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Get to Know Your Blogger Frank Macek

If you're new to the Director's Cut Blog, welcome—I'm glad you're here! I'm Frank Macek, and if you've spent any time in Cleveland broadcasting, there's a good chance my name or voice rings a bell. Whether you've caught it in the credits or over the airwaves, I've been part of the Cleveland and northeast Ohio TV and radio scene since 1988. But truthfully, the spark was lit long before that—ever since I was a kid captivated by the magic of radio dials and television screens.

Frank Macek at WKYC Studios
Right after graduating at the top of my class from James A. Garfield High School in Garrettsville, Ohio, I landed my first job at WLND-AM/830 in Cortland. It was a tiny country station with just 1,000 watts, but it gave me my first taste of live broadcasting as the morning news anchor. Not long after, I handled my first on-air shifts and hosted a Saturday morning favorite called “The Treasure Chest of Bargains.” It was local radio at its best.

That fall, I started college at Cleveland State University, where I earned my B.A. in Communications. During school, I jumped into the Cleveland radio scene, working weekends at WDOK-FM and WWWE-AM thanks to PD Sue Wilson and Marketing Director Sandy Kish Jordan.

Pretty soon, I was promoted to Programming/Promotions Coordinator. When WWWE was swapped with WRMR-AM/850 in 1990, I moved into the role of Assistant Program/Music Director for WRMR and launched a bunch of original shows like "Music Showcase" and "Frank Macek Presents." I also got the surreal experience of filling in for some of Cleveland’s radio greats—Carl Reese, Ronnie Barrett, Jim Davis and the legendary Bill Randle. For quite a while, I became the regular fill-in host of Ronnie Barrett's "Saturday Night Swing" show featuring the classic pop music of the 20th century. 

Frank Macek (left) at WRMR-AM/850 with the staff
By May 1994, I left WDOK & WRMR and made the leap to television, joining WKYC-TV in Cleveland. I started behind the scenes as a studio tech running audio, cameras, master control—you name it. By 1995, I was directing weekend newscasts and by 1997, became a full-time member of WKYC’s award-winning production team. Over the years, I’ve directed our evening newscasts, helped launch special programming, and pitched in as a graphics op, technical director, digital producer, and blogger.

Along with directing at WKYC, I returned to radio part-time at Smooth Jazz 107.3 WNWV from 1995 to 20024, programming the format both locally on the Wave and nationally with Jones Radio Network out of Denver, Colorado, under the mentoring of national programmer Steve Hibbard.

In 2020, during the height of the pandemic, I was diagnosed with stage 3 prostate cancer—a moment that truly changed my life and shifted my outlook. Today, I’m grateful to be a cancer survivor and passionate about encouraging men to prioritize regular prostate screenings. I also proudly support initiatives by the Cleveland Clinic that focus on advancing cancer research and guiding others through their own paths to healing.

By 2022, I took on the role of Production Manager at WKYC after the retirement of longtime Director Allen Wohl. In that role, I oversaw the daily operations of our Production Department and worked alongside an incredible team of Directors and Production Assistants. But my passion has always been in the control room, so I eventually made the decision to return full-time to what I love most—directing the weeknight editions of "3News at 6" and "What’s Next" at 11 p.m., where I stay focused on delivering smooth, high-quality broadcasts each night currently.

Outside the newsroom, I’ve had the pleasure of working on specials like the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame's grand opening weekend for WKYC in September 1995, Travel Ohio, Tis the Season and The Great Lakes Auto Show. I’ve also done a fair share of sports programming too with shows like Browns Tonight, Friday Night Fever, and Indians Live for SportsTime Ohio when they shared studio space with WKYC at 1333 Lakeside Avenue.

Frank Macek at Smooth Jazz, 107.3 The Wave
I’ve been lucky enough to earn some recognition along the way, including local Emmy Awards, a WKYC Employee of the Month nod, and several Marconi Awards while at WNWV. One project I’m especially proud of is a special for the American Cancer Society called "When There’s Cancer in the Family, Kids Count Too" while working with the legendary Queen of radio community affairs, Rena Blumberg.

