Carmen Blackwell Joins the 3News Team

By Frank Macek

@maceknewsnation

The 3News team has grown a little bigger this week with the arrival of Carmen Blackwell as a weeknight reporter at WKYC Studios.

A New Orleans native, Carmen told us she’s ready to call the birthplace of Rock & Roll her new home and "bring a little taste of the Crescent City to the Land," according to 3News Director of Content Adam Miller.

Carmen Blackwell

Carmen joins our station from KSAZ-TV/Phoenix, Arizona, where she was most recently a weekday morning reporter. 

Graduating with a Bachelor's degree in Journalism from the University of Louisiana at Monroe and Carmen began her career as a weekday morning anchor, reporter and producer at KALB-TV in Alexandria, LA before moving to the FOX affiliate in Phoenix. 

When not reporting, Carmen enjoys spending time with her husband, one-year-old son and Mini Aussie Poo pup named Lola.

Look for Carmen on our evening newscasts beginning next week.

TEGNA Earns Perfect Score for LGBTQ+ Workplace Equality for Sixth Consecutive Year in Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 2022 Corporate Equality Index

TEGNA Inc. (NYSE: TGNA) today announced that, for the sixth consecutive year, it has received a perfect score of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 2022 Corporate Equality Index (“CEI”), the nation’s foremost benchmarking survey and report measuring corporate policies and practices related to LGBTQ+ workplace equality.

“It is an honor to once again receive a perfect score on the Corporate Equality Index and be designated a Best Places to Work for LGBTQ+ Equality,” said Grady Tripp, vice president and chief diversity officer, TEGNA. “We are proud of the work we are doing to build an inclusive workplace that welcomes employees from diverse backgrounds, perspectives and experiences, and we remain dedicated to supporting equality and equal rights for all.”

The 2022 CEI evaluated over 1,200 companies promoting LGBTQ+-friendly policies and practices including non-discrimination workplace protections, equitable benefits for LGBTQ+ workers and their families, inclusive culture and corporate social responsibility.

TEGNA proudly supports several diverse causes within the LGBTQ+ community and is an active supporter of NLGJA: The Association of Lesbian and Gay Journalists. TEGNA Foundation has supported students’ participation in the organization’s annual conference for more than six years. In 2021, the TEGNA Foundation provided a grant to support LGBTQ student journalists through Connect, the organization’s journalism training project, which was held during their two-day virtual convention. TEGNA also sponsored a workshop entitled “Reunited: Managing Newsroom Relationships After a Year of Remote Work,” where journalists and managers shared first-hand experience and facilitated discussions with attendees about how to manage, maintain, and grow employee-manager relationships after the pandemic. TEGNA also participated in the conference’s virtual Career Fair and spoke with candidates seeking employment.

The TEGNA Foundation has also supported the Washington AIDS Partnership since 1992, specifically the Health Corps program, a group of 12 recent college graduates who serve at local health care providers or social service organizations. The Foundation also partners with LGBTQ-focused nonprofits in TEGNA’s local markets. In Washington, D.C. the Foundation works with the Latin American Youth Center’s STRIPES program, an after-school education, leadership and awareness-building program focused on LGBTQ ally training and issues related to LGBTQ identity.

More information on TEGNA’s benefits, including parental leave, adoption and surrogacy assistance and mental health benefits is available at TEGNA.com/careers/benefits/.

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NOTE: TEGNA is the parent company of WKYC-TV. The above is a press release issued by TEGNA on January 27, 2022.

Tonight at 7p on 3: A Turning Point

Coming up tonight at 7p on 3, we'll present another edition of "Front Row: A Turning Point."

The belief that when blacks and Latinos move ahead, whites lose ground.

Author Heather McGhee calls it "zero-sum thinking."

We talk with the woman behind the New York Times bestseller "The Sum of Us."

You'll hear her theory as we explore solutions that allow all Americans to prosper together.

Join us tonight at 7p on 3 for our on-going series called "A Turning Point."

Director's Cut Blog EXTRA: 

Upon exploring some issues raised in The Sum of Us by author Heather McGhee, 3News hosted "A Turning Point" panel conversation on Tuesday afternoon connected to the concerns surrounding environmental racism and justice.

3News contributor Chris Webb moderated the discussion on how to be solution-oriented when it comes to diversity, equity and inclusion issues, climate justice and building an interracial coalition around environmental issues.

You can watch that panel discussion below from January 25, 2022, presented by wkyc.com:

For more of "A Turning Point," visit our special section on our website: wkyc.com/turningpoint

Evening Anchor Russ Mitchell Celebrates 10 Years at WKYC

By Frank Macek

@maceknewsnation

Congratulations to our own Russ Mitchell in celebrating his 10 year anniversary with WKYC Studios this month.

In December 2011, former WKYC VP/General Manager Brooke Spectorsky announced to the staff Russ would be moving from his role at CBS News to become weeknight Managing Editor and the 6 & 11P anchor on the station in January 2012.

He would replace Romona Robinson who left the station upon the expiration of her contract on December 16, 2011, following a 15 year stint with the station. Most of that time, Robinson was teamed with co-anchor Tim White who also exited in 2008.

Seen as a coup at the time by local media insiders who were shocked the station failed to renew Robinson's contract, Russ left his role as an anchor  and journalist at CBS News to head to Cleveland. 

