TEGNA Updates Station OTT Streaming Apps on Roku, Announces Plan to Launch on Amazon Fire TV

Tysons, VA – TEGNA Inc. (NYSE: TGNA) today announced it has completed an update of its stations’ over-the-top (OTT) streaming apps on Roku, enhancing the experience for viewers. TEGNA also announced it is planning to launch OTT streaming apps for its stations on Amazon Fire TV by the end of 2020. When the rollout on Amazon Fire TV is complete, TEGNA stations’ local news and other programming will be available to consumers on the two dominant OTT streaming media players, which comprise 70 percent of the U.S. market.

TEGNA’s OTT station apps offer streaming viewers free, ad-supported access to live news and the most recent news broadcasts, breaking news and weather forecasts, in addition to VERIFY fact-checking reports and TEGNA’s live entertainment program, Daily Blast LIVE. A new “Watch” feature has also been launched on stations’ websites and mobile apps in order to create a unified video consumption experience across all consumer digital platforms.

TEGNA’s True Crime Network app is also now available on Roku, after an initial launch on Amazon Fire TV and other platforms in August. True Crime Network, which features premium curated and original content for true crime fans, further expands TEGNA’s offerings for news and entertainment consumers on the most popular streaming services.

“TEGNA is capitalizing on the growing popularity of streaming and over-the-top services by expanding our offerings across digital platforms, driving audience growth and diversifying digital revenue streams,” said Adam Ostrow, chief digital officer, TEGNA. “Our latest rollout of station apps and the True Crime Network app, as well as new features on web and mobile, gives consumers even more ways to watch local news and entertainment programming.”

TEGNA stations have significantly increased digital viewership in 2020, achieving a record audience across platforms and setting records in key metrics such as visitors, video plays, and monthly active users in the first half of the year. The new True Crime Network and station OTT apps, along with broadcast, web, social media and mobile apps combine to deliver a complete, multiplatform experience for viewers however they consume news and entertainment content.

Christina Flowers To Become Executive Producer of 3News "What's Next" at 11p this December

By Frank Macek

@maceknewsnation

Christina Flowers is joining the WKYC Studios family as an Executive Producer. 

Christina Flowers

Originally from Pittsburgh, Christina is an award-winning journalist joining us from TMJ4 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Throughout her career, Christina has been recognized for her high-quality, impactful work - winning multiple regional Emmy awards for "Best Newscast" & "Best Spot News" covering an attack inside a Nashville area theater. 

          

At TMJ4, Christina famously brought debates back to television after 15 years and used her leadership skills for coverage on everything from the abduction of Jayme Closs to civil unrest & racial tensions in Milwaukee, Wauwatosa and Kenosha, Wisconsin.

Christina is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, a volunteer with Miracle League Milwaukee, an organization that gives children of all abilities an opportunity to play organized sports, a volunteer with Milwaukee Junior Achievement, a young professionals board member of Boys and Girls Club of Greater Milwaukee, and an active member of the National Association of Black Journalists.

Christina graduated with a double major in Communications and Rhetorical Studies and African American Studies from Marquette University.

When not in the newsroom, Christina says she loves to read, dance and "SHOP" in all caps! She also enjoys yoga, boxing and the great outdoors.

We so look forward to Christina joining us later in December as the new Executive Producer of "What's Next" at 11pm, replacing Denisha Thomas who left WKYC to become News Director at our Tegna station at WATN-TV/Memphis.

Award-Winning Journalist Allison Girvin Joins the 3News Team

By Frank Macek

@maceknewsnation

WKYC Studios announces Award-Winning Journalist Allison Girvin has joined the 3News team as Executive Producer of Innovation.

Allison's career has taken her from local news stations in North Carolina & Tennessee to New York City where she worked for ABC News, HuffPost Live, NBC News, The American Independent & Bloomberg Television. 

Allison Girvin

Allison spent more than 10 years at ABC News in New York in a variety of roles from assignment editor to field producer. She has interviewed everyone from presidents and princesses to astronauts in space. She spent the bulk of her time at Good Morning America, where she served three years as head writer for Diane Sawyer and Robin Roberts. 

