Director's Cut Blog with Frank Macek

It's been 20 years since any of the major networks successfully launched a news magazine. "Dateline" broke through for NBC News back then, and Monday night it gets company. "Rock Center with Brian Williams" debuts at 10pm eastern. "It will be a serious journalism, hard news magazine in the great tradition," Williams says. That means multiple, in depth stories each week, including one in the debut from Harry Smith about a midwest town coping with a labor shortage. "Rock Center" correspondents include legendary newsman Ted Koppel, as well as an array of NBC News veterans including Kate Snow, Richard Engel Meredith Vieira, Matt Lauer and Ann Curry. Williams will anchor each week's broadcast live to enable it to respond breaking news. Monday's premiere will also include a story from Kate Snow about what's called "birth tourism". NBC's new prime-time news magazine debuts on Monday. Mark Barger has an early loo...

WKYC will present the third in a series of health specials on Wednesday, October 26th at 8 p.m. called "Cutting Edge: Attacking Heart Disease." It’s the number one cause of death for both men and women over the age of 50. Almost 85 million Americans have early symptoms, and there over a million heart attacks each year. Yet in many cases, heart disease can be prevented. Are you at risk? Learn what you can do now to help reduce your chances of developing heart problems. You’ll see state of the art surgeries being done at the world’s top medical facilities, and the latest in intervention treatments and early diagnosis. There will also be a simultaneous live online chat on wkyc.com/cuttingedge produced by MedCity Media. The chat will include doctors and medical experts who will respond to viewer’s questions and experiences as they watch the show. WKYC News will produce a companion series of targeted news stories on October 23rd, 24th and 25th at 11 pm. The stories will ...

The debate will air live on nine NBC affiliate stations and will stream live on each station’s website. Ohio NBC affiliated stations have partnered to present the first televised statewide debate of Issue 2, the referendum on Senate Bill 5. The debate will be broadcast from Columbus, Ohio on Tuesday, October 25 from 7 p.m. to8 p.m. It will be carried live on WKYC Cleveland, WCMH Columbus, WLWT Cincinnati, WDTN Dayton, WLIO Lima, WNWO Toledo, WTOV Wheeling/Steubenville, WFMJ Youngstown, and WHIZ Zanesville. It will also be streamed live on each of the stations’ websites. Debating Issue 2 will be State Senator Keith Faber of Building a Better Ohio, who will be defending Issue 2, and Former Ohio Congressman Dennis Eckart of We Are Ohio, which opposes Issue 2. Issue 2 is a referendum on Senate Bill 5, a controversial new law that made changes to a variety of government laws and policies. The bill was signed into law by Governor John Kasich earlier this year. A “yes” vote would keep t...

By Frank Macek It's time for another behind the scenes look at what's happening at the WKYC Digital Broadcast Center. The Ohio Society of Professional Journalists has awarded Channel 3 several honors this year including a first place finish for "Best News Operation", a first place finish in "Best Medical/Science" for Senior Medical Correspondent Monica Robin's "Use Your Head" series about concussions in athletics and a second place finish for "Best Newscast" for Channel 3 News at 6 p.m. The awards will be awarded this Saturday, October 22, at Windows on the River in the Powerhouse at Nautica. As we reported earlier, "Cleveland.MomsLikeMe.com" was shuttered by our parent company on Friday, October 14th, as Gannett concentrates on other digital projects. However, another website went on-line today for those same moms to keep in touch with their own community. The new website can be found at:  http://www.northcoastmoms.sg...

(Click image to go to the iTunes store) Now you can keep connected to Channel 3 News on your iPhone. Download our brand new app today to get the latest breaking news, weather and more! Get the latest local news and weather for Cleveland and Northeast Ohio with Channel 3’s iPhone app. Local news for metro Cleveland area Current weather conditions, short term and extended forecasts, radar map, health indices, school closings and weather alerts Robust full screen video Consumer, Health and Watercooler news The latest sports news and scores News alerts sent to your iPhone with option to set a quiet time period Share news and video via Facebook, Twitter or email. Channel 3 is determined to provide the best content possible in a way that serves the interests and the needs of our viewers and users. Download your app now @ http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/wkyc/id469396327

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) will conduct the first nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS). The nationwide test will occur on Wednesday, November 9 at 2 p.m. Eastern time and may last up to three and a half minutes. The public will hear a message indicating that "This is a test." The audio message will be the same for both radio, television, and cable. The National-level EAS is a public alert and warning system that enables the President of the United States to address the American public during extreme emergencies. Similar to local EAS tests that are conducted frequently, the Nationwide Test will involve broadcast radio and television stations, cable television, satellite radio and television services and wirelineproviders across all states and territories. Over the past two years and as ...

Gannett Co., Inc. today announced that Craig A. Dubow, chairman and chief executive officer, has resigned due to disability. Dubow had taken a leave of absence on September 15 to address continuing issues relating to prior medical conditions. Marjorie Magner, an independent director since 2006 who has been chairman of the audit committee, has been named non-executive chairman of the board. Gracia C. Martore, president and chief operating officer, who has been serving as principal executive officer while Mr. Dubow was on medical leave, has been named president and chief executive officer and joined Gannett’s Board of Directors. “I’ve been with Gannett for 30 amazing years,” said Dubow. “I am extremely proud of where we are today as a company. We have always maintained an unwavering focus on the consumer. As a result, we have evolved into a digitally led media and marketing solutions company committed to delivering trusted news and information anywhere, anytime. For me, the decisio...

WKYC's parent company, Gannett, announced on Thursday that is has decided to end its company-wide website, MomsLikeMe.com , as of Friday, October 14th. According to Gannett executives Bob Dickey, Dave Lougee and David Payne in a note to employees, the company has decided to end the project as it concentrates on other digital platforms. On the MomsLikeMe.com Cleveland website, the following announcement was made by site manager Jacquie Chakirelis thanking participants of our local site. "I am sadden by the news and want you to know that I appreciate all the kind words and encouragement that I have received from my colleagues and friends. Mostly, I want you all to know that the support and friendship that has been developed within this community of local moms has been amazing! I am grateful to have had the opportunity to be a part of it's launch and to help it grow. As a mom of four children, I know that you have the hardest job in the world and to be in a position...