, including two consecutive wins in 2002 and 2003.

Two-time president of the venerable and notorious Harvard Lampoon, O'Brien moved to Los Angeles upon graduation and joined the writing staff of HBO's "Not Necessarily the News." During his two years with the show, he performed regularly with several improvisational groups, including The Groundlings.

By 1988 his talents had come to the attention of Lorne Michaels, executive producer of "Saturday Night Live," who hired O'Brien as a writer in January of that year. His three-and-a-half years on the show produced such recurring sketches as "Mr. Short-Term Memory" and "The Girl Watchers" (first performed by Tom Hanks and Jon Lovitz). In 1989 his work on "SNL" was recognized with an Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing in a Comedy or Variety Series.

In the spring of 1991, O'Brien left "SNL" and wrote and produced a TV pilot, "Lookwell," starring Adam West. It was telecast on NBC in July of that year but was not picked up as a series. That fall O'Brien signed on as a writer/producer for the Fox series, "The Simpsons," where he later became the show's supervising producer. Of all the episodes he wrote, his favorite is "Springfield Gets a Monorail."

On April 26, 1993, O'Brien was selected from among the many talented potential hosts of "Late Night" for his particular and unique mix of "vitality, wit and intelligence," according to Michaels.

Born in Brookline, Massachusetts, O'Brien is married with a two children and resides in New York City. His birthday is April 18.

Catch "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" weeknights at 12:35 AM on WKYC.

Courtesy: NBC

News: Akron's "Holiday Lighting Spectacular Show" to Air This Friday on WKYC & Akron Canton News

Updated with video: 11/26/07

Video Features:
Watch our coverage from Channel 3 News at 7 PM on 11/23: CLICK HERE

------------------------------------------------
WKYC and the "Akron Canton News" will present live coverage of Akron's "Holiday Lighting Spectacular Show" this Friday, November 23rd.

Coverage will begin during WKYC's 6 PM newscast with live cut-ins with event hosts, WKYC's new morning anchors Mark Nolan and Abby Ham.

Coverage will then continue during the "Akron Canton News" on Time Warner Cable during our normal 6:30 broadcast.

Then at 7 pm on WKYC, Mark and Abby will lead our expanded coverage ending with Santa's annual return to flip the switch on the holiday lights at around 7:23 pm, followed by fireworks.

Last year, the lighting drew 6,000 people into downtown Akron. The event will take place at 200 South Main Street, right in front of Lock 3.

To read more about "Holidayfest": CLICK HERE

Monday, November 19, 2007

News: STO Launches New Look for Studio C

Sportstime Ohio - the regional sports network & partner of WKYC - has added a fresh coat of watercolors to their main set in Studio C.

The new look, which debuted Sunday 11/18/07, has a much nicer blue look with a brick bottom and steel trussing. Also, an additional monitor has been added.

STO also built a second set in the same studio that will be used for upcoming sports specials.

Here are some pictures of the "Red Zone" show taken tonight for those of you who haven't seen the new look on-air yet: This show is hosted by WKYC Sports Anchor & radio voice of the Browns, Jim Donovan (right). The two guests are Jim's radio color analyst and former Brown Doug Dieken (left) & Browns PD Beat Reporter Tony Grossi (center).







Saturday, November 17, 2007

From the Mailbag: Change again for the Akron Canton News

From: Dustin in Akron

Q: Seems that the re-branding to "Channel 3's Akron Canton Newscast" was short lived. Other than the open to the newscast the graphics were all back to the blue "Akron Canton News" graphics...Just curious if you knew anything about it?

A: Well, it seems our rebranding may have been a little premature. Time Warner asked us to continue with the name of "Akron Canton News" with its own look, so they can present the show as a unique product for various reason$. However, we do plan further graphic changes to the broadcast including the set's background. We've just had to go back to the drawing board. It's not exactly how we hoped to make the transition - but it is what it is.

Thursday, November 15, 2007

Get To Know Team 3 - Maureen Kyle

This month, we are going to feature a relatively new face to the Channel 3 News family. While she is new to you, Maureen is not new to Cleveland - she grew up here and now is getting to work in her favorite city. We recently asked Maureen to take a few minutes between writing news stories and answer a few of our questions:

Q: What cities have you worked in prior to coming back to your hometown city of Cleveland? Which city (besides Cleveland), do you think has been your favorite?