Her last role at ABC News was running the Early Morning News Division where she oversaw World News Now and America This Morning. While at ABC News, Girvin was honored with an Emmy Award for the 2008 election coverage, and an Edward R. Murrow Award for the breaking news coverage of the death of Osama Bin Laden.

Allison was part of the original team to create and launch The Huffington Post’s online network HuffPost Live. In her three years at HPL, her team interviewed 25,000 people from 100 countries and garnered 2 billion video views.

While at NBC, Girvin was the Unit Chief overseeing business, technology and media coverage for NBC News and MSNBC. She led a team of 30 reporters, producers, writers and researchers in three news bureaus across the country. They covered everything from Russian Twitter trolls and big pharma to tax reform and trade wars for all broadcast, cable, digital, social media, and OTT platforms in the NBC News portfolio.

Allison is a passionate advocate of women prisoners and served as the Chairwoman of the Junior Board of the Women’s Prison Association, which focuses on helping ex-offenders reenter society. She is a frequent guest lecturer on new media and women in leadership and has spoken at numerous conferences and universities.

A San Diego native, Allison has as a Master of Science in magazine writing from Columbia University and a Bachelor of Journalism in broadcast news from the University of Missouri.

Adam Miller, 3News' Director of Content, selected for '40 under 40' list by Crain's Cleveland

Adam Miller

Special to the Director's Cut

from wkyc.com

A big congratulations to Adam Miller, who is the director of content here at 3News. He was just recently selected for the “40 under 40” list by Crain’s Cleveland Business.

Adam and the other honorees are being recognized for the difference they make in leading their companies and their communities here in Northeast Ohio.

"Chosen by our editorial team to represent a range of businesses and backgrounds, these 40 are committed to the future of Northeast Ohio," Crain's declares. "They range from professionals to entrepreneurs to community servants. And in a year that has been like no other with the COVID-19 pandemic, many have stepped up in immeasurable ways."

Adam, we thank you for your leadership at wkyc studios!

He joined 3News after previously working as Senior Producer at NBC’s TODAY where he was responsible for programming, launching and developing series content for the fourth hour with Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb.

See the full list of the latest "40 under 40" honorees HERE.

Congrats, Adam!

Danielle Wiggins named co-anchor of "GO!" at 4:30a on 3

WKYC has announced that Danielle Wiggins will be adding more coffee to her morning routine as she takes on an expanded role with "GO!" on 3.

In addition to her regular traffic reporting duties, Danielle will become co-anchor of the station's 4:30 a.m. half hour broadcast along with morning meteorologist Hollie Strano.

Dave Chudowsky and Maureen Kyle will keep getting your day off to a great start from 5 to 7 a.m. on "GO!"

Danielle will also begin anchoring morning news updates across all WKYC's social platforms and reporting uplifting stories of hope that our viewers have come to enjoy between 4:30 a.m. and 7 a.m.

As WKYC Director of Content Adam Miller said, "We couldn't be happier that Danielle's Emmy-award-winning contributions will continue to shine all morning long on WKYC as she has a true gift for connecting with viewers in our community."

Danielle is a graduate of Bedford High School and holds a bachelor's and master's degree in journalism and mass communication from Kent State University. She began her career as a paid intern for NPR’s afternoon newsmagazine show “All Things Considered.” She then went on to work at the CBS and ABC affiliates in Cleveland.

TEGNA’s Justice Network to Relaunch as True Crime Network, Creating the First 24/7 True Crime Broadcast Network

TEGNA Inc., parent company of WKYC, announced that Justice Network, TEGNA’s leading multicast television network featuring crime and investigative programming, is undergoing a comprehensive rebranding and on July 27 will relaunch as True Crime Network. Justice Network is beginning an on-air promotional campaign today to inform viewers of the upcoming True Crime Network rebrand.

True Crime Network will offer a unique entertainment experience for true crime fans, integrating the 24/7 multicast network with a free, on-demand streaming service and high-quality true crime podcasts from TEGNA’s VAULT Studios. True Crime Network’s new on-demand streaming service, which will launch this summer, is dedicated exclusively to true crime content and programming.

