Director's Cut Blog with Frank Macek

Check out the newest WKYC promo that shares the experience of veteran journalists Russ Mitchell and Kris Pickel, weeknights on Channel 3 News at 6 & 11 PM.

Emmy nominations were announced on Thursday by the NATAS Lower Great Lakes Chapter. WKYC/Channel 3 received a total of 12 nomations, including 6 by Channel 3 Investigator Tom Meyer. You can read the complete list of nominees at: http://www.nataslgl.org/awards_emmy_nominees_2012.php Channel 3's Nominations for calendar year 2011: Best Evening Newscast - Channel 3 News at 11 PM  General Assignment Report (within 24 hours) - Jennifer Lindgren "Potter's Field"  General Assignment Report (no time limit) - Tom Meyer "Head Start Misspending"  Breaking News - "Fairport Harbor Explosion"  Continuous Coverage - Tom Meyer "Hidden Hazards"  Investigative Report Series - Tom Meyer "Metrohealth Abuse"  Politics/Government - Tom Meyer "Senator Smith Home"  Journalistic Enterprise - Tom Meyer   Crafts on Camera Talent - Betsy Kling  Crafts on Camera Reporter - Tom Meyer  Crafts: Video Jo...

By Frank Macek It's time for another behind the scenes look at what's happening inside the WKYC Digital Broadcast Center. The all important May sweeps will kick of tomorrow, April 26th, for the next four weeks. We will be bringing you a month filled with special reports and stories you won't see anywhere else from Channel 3's most experienced news team. Many of you have noticed that the latest addition to our WKYC anchor team has hit the airwaves. Lynna Lai made her debut last Saturday night at 6 & 11 PM where she will be co-anchoring with Eric Mansfield until he leaves for his new position at Kent State University at the end of May. You'll also see Lynna reporting for Channel 3 News at 6, 7 & 11 pm during the week. Tune in for Channel 3 Sports "Browns Draft: 2012" special Thursday, April 26th, from 7 until 8 p.m. hosted by WKYC Sports anchor and radio voice of the Browns, Jim Donovan. Jim will be joined by Dave Chudowsky, Doug Dieken, Bern...

Rita Andolsen Long-time news executive Rita Andolsen has turned her sights on a creative new position with WKYC, helming the stations enhanced efforts in community outreach, creative local programming, and successful special events. “For 12 years, I’ve helped present the daily struggles and challenges of Northeast Ohio. Now I have a chance to take all I’ve learned and create projects and partnerships that can make things better for our communities. While local television has always had the power to shine a light on the issues, we now have multiple platforms to create support and exposure for worthy endeavors. We can be a catalyst for real change,” said Ms. Andolsen “and I can’t wait to get started”. “WKYC’s vision, and that of all of Gannett’s 23 television stations, is to serve the greater good in our communities,” stated President and General Manager Brooke Spectorsky. “With Rita’s outstanding stature in the greater Cleveland communities, I can think of no better leader to ta...

Tom Meyer, The Investigator Congratulations to WKYC's Tom Meyer, "The Investigator" for being honored with a regional Edward R. Murrow Award for "Best Video News Series" and his shocking report "Hidden Hazards." Tom's reports exposed hidden and potentially deadly electrical hazards on city streets. The investigation prompted Cleveland City Hall to purchase testing equipment and launch its own regular testing program. Tom shares this prestigious award with WKYC investigative producer Rick Hepp, editor Sarah Bachmann and photojournalists Tim Coffey and Mike Leonard. The northeast Ohio media market is included in Region 7 along with the rest of Ohio, Illinois, Indiana and Michigan.Ohio. You can watch Tom's winning entry at: http://youtu.be/7uKozIzb0WU Also congratulations to other stations WKSU-FM, WCPN-FM, WAKR-AM, WEWS-TV and WKBN-TV for awards also received this year. The National Awards will be announced later this year.

Cleveland will be in the spotlight this weekend as the 2012 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony returns to the best location in the nation this week. WKYC will present a special Rock Hall special this Friday at 7 p.m. called "Ten Days That Changed The World." WKYC 6 & 11 PM co-anchors Russ Mitchell and Kris Pickel, 7 pm anchor Robin Swoboda and reporter Monica Robin will bring you a look at the all the glitz and glamour from the Rock Hall including an indepth report on all this year's inductees, how the week's events help boost the Cleveland economy, a behind the scenes look at the recent Rock Hall renovations, and see who's in town for Saturday's big show. That's this Friday, April 13th, from 7 to 8 p.m. on WKYC.

Special to the Director's Cut Blog By Lynn Elber, AP Television Writer LOS ANGELES - Matt Lauer is sticking with "Today" show. Lauer planned to announce Friday on the air that he has signed a long-term contract to remain as co-host of the No. 1 morning show, NBC News spokeswoman Megan Kopf said Thursday. Although "Today" is on a historic winning streak in the ratings, ABC competitor "Good Morning America" has been gaining ground. Lauer's decision provides important stability for "Today" and puts to rest speculation that he might reunite with his former co-host, Katie Couric, on the syndicated show she's launching this fall. Lauer said last May that he had discussed joining with Couric on a new venture. But he predicted then that he would be staying at "Today" for "a long time." He's been a fixture with the show since 1994, and "Today" has remained No. 1 in the weekly ratings since 1995. ...

Kris Pickel joined the Channel 3 News anchor team on Monday, April 2nd, at 6 & 11 PM. Our ace WKYC photographer Ryan Haidet was in the studio to capture her first broadcast. Click on the photo to see our slide show on wkyc.com :

Here she is, Channel 3 News' newest anchor, Kris Pickel. Our Russ Mitchell has a quick question and answer with her as a brief introduction for Cleveland viewers. Kris makes her debut tonight, April 2nd, at 6 & 11 PM. (Pardon the fuzzy flip cam)