Maureen: I came back to Cleveland after a few years in Louisville, Kentucky. Louisville is one of the country's best kept secrets. The town is quaint with some of the best restaurants. I started reporting while I was in college in New York City. Not to date myself, but I covered a lot of 9/11 and its aftermath. I loved New York City before the attacks, but going through that remarkably difficult and frightening time, I became a New Yorker. New Yorkers have a reputation for being rude, but the way everyone came together to support one another after the tragedy was amazing. I still go back a few times a year to visit my close friends and sister.

Q: Many people may not know that you are related to some pretty well known community leaders in Northeast Ohio, tell us who -

Maureen: One of the most frequently asked questions I get in the field is, "Are you related to Coach Kyle." My dad is the head football coach at St. Ignatius, which is one of the reasons I was compelled to come back home to Cleveland. I also think he is the driving force behind my ambition and drive to succeed. A lot of people would tease me, asking if my siblings and I were forced to do drills at home. But if you know my dad, you know he does push and he doesn't yell - he inspires. I am blessed to have such a wonderful teacher and father. Also, my grandfather is Paul Cassidy - the former Mayor of Parma Heights. He served the community for 43 years before retiring in 2000. Mayor Cassidy started in public service when the area of Parma Heights was booming post WWII. He has been such a wonderful resource when it comes to Cleveland's history and political players.

Q: Since football is in your family's blood...did the tradition continue with your love of the game too?

Maureen: When I was three years old, I insisted on going to all of the St. Ignatius football games. I thought every game was played against St. Edward...but I figured it all out by the time I was 5. It was one big way to connect with my dad, since make-up and hair was out. I love football - especially when I have an emotional connection to the team. But I also keep up with baseball and basketball (living in Kentucky and near the Hoosier state, I learned fast to love basketball).

Q: Professionally, you have worn many hats. What are they? What has been your favorite?

Maureen: One of the reasons why I love this job so much is the fact that I get to do so many different jobs all in one. I've been a radio anchor/reporter, T.V. reporter, anchor and weather "anchor"...yes, weather. I am not a meteorologist, but on Sunday mornings in Louisville, I delivered the forecast. It was a true test of skill!!!Still, my favorite so far is reporting. I love getting out and meeting different people, hearing their stories and finding out what other people do with their lives.

Q: We have both worked in radio... Which do you prefer? - radio or tv - and why?

Maureen: Although radio was good to me and I could wear my pajamas at work, I love working in TV. I am a visual person, as I think many people are. When you can show someone what is happening, I think there is a greater understanding of the story and how it impacts each individual life. But I miss wearing sweatpants into work...

Q: You were a witness to the carnage in New York on 9/11 as a reporter covering the story. Tell us about that experience and how it changed your life.

Maureen: I was a senior at Fordham University during the 9/11 attacks. I was 9 miles away from the World Trade Center. The day it happened, I couldn't take it in. I knew 2 people who died that day. Every New Yorker knew someone. But to comprehend what happened took months. After that, I realized, what happens on the other side of the world doesn't just happen in headlines for us here in the U.S. Decisions made by our government and foreign governments can change our world. I covered those stories as a reporter, but in the back of my mind, what happened on 9/11 happened in my city to people I knew. I had a new understanding of what it's like to be emotionally connected to a story.

Q: Now for some lighter questions... What is your favorite place to hang out when you are not working?

Maureen: We are always working...But I like hanging out in Tremont. It's eclectic and diverse.

Q: What is one thing you could not live without in life?

Maureen: Laughter - hands down. A good example is my 12th birthday party. While most girls my age would have a sleepover and watch "Grease", I wanted to watch "Strange Brew" and "Three Amigos". I'm sure most of the other girls didn't appreciate it. I think laughter and a good sense of humor is the only way to get through life.

Q: Name one thing you wish you could live without in life - and why?.

Maureen: Chocolate...I can't live with it...I wish I could live without it. I would eat chocolate covered shards of glass. It's an addiction.

Q: Since you work for WKYC - a NBC affiliate - you must be a fan of one or two of our primetime shows? What might they be?

Maureen: I love "30 Rock!" Tina Fey is an amazing writer and I think that is one of NBC's greatest shows. I wish I would have gotten into "Heroes"...I have some catching up to do when the DVD sets come out. And - being the news geek I am - I watch "NBC Nightly News."