While based at CBS in New York City since 1992, Russ held a number of roles at the network over the next 19 years including co-anchor of "Up To the Minute," original co-anchor of the "Saturday Early Show," news anchor for the weekday edition of "This Morning," weekend anchor of "CBS Evening News" and a primary weeknight substitute for Dan Rather, John Roberts, Bob Schieffer, Katie Couric and Scott Pelley on the "CBS Evening News"

Said Mitchell of the change: "I've been thinking about going back to local television for a few years... It's been a great run at CBS, but I miss the pulse of a local newsroom, and, being from the Midwest, I miss being part of a community. But I wasn't going to go just anywhere. Cleveland reminds me a great deal of the city where I grew up, and I'm looking forward to bringing my family because I think we're going to have a really good life there, " according to his bio on Wikipedia.

Mitchell was born in St. Louis and graduated with a BA in Journalism in 1982 from the University of Missouri.

Meet the Newer Faces at WKYC Studios

By Frank Macek

@maceknewsnation

As we kick off 2022 and the re-launch of the Director's Cut Blog, I wanted to share with you a few of the new faces you have seen lately on WKYC. Even though the pandemic has disrupted all of our lives, we have been working hard behind the scenes to put together the best team of people to bring you the news, weather and sports you've come to expect from WKYC.

With our team in place, all of us at WKYC Studios are now getting ready for the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, The Super Bowl and NBA All-Star Weekend in the CLE. It's going to be a February to remember.

Let's take a look at some of the new people who have joined WKYC Studios in 2021.

Payton Domschke

Payton Domschke

Payton Domschke joined the 3News weather team in December 2021 as our 5th meteorologist.

After spending the last two years on the East Coast with our sister station WVEC - 13News Now, Payton was thrilled to return to her beloved Midwest. She was born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois, and she is named after famous Chicago Bears running back Walter Payton.

Some of Payton’s other passions include health and fitness, photography, and so much more. She can’t wait to get to know NE Ohio!

Emma Henderson

Emma Henderson

Emma joined WKYC December 1, 2021, from our TEGNA station WTOL-TV/Toledo, Ohio. 

Emma is also an award-winning journalist proud to be reporting in her home state.

Born and raised in the Columbus area, she went to the University of Missouri where she got her start at KOMU 8 News graduating in 2016 with a Bachelor's of Journalism in Broadcast with a focus in Investigative Reporting.

Isabel Lawrence 

Isabel Lawrence

Isabel joined WKYC from NBC15 in Madison, Wisconsin, on November 15, 2021. 

She was a weekday morning anchor at the NBC affiliate before journeying to the CLE.

While Isabel’s 2:30 a.m. alarm will no longer sound five days a week, she'll still be waking up early on Sundays, when she’ll be anchoring GO! During the week, you can catch her reporting for What’s New and What Matters Most.

Jason Mikell

Jason Mikell

Jason joined us from TEGNA station KVUE-TV/Austin, Texas, on September 13, 2021. 

Jason previously worked in the Buckeye State at WLIO in Lima, Ohio, beginning in 2016 as weekend meteorologist and later that year promoted to Chief Meteorologist. 

His love for meteorology began at a very young age growing up in south Mississippi. A self-proclaimed foodie and huge music lover, travel is one of Jason's biggest interests. He looks forward to exploring the many hidden treasures of Northeast Ohio.

Lydia Esparra

Lydia Esparra

Lydia rejoined WKYC from WOIO-TV/Cleveland, Ohio, at the end of August 2021.

Lydia was born and raised in Youngstown, Ohio, and earned a BA Degree in Telecommunications from The Ohio State University. 

In 1997, she became the first Latina news reporter at a Cleveland television station. In 2012, Lydia received the Robert G. McGruder Diversity in Media Distinguished Leadership Award from Kent State University. In 2014, she was named the “Ohio Television News Anchor of the Year” by the La Voz Media Alliance and received the Coretta Scott King Award from the NAACP 34-AB.

Marisa Saenz

Marisa Saenz

Marisa joined WKYC in March 2021 from KFOX14-TV & KDBC-TV/El Paso, Texas. 

During her time there, Marisa covered international stories, including breaking news of asylum seekers crossing into the U.S. from Mexico, the devastating Cielo Vista Aug. 3 Walmart shooting that left 23 people dead, and the surge in COVID-19 cases in the Borderland that made international news.

While Marisa’s passion lies in telling stories across the board, she’s most passionate in telling investigative pieces that allow her to help solve problems Northeast Ohioans are facing.

Dominic Ferrante

Dominic Ferrante

Dominic Ferrante has lived his entire life on the east side of Cleveland. After a short time in Mayfield, he moved out to Chardon and has lived there ever since. Dominic is most supported by his mother and father, two younger twin brothers and an older sister.

After attending Chardon High school and graduating in 2016, Dominic continued his education at Bowling Green State University. In his free time Dominic loves spending time with his dogs and girlfriend, Morgan. If not there, Dominic can be found on the bike path or flying his drone. 

January Keaton

January Keaton

January Keaton joined WKYC Studios on January 25, 2021.

January is a Lorain native and Kent State University graduate who has worked for more than 15 years in various news markets, beginning behind-the-scenes as a producer right here in Northeast Ohio at both WOIO and later for WEWS' morning broadcast. 

January has also traveled the country as part of the touring cast of an acclaimed musical before eventually returning to her news roots in 2011 as an Anchor/MMJ for WTEN in Albany, New York.

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A special thanks to the writers at wkyc.com for providing the biographical information.