The service will include free, ad-supported on-demand episodes that will be available via web, mobile and connected television apps. The service will initially launch with hundreds of hours of on-demand content from the network’s library. True Crime Network will also include original programs developed from TEGNA stations’ vast library of true crime and investigative content.


“True Crime Network capitalizes on the rapid growth of several distinct segments of media and entertainment: over-the-air television viewing, on-demand and binge streaming, podcasting and the true crime genre,” said Brian Weiss, president and general manager, TEGNA’s entertainment multicast networks.

“Our audience has spoken passionately about their desire to binge true crime mystery content. True Crime Network serves our highly-loyal, growing audience of true crime enthusiasts, while our streaming service will offer a free, easily-accessible and exciting experience for all true crime fans.”

The network will also continue to air its popular BeSafe Safety Tips. Hosted by Atlanta Police Sergeant Ralph Woolfolk, the segments provide helpful tips to keep viewers’ families and neighborhoods safer.

True Crime Network’s website, www.truecrimenetworktv.com, and app will also host true crime news powered by TEGNA stations and podcasts produced by TEGNA’s VAULT Studios, in partnership with True Crime Network.

The True Crime Network will air on WKYC Channel 3.2

WKYC adds Meteorologist Matt Standridge to the 3News Weather Team

Matt Standridge (Courtesy: KFSM-TV)

By Frank Macek

@maceknewsnation

WKYC has announced Matt Standridge will join the 3News Weather Team beginning in September.

Most recently at our TEGNA sister station, KFSM-TV/Fort Smith/Fayetteville, Arkansas, Matt is currently the weekend morning meteorologist and host of "Arkansas Adventures" where he showcases exciting scenic life in the great outdoors.

WKYC Director of Content Adam Miller says Matt will become the station's weekend evening meteorologist for "3News: What Matters Most" at 6p and "3News: What's Next" at 11p joining Lynna Lai, Andrew Horansky and Sports Anchor Nick Camino.

Born in Oklahoma, Matt eventually moved to upstate NY where he fell in love with a concept called "Lake Effect Snow." He graduated from Valparaiso University with a Bachelor of Science in Meteorology with a minor in Digital Media.

Matt's career even took him to North Dakota where he held a Radar Meteorologist position that involved directing air traffic control. A Certified Broadcast Meteorologist (CBM), Matt brings his forecasting skills, creativity & passion to Cleveland just a week after this wedding.. Talk about life changes!

Matt is very active on social media and has over 200,000 following him and millions "liking" his content on TikTok. Be sure to check him out @weathermanmatt.

WKYC Studios General Manager Micki Byrnes named SME Cleveland 2020 Business Executive of the Year

Special to the Director's Cut Blog
By Dave "Dino" Denatle, wkyc.com

Sales & Marketing Executives Cleveland (SME Cleveland) has bestowed its 2020 Business Executive of the Year award to our own Micki Byrnes, President and General Manager of WKYC Studios.

The award acknowledges excellence in sales and marketing achievement and is based on the demonstration of the highest business, professional and ethical standards. It will be presented at the 59th annual Distinguished Marketing and Sales Awards gala banquet on Thursday evening at Executive Caterers at Landerhaven.

WKYC Studios VP/General Manager Micki Byrnes

“I’m truly honored,” Micki says “I came up on the marketing side of the business so to receive this particular honor from SME was truly special to me.”

Micki joined 3News in 1997 as Director of Marketing and was named Vice President, Advertising and Promotion in 2000, and Station Manager in 2014.

She has held broadcast management positions in Boston, San Francisco, Atlanta and Orlando. Byrnes is a past Chair and Director of PROMAX, International, the television industry’s premiere marketing association. She has also served on the marketing advisory boards of CBS Television, ABC Television and Fox Broadcasting and is the past Chairperson of the NBC Affiliate Promotion Committee.

Byrnes is only the second woman to ever win the SME Cleveland Business Executive of the Year and is proud of helping to continue the growth of women as leaders of business and industry.


The award will be presented on Thursday evening at Executive Caterers at Landerhaven.