You can email Maureen. Her address is: maureenkyle@wkyc.com

News: Scary Moment for Brian Williams after leaving Cleveland Monday

Brian Williams reported Wednesday in his blog that he had some scary moments in his flight after leaving Cleveland following his Monday Night broadcast here:

We're just back from the classic American business trip: two cities in two days, late flights, bad weather, grumpy travellers wearing wrinkled suits. The best moment? When the flight attendant on our commuter jet flight from Cleveland to Detroit said she'd soon be "coming around the cabin to collect any remaining service items..." How could we have service items? There was no service on the flight. Not a drop to drink -- nothing. As I pondered that question with my seatmate, I looked down and saw the sequential runway strobe lights -- on the runway where we were supposed to be at that very moment. Just as I realized something was wrong, I felt the extra .5 G-force pull of the acceleration of the jet, which pointed skyward again. A few minutes later, our First Officer came on the PA to sheepishly explain that we had performed a "go-around" -- and said something about air traffic control -- and how it would take "about five minutes" to bank around and re-join the pattern and actually land. And I thought to myself, in the wake of the "service items" announcement, and in the wake of the missed approach: that in the space of 30 seconds we'd been treated to both the absolute inanity...and the deathly seriousness...of air travel in this era.

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Spotlight Feature: How WKYC Transmits Over the Air

Ever wonder how our television pictures gets from the WKYC Digital Broadcast Center's control room to your tv set? The whole process starts with our over the air signal for those of you without cable or satellite (those services are fed directly via fiber links to the individual companies).

We asked WKYC Transmitter Engineer Dave Kushman to give us a tour of the transmitter facility in Parma & explain how it all works. Be sure to check out Dave's website: www.k8dav.com

THE PROCESS:
The program video and audio from the studio come to the transmitter site in two formats, analog and digital.

The analog video can only carry a limited amount of information. I'm sure you have noticed the lines across the screen. There are 525 of them. At the top of the screen, hidden from view, is an area that contains, closed captioning information, an occasional test signal and precise time information. Each on its own line. The audio has its own processing and path to the aural transmitter. The output of the visual and aural transmitters are then combine just before the RF (radio frequency) leaves the building on its way to the antenna.

Digital on the other hand, can carry much more information. The video and audio are all in one stream along with the above information and much more. While we actually transmit digital on channel 2, information in this stream tells your TV that you are watching channel 3-1 or 3-2. It works the same way with the other stations in town. Since the audio is also digitized, it is embedded into the digital stream, there is no need for a separate aural transmitter.

Programs created in the analog format are also converted to the digital format and both are then sent via fiber optics to the transmitter site.

Should you have an analog and a digital tv tuned to channel 3 at the same time, you would notice there is a slight delay in the digital picture and sound. That's because it takes a certain amount of time to convert analog into digital signals. At the transmitter site, the analog and digital signals have their own processing equipment and are then sent to the individual transmitters.
Besides having a diesel generator to run the entire transmitter site should there be a power failure, the program from the studio can either be fed to the transmitter site via a terrestrial microwave path, or satellite if need be.

Our channel 3 analog transmitter operates at about 25 thousand watts and the digital channel 2 about 5 thousand. Since digital signals travel farther for a given power, there is no need to run that transmitter at the same level as the analog.

The antenna style that we use is called a Batwing. At the antenna the analog power is in effect multiplied to a little under 100 thousand watts. The technical term is Effective Radiated Power (ERP).

The digital power is only raised to about 8 thousand to cover the same area.

EXCLUSIVE PHOTO GALLERY:
Check out our slide show of our transmitter location. Special thanks to Dave Kushman and Dawn Ermler-Fischer for helping us take the digital pictures.

Monday, November 12, 2007

Spotlight Feature: Brian Williams Visit

NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams broadcasted live from the Flats in downtown on Cleveland Monday, November 12th. Unfortunately it was pouring rain and lightning when the show started at 6:30 PM.

Before that, he visited the Channel 3 studios to talk with us and others in the community about the state of Cleveland and the country.

Timeline of Brian's Visit:
Around Noon: Brian arrived at WKYC to meet with staff, take pictures, tour the WKYC Digital Broadcast Center

2:30 PM: Began working on final preps for NBC Nightly News.. his staff and him meet for over an hour to go over the show in our News Directors office.

3:30 PM: Heads to main news studio to begin taping promos with Tim White and Romona Robinson.

