Director's Cut Blog with Frank Macek

Marcus Walter, Photo courtesy: Black Enterprise WKYC has announced that Marcus Walter is joining the Channel 3 Weather family as a staff meteorologist beginning February 13th. Marcus comes to Channel 3 News from New York City where is currently the weather producer for Good Morning America's weather guru Sam Champion. A native of Chicago, Marcus did his undergraduate work at Penn State and has a Master's Degree, also in Meteorology, from Cornell University. Marcus replaces former WKYC Meteorologist A.J. Colby who left in October, 2011.

This is part 2 in our campaign to introduce you to our new Channel 3 News Today morning team - Chris Tye, Erin Kennedy and Hollie Strano. So, what are you doing to day? Click on the video to watch:

Channel 3, the official home of the Ohio Lottery, will now air Powerball drawings live when the big jackpot reaches $100 million dollars or more. We'll give you a "Mega Money Alert" on Channel 3 and wkyc.com leading up to the drawing. That way, you can be sure to tune and get the numbers first, as they are drawn live at 11 p.m. Our first alert is in effect and we'll have the first drawing Saturday night, January 28th, at 11 p.m. right before Channel 3 News. And don't forget to see the regular Ohio lottery drawings live weeknights at 7:29 p.m. on Channel 3. Daily lottery results can be gotten on wkyc.com at the following link: http://www.wkyc.com/news/lottery/

By Frank Macek It's time for another behind the scenes look at what's happening at the WKYC Digital Broadcast Center. This week marks our official 5th anniversary as the most read blog originating from WKYC. We first launched "Director's Cut" back in January 2007 as an experiment and today are hovering around the one million page view mark. I personally appreciate all the support I have gotten from Channel 3 executives on allowing me to give you inside access to our television station, unlike other stations which are afraid to embrace the slogan "Report the Facts, Respect the Truth." We are into our second week with our new anchor teams on Channel 3 News with Chris Tye and Erin Kennedy anchoring 4:30 - 7 a.m., Amanda Barren on Channel 3 News at Noon, Russ Mitchell at 6 & 11 p.m. and Robin Swoboda and Jim Donovan on the "News @7". We are very excited with all the new changes and know our viewers realize Channel 3 is even more committ...

It has been a big week for WKYC as several new anchors settled in and others took on new roles. Russ Mitchell, a former anchor for CBS Evening News weekend edition and The Early Show on Saturday, has taken his chair for the 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. newscasts. Jim Donovan is now teamed up with Robin Swoboda for the news at 7 p.m. Meanwhile, Chris Tye has moved to mornings from the 7 p.m. show and has been teamed up with another fresh WKYC face, Erin Kennedy. Click on the photo to see our slide show:

Friday marks a milestone for one of the staples of American television. It marks the 60th anniversary of the Today Show, and tonight hosts past and present will celebrate six decades on-the-air at a star-studded gala in New York. From day one when Dave Garroway welcomed viewers to try something new, Today has been bringing the world to American homes. "The very first good morning of what I hope and suspect will be a great many good mornings between you and I," Garroway said on January 13, 1952. Little did anyone know how many mornings there would be. Fast forward nearly 22,000 mornings and Today is a fixture of American life. Matt, Ann, Al and Natalie are the latest members of the Today family. Over the years, a who's-who list has served as hosts including Barbara Walters, Tom Brokaw, Bryant Gumble and Katie Couric. "This is stewardship," Al Roker says. "You're just here for a certain time to make sure the legacy continue and people come to ...

Jim Donovan Jim Donovan, long-time WKYC Sports Anchor, will join co-anchor Robin Swoboda for Channel 3 News @ 7pm. He will continue to bring Northeast Ohio the most experienced and thoughtful sports coverage at 6 and 11pm, but will expand his role into the anchor position at 7. “Jimmy is more than sports, he’s a great storyteller and an astute interviewer,” stated Brooke Spectorsky, President and General Manager of WKYC. “Channel 3 viewers across the region love his quick wit and passion for his work.” “Now it’s time for Jim to bring all that energy to a wider range of subjects,” remarked News Director Rita Andolsen. “Jim has always been a news junkie, now he’ll have the chance to expound on that knowledge and cover a lot of big issues facing Northeast Ohio.” “I’m happy to take on a new challenge,” added Donovan. “We’re going to do some interesting and different things with the 7pm show, and I look forward to working on some very special projects.” Donovan is returning to a ...

Nicole Sellars Have you ever considered cancelling your cable television service and switching to something cheaper? We asked that exact question on our Facebook page yesterday and received a ton of comments as prices continue to rise year after year. Channel 3 Digital Trend Reporter Nicole Sellars takes a look at some cable alternatives that could save you a few bucks. Click on the video below to watch her report:

Jim Donovan He may not suit up and play on Sunday afternoons but the voice of the Cleveland Browns received a game ball for the 2011 season. Jim Donovan, the radio voice of the Cleveland Browns, received the award on Thursday morning. Browns team president Mike Holmgren presented the game ball to Donovan saying he "epitomizes what we want our players to be." Donovan underwent a bone marrow transplant back in June of 2011. He has been battling leukemia for 11 years. After months of rehabbing and recovery, Donovan was able to return to the radio booth to call the play-by-play of the Browns season opener on September 11th. It's the first time Donovan has received a game ball since 1999 when the Browns returned to Cleveland. Courtesy: wkyc.com

Chris Tye Chris Tye, current anchor of the Channel 3 News @ 7pm, will be shifting gears and changing the setting on his alarm clock. Chris has been named co-anchor of Channel 3 News Today, WKYC’s early morning newscast. “Our goal is to make every morning smart, fun and forward-thinking,” said Tye. “As we get going on a busy 2012 -- Olympics, elections, casinos and corruption trials -- we're making it our mission to let you know what's next. Anyone can tell you what happened over the last 12 hours -- we're going to be more interested in getting you set for your next 12 hours." “Chris brings strong journalism and reporting skills to the morning show, along with a creative and quick wit”, said WKYC News Director Rita Andolsen. “He and recently named co-anchor Erin Kennedy will change the face of morning news in our market”. “The team of Chris, Erin, meteorologist Hollie Strano, reporters Amanda Barren and Stephanie Coueignoux, and Ways to Save guru Matt Granite i...