“I’m old enough in this world and in this career that I have been ‘the only’ in many ways,” Micki explains. “There’s more that has to happen to open doors to get women into senior leadership. Personally, I just went for it and didn’t let the fact that I was ‘the only’ in a room hold me back.”

Micki has also distinguished herself in community service. She was a member of the 2005 class of Leadership Cleveland and continues to serve on their Selection Committee. She helped create the US Marshal of Northern Ohio’s Posse for Community Outreach and was a member of the FBI Citizen’s Academy class of 2012.

Micki currently serves as a board member of the Cuyahoga Community College Foundation, In Counsel with Women, the Greater Cleveland Chapter of the American Red Cross, The Cleveland Leadership Center, Destination Cleveland, the Ohio Association of Broadcasters and Coats for Kids.

Micki has won numerous regional Emmy, Telly and Addy Awards. She was inducted into the Cleveland Association of Broadcasters’ Hall of Fame in 2013 and was named a 2016 YWCA Woman of Achievement and a 2016 Crain’s Woman of Note. She was also named 2016 General Manager of the Year by Broadcasting & Cable magazine.

RELATED: Micki Byrnes – WKYC’s 70th Birthday Celebration 10.31.18
RELATED: WKYC holds first Women's Community Briefing
RELATED: WKYC President Micki Byrnes receives YWCA Women of Achievement Award

Classic WKYC Promos: Channel 3 News in 1986

By Frank Macek

@maceknewsnation

Check out these classic promos featuring the Channel 3 News Team featuring the main talent of Leon Bibb, Doreen Gentzler, Shane Hollett and Kevin Mackey from Cleveland State University from 1986.

How many of these do you remember on the air?

Our special thanks to David Hrvatin at WKYC for digitizing these promos here at WKYC Studios.

3News' Jim Donovan celebrates 35 years at WKYC

Special to the Director's Cut Blog
from wkyc.com

Cheers to 35 years!

On Thursday's What's Next, WKYC Studios paid tribute to one of our own. The month of February marks Jim Donovan's 35th year at WKYC.

Growing up in South Boston, Jimmy had a love for sports, especially the Bruins, watching games alongside his father. Jimmy graduated from Boston University in 1978, shortly after taking jobs in Vermont and Minnesota.

In 1985, as a curly haired sportscaster, he began his journey here in Cleveland. Jimmy arrived in Cleveland and never looked back.

His life was hectic, covering all areas of Cleveland Sports from the Browns, Cavs and Indians to the Cleveland Marathon and even Soap Box Derby. His work eventually landed him a job with the NBC Network, travelling all over the country calling NFL games every Sunday.

In 1999, Jimmy was named the "Radio Voice of the Cleveland Browns." As he prepares for his 22nd season, think about this: the browns have had 10 full time head coaches, dozens and dozens of starting quarterbacks, but only one voice.

It's a job Jimmy cherishes and doesn't take lightly for the most loyal fan-base in all of sports.

Boston may be home, but Cleveland is where his heart is.

It's been a wild ride for our colleague and friend, let's take a look at Jim's continuing incredible ride in the player below:

Exciting changes for WKYC Studios: Sara Shookman brings fresh Insight & new addition Laura Caso joins 3News

WKYC Studios’ President and General Manager Micki Byrnes announced exciting updates to the 3News evening lineup.

“As WKYC continues to explore new ways to engage with the audiences of Northeast Ohio, we are excited to share that Sara Shookman will be joining Jim Donovan as co-anchor of Front Row,” said Byrnes.

Front Row, weeknights at 7 p.m., gives viewers a closer look at the news makers and taste makers that are shaping our Northeast Ohio community. Then, Sara will continue her co-anchoring responsibilities with Russ Mitchell at 11 p.m. on Cleveland’s top rated “What’s Next.”

Sara Shookman

"Like any long suffering Browns fan, Jimmy's voice has gotten in my head,” said Sara. “Now I'm thrilled to sit next to him and give you a Front Row seat to all that's important, interesting, impactful and happening in our community. We want to connect you with the news makers, our community critics and cheerleaders, and ask your questions."