4:30 PM: Brian leaves WKYC and heads to his remote location near the Superior Viaduct.

5:45 PM: Brian does a talkback with Tim & Romona from his broadcast location for the 6 PM show

6:30 PM: Nightly News airs with a stormy background. A thunderstorm passes over just as the show begins.

7:00 PM: Brian heads out to dinner than hops on plane to Detroit where he will broadcast tomorrow night

Exclusive Pictures of Brian's Visit


Behind the Scenes with Brian Williams
By Chris Tye

A behind-the-scenes look at what it took to get Monday's broadcast on the air. They came, 24-strong with over 200 boxes of equipment all to put on one 30-minute broadcast. "The reason we're here," says NBC News anchor Brian Williams, is "to see the customer." Williams and his nightly co-workers took the show to Cleveland Monday night to share stories of a local Iraqi veteran who's making a difference here at home, of the growing foreclosure problem in Cleveland--and the power and promise of The Cleveland Clinic.

"Our newscast originates out of New York, but if the show starts to reflect New York values, then we're in trouble," he says. Trips like this to Cleveland, and tomorrow to Detroit aim to reflect the values of the Midwest, where the economy is struggling and the housing market is too.
While Williams is only here for a day, his crews have been working for weeks on the content being broadcast tonight. "We don't want this to feel like a drive-by visit," says NBC News producer Subrata De. "Our goal is to come and introduce the country to the people, the industry and the things in the news here in Cleveland."

Director's Point of View
By Frank Macek

Brian's visit made for an interesting day. Although I didn't get time to talk with him, I found him to be a rather pleasant, down to earth, and caring anchor. You don't always see that in this business - especially when people become mega stars. I truly enjoyed watching how structured everything was. When his assistants said it was time to do something, everyone jumped. It was like a mini-production company following him around at all times. And Brian definitely has a sense of humor. I saw this most when he took off his suitcoat and interviewed our Graphics Supervisor (and voice of "You've Got Mail" - Elwood Edwards). Although you didn't get to see his exchange on the air tonight, you can watch it by following the link under "Video Features" below. I also took a couple of pictures in our slide show (above). I think the entire station enjoyed Brian's visit - and it doesn't hurt to be able to say we had a network anchor in the house! Wish the weather had been better for his broadcast as the rain fell and the thunder boomed.

Video Features
To watch Chris Tye's package: CLICK HERE
To watch Romona Robinson's sit down interview with Brian: CLICK HERE
To watch Brian's interview with Elwood Edwards: CLICK HERE

Thursday, November 08, 2007

Director's Alert: New Morning Show Launched

WKYC launched our brand new morning show Thursday morning (11/8/07) at 5 AM.

Join new anchors Mark Nolan, Abby Ham, Meteorologist Hollie Strano, Barbara Gauthier and the whole morning team for a brand new start to your day.

All the news, weather, traffic and fun you can handle in the morning - check it out weekday mornings, starting at 5 AM.

VIDEO FEATURE:
To watch video of Mark & Abby's first day: CLICK HERE

Wednesday, November 07, 2007

Video: Channel 3 Classic Promos from 1999

This is a group of classic Channel 3 Promos from around 1999, courtesy of the "Director's Cut" archives.

This latest batch includes cameos from Judd Hambrick, Romona Robinson, Eric Mansfield, Steve Miles, Greg Groogan, Don Hammond, Donna Terrell and the "News That's More Local" campaign and "Viper Max."

Feel free to post your own comments and share your memories. Just click on the videos to watch. If you can't view them on this page, CLICK HERE

Tuesday, November 06, 2007

Meet The NBC All Stars: Brian Williams

This time around in our "Meet the Stars" feature, we profile "NBC Nightly News" anchor Brian Williams. His recent appearance as host of Saturday Night Live has garnered much interest, so let's take a deeper look at the man who brings us the evening news on NBC:

Brian Williams is the seventh anchor and managing editor in the history of "NBC Nightly News," which represents the largest single daily source of news in America. Recently, Williams became the most honored network evening news anchor. He received four Edward R. Murrow Awards, his fifth Emmy Award, the duPont-Columbia University Award and the industry's highest honor, the George Foster Peabody Award. Most were given for his work in New Orleans while covering Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath, and all were awarded to Williams in only his second year on the job.

