Director's Cut Blog with Frank Macek: Meet the Newer Faces at WKYC Studios

Sunday, January 23, 2022

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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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.