Sara is one of 3News' go-to storytellers, covering local, national and international news. Sara is a thought leader in the community and uses the 3News platform to make sure the voices of powerful women and girls are being heard loud and clear.

“Sara has always had a gift for identifying the most compelling and newsworthy stories and people,” said Director of Content Adam Miller. “We’re excited for Sara to give a “Front Row” seat to viewers as she shines a light on Cleveland’s best and brightest.”

“3News is also very happy to announce that journalist Laura Caso will be joining the 3News family as co-anchor of What Matters Most at 6pm,” Byrnes said. “Laura is an award-winning journalist who will be joining the team from WAVY-TV in Norfolk, where she currently anchors multiple evening shows.”

Laura Caso (Photo: Courtesy: WAVY-TV)

“Laura’s inherent desire to sincerely connect with people and immerse herself in a community, seeking out the stories that matter most – is a strength uniquely suited for our mission here at 3News,” added Miller. “We’re thrilled to welcome Laura to Northeast Ohio and know that viewers will quickly welcome her with open arms.”

Laura began her career by way of Elmira, NY where she anchored the morning news for WENY-TV. After exploring the Twin Tiers, she moved to Jacksonville, FL where she served as weekend anchor and reporter for TEGNA on First Coast News. The next step in her journey took her to WAVY-TV in Hampton Roads, Virginia where she contributed to the launch of two new evening newscasts. Laura is beyond thrilled to return to TEGNA and focus on what the company does best, hard-hitting journalism.

"Sharing stories that matter, not simply scratching the surface of a topic but delving deeper, that is why I choose this career,” said Caso. ”I am so proud and excited to be joining the WKYC team, a station with an impeccable reputation that understands the significant impact local news can have on a community."

3News’ Evening News Lineup:

5 p.m.: “What’s New” with Betsy Kling & Jay Crawford
6 p.m.: “What Matters Most” with Russ Mitchell & Laura Caso
7 p.m.: “Front Row” with Jim Donovan & Sara Shookman
11 p.m. “What’s Next” with Russ Mitchell & Sara Shookman

More about Laura Caso

Laura is an Emmy-nominated journalist for her report on breaking News Coverage and throughout her career has been honored with several awards at local and state levels. Most recently, she was awarded by the Associated Press for Best Coverage of a Spot News Story. She also received an award for Best Newscast at a Large Television Market by the Virginia Associated Press Broadcasters.

While in Virginia, Laura covered the arrival of President Trump and Vice President Mike Pence on two separate occasions and contributed to team coverage of several high-profile stories including the tragic mass shooting in Virginia Beach. She has anchored wall-to-wall coverage during tornadoes and hurricanes in Virginia, North Carolina and beyond. Yet, it is the more human accounts that touch Laura the most and hold a place in her heart forever. Laura's continuing coverage in 2019 of a young boy's battle with cancer allowed him to find the life-saving liver he needed – allowing Laura to experience first-hand the life-changing positive impact her work can have.

Laura is a proud alumna of University of Miami where she majored in Music and Broadcast journalism. A Massachusetts native, Laura’s love for music was woven throughout her childhood - singing at a Boston Red Sox game with her school choir remains a cherished memory. Laura began creating children’s stories at a young age as well, and this is undoubtedly where her passion for journalism and writing blossomed. In the fifth grade, Laura’s book entitled “Chicken Pox Explosion” was published and her first book signing remains one of her proudest moments. She continues reading to children along the east coast and whether it is hard news copy or a fairy tale, Laura thrives on telling a good story. Laura is an advocate of children's literacy and over the last several years, has also supported Alzheimer’s and AIDS awareness, suicide and drug addiction prevention and of course childhood cancer awareness.

When Laura is not in the studio or reporting on a story, you will find her exploring Cleveland and its delightful and diverse neighborhoods. She and her husband love to travel and spend time with their pup, Sadie. Her deep Italian roots have instilled in her the importance of family, friends and of course, food. Laura enjoys cooking and baking and hopes to one day master her mother’s homemade pistachio cake. She is thrilled to serve Northeast Ohio and looks forward to getting to know the amazing people who call it home.