Williams was the first and only network evening news anchor to report from New Orleans before Hurricane Katrina hit and was the only network news anchor to report from the Superdome during the storm. He remained in New Orleans to report on the aftermath and destruction of Hurricane Katrina, and continues to travel back and forth to the region to cover the recovery and rebuilding efforts.

The New York Times wrote that Williams' coverage of Hurricane Katrina and the aftermath was "a defining moment as a network reporter and anchor." Vanity Fair magazine called his work "Murrow-worthy" and said that while reporting live from New Orleans, Williams "exhibited unfaltering composure, compassion and grit," and during the crisis became "a nation's anchor."

In March 2007, Williams returned to Iraq and reported from throughout the country for several days. In May 2006, Williams joined Bono, traveling to three countries in Africa - Nigeria, Mali and Ghana - to report on the major issues facing the continent, including HIV/AIDS, poverty, disease and crushing debt.

In April 2005, Brian Williams was the first of the big three network news anchors to report that Pope John Paul II had died, and the first and only evening news anchor to travel to Rome to cover the funeral. In January 2005, he traveled to Baghdad and Mosul to report on the landmark Iraqi elections. He has reported on every aspect of the war, from the battlefield to the home front. Also in 2005, Williams was the first network evening news anchor to report from Banda Aceh, Indonesia - where, in the first week following the devastating tsunami, he covered the international relief and recovery effort, while working around the clock.

Since joining NBC News in 1993, Williams has become one of the nation's foremost television journalists, covering virtually every major breaking news event and traveling extensively around the world. He is a veteran of political campaigns and elections, the Middle East, and has traveled to dozens of U.S. cities and foreign countries in the course of covering the news over more than two decades. For seven years beginning in 1996, he was anchor and managing editor of "The News with Brian Williams," a live, hour-long nightly newscast on MSNBC and then on CNBC. Williams was the anchor and managing editor of the Saturday edition of "NBC Nightly News" for six years before becoming anchor of the weekday edition.

In 1994, Williams was named NBC News Chief White House correspondent. Accompanying President Clinton aboard Air Force One, Williams circled the world several times, covering virtually every foreign and domestic trip by the President until 1996. On perhaps one of the most historic trips of the Clinton presidency, Williams was the only television news correspondent to accompany three U.S. presidents - Clinton, Bush and Carter - to Yitzhak Rabin's funeral in Israel.

While covering the 2003 war in Iraq, Williams became the first NBC News correspondent to reach Baghdad after the U.S. military invasion of the city. Just days into the war, Williams was traveling on a U.S. Army Chinook helicopter mission when the lead helicopter was shot down by a rocket-propelled grenade. Williams spent three days and two nights in the Iraqi desert south of Najaf, with a mechanized armored tank platoon of the Army's Third Infantry Division providing protection. During the war, Williams traveled to seven nations throughout the Mid East during his seven-week overseas deployment.

Williams moderated the 2003 Democratic presidential candidates' debate in New York and the 2000 Republican debate in South Carolina.

Following the terrorist attacks of September 11, Williams was on the air for days of continuous coverage. USA Today named him Best Anchor of the marathon 2000 Presidential election night coverage. In 1997, his continuous coverage of the death of Princess Diana was watched by millions worldwide on the networks of NBC News, as were his many hours of live coverage following the crash of TWA Flight 800 and the death of John F. Kennedy, Jr.

Williams' writing has appeared in The New York Times, Time Magazine and the Los Angeles Times. GQ named him "the most interesting man in television today," and in 2001 named him "Man of the Year." The National Father's Day Committee named him "Father of the Year" in 1996.

Williams is a frequent guest on "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart," "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" and "The Late Show with David Letterman."

Before joining NBC News, Williams spent seven years at CBS, as a correspondent and anchor in its Television Stations Division in Philadelphia and New York, during which time he covered the collapse of the Berlin Wall in 1989, and before that worked at WTTG in Washington. He started his career at KOAM-TV in Pittsburg, Kansas.

Prior to his broadcasting career, Williams worked in the White House during the Carter administration, beginning as a White House intern. He later worked as assistant administrator of the political action committee of the National Association of Broadcasters in Washington. A native of both Elmira, N.Y. and Middletown, N.J., Williams is particularly proud of his several years of service as a volunteer firefighter in New Jersey.

Williams is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations in New York, and is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation. He has lectured at Columbia University School of Journalism and the Lyndon Baines Johnson Presidential Library in Austin, Texas. He attended George Washington University and the Catholic University of America, both in Washington, and is the recipient of six honorary doctorate degrees. He and his wife, Jane Stoddard Williams, have two children.

You can see Brian anchor "NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams" Monday through Friday at 6:30 (in high definition) on WKYC.

Courtesy: NBC

Friday, November 02, 2007

News: 60,000 & Counting!

Just a quick note of thanks to all our readers of the "Director's Cut" Blog.. The numbers are in for October and our blog has now surpassed the 60,000th reader mark since launching in January.

October was a huge month for us in several ways, with expanded coverage of the SuccessTech Academy shootings, the announcement of our morning show team of Mark Nolan and Abby Ham & our regular features: "Where Are They Now?," "Get to Know Team 3" and classic Channel 3 Promos.

In the coming weeks, we have plenty of new and fresh material coming thanks to your ideas and suggestions. A reminder, you can reach us anytime at fmacek@wkyc.com or on Facebook and Myspace for on-line extras.

Again, thank you for reading the "Director's Cut" Blog. Be sure to tell your colleagues to stop by and visit.

Thursday, November 01, 2007

Where Are They Now?: Art Edwards

Former WKYC reporter and morning show anchor Art Edwards appears in this month's "Where Are They Now?" feature here on the "Director's Cut" blog. Art was here at the station for many, first starting as a general assignment reporter, than moving to the anchor desk where he co-anchored the morning & noon news near the end of his tenure with Jodine Costanzo (now in Pittsburgh at WPXI).

During his 'KYC days, Art was honored for his work on-the air and for his work on an hour long special called "Tough Choices" dealing with problems young adults face in life. The show won Art a regional Emmy Award.

As everyone faces in this business, Art was on to new challenges in his career and headed south after leaving Channel 3. He landed upright at WNCN/NBC 17 where he would spend a little more than next four years bringing viewers the news in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Finally it was time to head back to one of his Alma mater states where he attended the University of Michigan, and joined the team of Detroit's WDIV-TV/NBC 4 on February 5, 2000. Art also attended Boston University and California State University/Howard.

Today, Art is a leading station reporter both on the air and the on the WDIV's website, clickondetroit.com, where he has a strong presence bringing viewers topical stories in the Motor City.

Art was born in the Oakland, California, area. His first on-air job was at KFTY-TV in Santa Rosa. Other stops during Art's careers besides Cleveland, Raleigh and Detroit including Salinas, Las Vegas and New Orleans. Art is currently married and has two children.

If you would like to reach Art, you can email him at: arte@clickondetroit.com

The following is a PSA (public service announcement) Art did while here at WKYC in 1992. Press the play to begin watching video. If you can't see the video on this page, CLICK HERE


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Photo & Some Info Courtesy: WDIV/NBC 4 & clickondetroit.com

From the Mailbag: Bus Stop Kids

From: Beverly in Medina

Q: I have a child who would like to be a Bus Stop Weather kid, how do I go out getting him on TV?

A: WKYC's official "Bus Stop Department" offered up the following details:

"There are two ways in which kids are selected for this popular segment of our newscasts. The first way is through a phone-in contest we run periodically during Channel 3 News Today, which airs weekday mornings from 5-7 a.m.

The other way we get kids is through charity fundraisers. We occasionally give Bus Stop appearances to various groups to use at silent auctions to help raise money for their organization. If you have any questions feel free to call the station at (216) 344-3333 and ask to speak to someone in our Promotion Department."

DVR Alert: New Medical Miracle Specials to Air on WKYC

WKYC will air "Medical Miracles: Second Chances" Thursday, November 1st, at 7:30 pm hosted by Channel 3's Emmy Award winning Medical Reporter Monica Robins.

This special, the next in a continuing set of Cleveland Clinic programs, will examine thoracic surgery. You'll be introduced to the Clinic's thoracic surgery unit, which deals with the illnesses of the chest area, as Monica follows a young mother suffering from cystic fibrosis. She is just one of the patients whose lives have been helped.

Then on Thursday, December 6 at 7:30 pm, viewers can tune in for "Medical Miracles: Innovative Surgery, Rapid Recovery." This 30-minute Cleveland Clinic special focuses on minimally invasive surgeries and the benefits they provide over traditional surgeries. For example, a robot assists a cardiovascular surgeon to repair a heart valve with only four small incisions. This show covers procedures at the forefront of surgical technology.