More about Sara Shookman

Sara’s anchoring, and in particular her strengths in the field, won her a 2017 Emmy for talent. She’s won five regional Emmy awards and a regional Edward R. Murrow Award. Cleveland Magazine named Sara one of the city’s most interesting people.

Sara's become a vocal advocate for cancer research, since losing her father in 2015. She's spearheaded Team WKYC's efforts in Cleveland Clinic's Velosano ride, and raised more than $150,000 with her family's team, Spreading Scott's Smile. She volunteers alongside a variety of nonprofit organizations through events, station initiatives and personal visits. She's served on the Northern Ohio chapter of Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Board of Trustees, the Board of Directors for Towards Employment, and as part of the capital campaign committee for Stewart’s Caring Place, a cancer care center in Akron. She’s also passionate about volunteering with The Boys & Girls Clubs of Cleveland and the SeriousFun Children’s Network’s Flying Horse Farms in Mt. Gilead.

Sara grew up in Akron. She’s a proud graduate of Manchester High School and lover of the Portage Lakes. She’s glad to be back at 3News, where she first worked as an intern during her college years at Ohio University. She graduated summa cum laude from the E. W. Scripps School of Journalism. Prior to 3News, Sara was reporting and filling in at the anchor desk at WVLT in Knoxville, Tennessee. Sara got her start in television at WOUB in Athens, Ohio.

When she's not at work, Sara wants to get outside and on the water. She enjoys standup paddle boarding, gardening and cycling in the summer, and cross-country skiing in the winter! She and her husband love to travel and try new restaurants in the CLE. They're expecting their first child in May 2020.
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Remember When? WKYC Staff in 2008

By Frank Macek

@maceknewsnation

How many of these familiar faces can you remember from the Channel 3 News team back in 2008?

Take a guess first, then click here for the correct answers!

#1.

#2. 

#3. 

 #4. 

#5. 

#6. 

Classic WKYC Promos: Channel 3 News in 2007

By Frank Macek

@maceknewsnation

Check out these classic promos featuring the Channel 3 News Team featuring the main talent of Tim White, Romona Robinson, Mark Nolan and Jim Donovan from 2007.

How many of these do you remember on the air?

Our special thanks to David Hrvatin at WKYC for digitizing these promos here at WKYC Studios.

"What's New" launched on 3 today at 5p

By Frank Macek

@maceknewsnation

If you missed the inaugural show of "What's New" at 5p, you can watch it again below with Jay Crawford, Betsy Kling, Stephanie Haney and Matt Wintz. (pictured below)

The "What's New" team. Photo by Matt Wintz

Feel free to post your comments below about the show.

"What's New" replaces "Ellen" who moves to 4 p.m., while "Dr. Phil" moves to 3 p.m. and "Daily Blast Live" now airs at 2 p.m.

"Kelly Clarkson" moved to 11 a.m. followed  by the newly titled show "It's About You" (formery "Live on  Lakeside" at noon Monday through Thursday and "We the People" on Friday.

Watch today's debut below:

"What's New" at 5p debuts this Monday, January 20th, on 3

Monday is the big day here at WKYC Studios! We launch our brand new 5p show with Jay Crawford and Betsy Kling called "What's New." 

To make room for the broadcast, we are shuffling some of your favorite daytime shows around. 

Take a look at their new times on 3:

Throwback Thursday: WKYC in 1991

By Frank Macek

@maceknewsnation

Time for another installment of "Throwback Thursday" which takes a look back at some of the historical milestones at WKYC Studios.

The time machine takes us back to 1991 with a timeline of some of the biggest moments of that year at WKYC.

February 28, 1991: Jennifer Auther departs WKYC-TV for KPIX-TV/San Francisco.

March 25, 1991: WKYC-TV becomes the first Cleveland station to install robotic cameras and the last to begin accepting “infomercials.” The cameras were nicknamed “Mike, “Bob” and “Louie” (probably after the previous cameramen).

May 1, 1991: WKYC-TV announces the resignation of Vice President and General Manager John Llewellyn and remains with the station through May 31^st. Llewellynn guided the station through the ownership transition period from NBC to Multimedia.

May 1991: Linda Carson departs WKYC-TV for WWSB-TV/Sarasota.

June 10, 1991: WKYC-TV names Pat Servodidio as Vice President & General Manager from RKO General/New York where was he was previously president.

June 11, 1991: News Director Paul Beavers departs WKYC-TV.

July 1991: WKYC-TV names Dick Reingold as News Director. He joins the station from WMAQ-TV/Chicago where he was News Director.

June 28, 1991: Allen Davis departs WKYC-TV.

July 12, 1991: Jill Beach leaves WKYC-TV for WTVJ-TV/Miami.

July 10, 1991: Steve Browne departs WKYC-TV and eventually joins KSAT-TV/San Antonio. Station management ordered him “off the air” for brief comments during the "First Report" that followed published reports that TV-3 would not pick up his contract option. Terry Burhans replaces him temporarily 6 nights a week.

August 31, 1991: John Gerard, the primary meteorologist for sister station WLWT-TV/Cincinnati becomes temporary weekend forecaster at WKYC-TV – although he will not return to WLWT once his duties are over as he was replaced. Between the 6 and 11 p.m. broadcast on his first night, Gerard was repeatedly hit over the back of the head with a club or a blackjack while standing in the restroom about 9 p.m. at the Sheraton City Centre Hotel at 777 St. Clair Ave. where he was staying and needed 13 stitches.

September 1, 1991: WKYC-TV airs the final edition of the half hour “Feagler” at 11 a.m. so Dick Feagler can concentrate on a new series of locally produced specials and his nightly commentaries on Channel News at 11.

September 1, 1991: WKYC-TV moves “Sunday Today in Cleveland” to 6:30 a.m. (from 8:30 a.m.) NBC’s “Sunday Today” moves to 8 a.m. (from 9 a.m.) and “Meet the Press” moves to 9:30 a.m. (from 10:30 a.m.)

September 9, 1991: WKYC-TV adds “The Maury Povich Show” to its daily weekday lineup at 4 p.m.

September 9, 1991: WKYC-TV adds “Entertainment Tonight” to its daily weekday lineup at 7:30 p.m. with John Tesh and Mary Hart.

September 16, 1991: WKYC-TV adds “The Jenny Jones Show” to its daily weekday lineup at 9 a.m.

September 16, 1991: WKYC-TV adds “Love Stories” to its daily weekday lineup at noon starring Kristian Alfonso.

September 30, 1991: WKYC-TV adds “The Jerry Springer Show” to its daily weekday lineup at 10 a.m.

November 1991: Leon Bibb goes from the co-anchor slot at 6 & 11 p.m. to a reporter on Channel 3’s “First Report” newscast that triggered protests from the Cleveland chapter of the NAACP.

November 1991: Jim Hooley becomes weeknight anchor of Channel 3 News at 6 p.m.

November 1991: Tom Sweeney goes from the “First Report” as anchor back to general assignment reporting.

November 2, 1991: Larry Cosgrove joins WKYC-TV from WSYX-TV/Columbus (started as a substitute for John Gerard who provided weekend relief for Terry Burhans after Steve Browne’s departure).

November 4, 1991: Nick Cellini joins WKYC-TV from WWWE-AM/Cleveland as sports reporter replacing Allen Davis.

November 9, 1991: Tom Sweeney joins Kim Brattain on the weekend 6 & 11 pm news.

November 11, 1991: Lillian Williams joins WKYC-TV from WMAQ-TV/Chicago and will replace Paul Rae in the Akron Bureau after a few weeks in Cleveland.

November 11, 1991: Dick Feagler becomes weeknight anchor of Channel 3 News at 11 pm until the Fall of 1993 after providing commentary for the station since joining in 1974.

November 22, 1991: Akron Bureau Reporter Paul Rae departs WKYC-TV.

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This timeline is based on station archives and various newspaper stories. If you feel something is in error, please let me know and we'll make any necessary corrections. Email me at fmacek@wkyc.com

WKYC's all-day volunteer recruitment blitz, 'Mentor Monday,' returns on January 27

Special to the Director's Cut
By Margaret Bernstein, wkyc.com

Russ Mitchell interviews his new mentee on air during Mentor Monday 2019.

1,000 mentors are needed to help local students succeed in college. And if you have a college degree, you fit the bill.

For the second year, WKYC Studios will present “Mentor Monday,” a day-long on-air recruiting blitz that seeks volunteer mentors to be paired with Say Yes to Education scholarship recipients.

This year, Mentor Monday will be held on Monday, Jan. 27. Throughout the day, WKYC’s newscasts will highlight the College Now of Greater Cleveland mentoring program and give viewers the opportunity to sign up to participate.

During Mentor Monday last year, WKYC anchor Russ Mitchell announced that he had personally become a College Now mentor to a Cleveland high school student. The campaign not only netted 125 volunteers in one day, it also had a tremendous ripple effect, helping lay the groundwork for College Now to meet its overall goal of recruiting 1,000 mentors in 2019.

This year, College Now again needs to recruit 1,000 mentors to pair with seniors who will graduate in spring and head off to two- and four-year colleges in the fall. The need for mentors became a pressing local priority in 2019 when Cleveland became a Say Yes to Education city and hundreds of first-generation students became eligible for full tuition scholarships.

To celebrate Mentor Monday, WKYC studios will also host a small reception to recognize employees of Cleveland Metropolitan School District, who have made a point of stepping up to be among the first to volunteer as mentors.

The reception will be emceed by Cleveland schools CEO Eric Gordon, who will recognize his employees for rising to the challenge and demonstrating their commitment to the students they serve.

The reception will be catered by Chef Doug Katz of Fire Food & Drink, who also has signed up to be a College Now mentor. Drinks also are being provided by Lago Restaurant.

“We are extremely grateful for the partnership of WKYC, the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, and Say Yes Cleveland on Mentor Monday,” said Madeline Rife, director of College Now's mentoring program. “Without their support, we would not be able to reach our goal of recruiting 1,000 mentors to support our scholarship recipients. We are blown away by the community commitment to this initiative.”

Mentor Monday is made possible thanks to generous sponsorship from McDonald Hopkins LLC.

To be a College Now mentor, you must have a college degree, commit to a four-year relationship with a student, pass a background check, and go through a brief training process.

If you would like to make a difference in the life of a scholarship recipient, you don't have to wait until Jan. 27. Apply online at www.collegenowgc.org/become-a-mentor to be considered for a match in summer 2020. For more information, contact Jabari Dorsey at College Now (jdorsey@collegenowgc.org or 216.635.0268).

WKYC Studios has a new daytime lineup starting January 20th

By Frank Macek

@maceknewsnation

WKYC has a number of new changes to our daytime lineup effective January 20th as we get set to launch our brand new show at 5 p.m. weekdays.

"What's New" will air at 5 p.m. with Jay Crawford & Betsy Kling and will feature the news of the day along with lifestyle and entertainment news.

Here is the new lineup on 3 for the time slots affected:

3 a.m. - "Kelly Clarkson" (Monday through Thursday - repeat)
3 a.m. - "Dr. Phil" (Friday - repeat)

4 a.m. - "Early Today" (NBC)

4:30 a.m. to 7 a.m. - "3News: Go"

7 a.m. to 11 a.m. - "Today"

11 a.m. - "Kelly Clarkson"

12 p.m. - "It's About You" (Monday thru Thursday)
12 p.m. - "We the People" (Friday)

1  p.m. - "Days of Our Lives"

2 p.m. -  "Daily Blast Live"

3 p.m. - "Dr. Phil"

4 p.m. - "Ellen"

5 p.m. - "3News: What's New"

WKYC Rewind: Today in Cleveland on August 8, 1994

By Frank Macek

@maceknewsnation

We are always on the look out for classic WKYC gems. This time, we flashback to August 8, 1994, when Channel 3 Meteorologist Amy Hasten filled in for Tom Haley on "Today in Cleveland."

Here's Del and Amy...

Enjoy!

 

The Countdown has begun to What's New

The clock is ticking...and the debut of our new 5 p.m. show "What's New" is coming soon to 3 with Jay Crawford and Betsy Kling.