These days, I live on Cleveland's westside and love to travel—especially to Hawaii and Puerto Rico with my long-time husband—and I’m always geeking out over the weather, vintage broadcasting history, or adding to my music collection. I also enjoy a good crossword, exploring new places, and digging into weather data just for fun.

Thanks for stopping by the blog—I’m excited to share more of my journey with you!

Feel free to connect with me through social media:

📱 Frank's Social Media Accounts

*Facebook (Friends): https://www.facebook.com/frank.macek  (send me a friend request)
*Facebook (WKYC): https://www.facebook.com/MacekNewsNation
*X: https://x.com/MacekNewsNation
*BlueSky:  https://bsky.app/profile/frankmacek.bsky.social
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The Most Popular Posts from the Director's Cut Blog

Big Changes Coming to WKYC: New Noon Newscast, Updated Morning Start, and Expanded Streaming Options Begin October 20

By Frank Macek Great things are happening at WKYC starting Monday (October 20), and viewers are going to notice. The station is rolling out a refreshed lineup, new faces in new time slots, and expanded streaming options — all designed to make it easier to stay connected with the stories that matter most to Northeast Ohio. The biggest headline is the debut of 3News at Noon, a brand-new midday newscast airing from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday on Channel 3 and streaming live on WKYC+. On Fridays, viewers can catch a shorter, half-hour version of the noon broadcast before the always-entertaining “Ultimate Cleveland Sports Show.”  Anchors Brissa Bradfield and David Greenberg will team up to bring viewers the latest news, weather, and stories happening around the community — the perfect way to get caught up in the middle of your day. This new addition fills a big gap in the local lineup and gives Clevelanders a fresh option for midday news. Whether you’re taking a lunch bre...
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Natalie Clydesdale Joins WKYC Studios and the 3News Team

By Frank Macek Natalie Clydesdale      A fresh, dynamic voice is joining the ranks of 3News, and her name is Natalie Clydesdale. Beginning Monday, May 19, Natalie steps into her new role as a multi-skilled journalist at WKYC Studios, bringing experience, passion, and a true love for storytelling to the Northeast Ohio community. Originally from Pittsburgh, Natalie is excited to return closer to her roots. With family already in Northeast Ohio, this move not only marks a professional milestone but also a personal one. Her familiarity with the region and its people gives her a unique perspective that will no doubt enhance her ability to tell the stories that matter most. Natalie arrives in Cleveland from KFOR-TV, the NBC affiliate in Oklahoma City, where she worked as a morning anchor and reporter. During her time there, she became known for her calm presence during breaking news coverage and her ability to connect with viewers in meaningful ways. Before that, she worked in...
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Where Are They Now: Sara Shookman Shines with Storyglow Studio and Spectrum News 1

by Frank Macek Sara Shookman For nearly a decade, viewers across Northeast Ohio welcomed Sara Shookman into their homes each evening as one of the trusted anchors of WKYC’s 3News. Her calm presence, journalistic integrity, and genuine connection with the Cleveland community made her a standout among local broadcasters. So, when Sara stepped away from her full-time role at WKYC in late 2022 to focus on family and new creative ventures, it left many wondering — what was next? As it turns out, plenty. Today, Sara Shookman is writing a compelling new chapter in her professional life — one that combines storytelling, community impact, and a continued connection to Ohio television. At the center of her current journey is Storyglow Studio , a creative content firm she founded with a mission to help nonprofits and purpose-driven organizations tell their stories with authenticity and heart. Storyglow Studio is built on the belief that powerful storytelling can inspire action. Sara and her t...
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Where Are They Now? - Connie Dieken

Connie Dieken This month, we asked Connie Dieken to share with us some exclusive information on our Director's Cut Blog about what she has been up since leaving the WKYC family in our "Where Are They Now Feature?" We have video of Connie anchoring the 11 pm news at the end of the story. Connie spent 16 years broadcasting the news to Cleveland television viewers, beginning at Channel 3 in 1984. Her first duties at the station were as weekend anchor and consumer reporter. She quickly moved up and joined co-anchor Tom Sweeney on the anchor desk for the 5 PM broadcast...and became a main anchor of Channel 3 News at 6 & 11 PM. Her work garnered numerous high profile communication awards including Emmys, Tellys and being named Best TV Host by Cleveland Magazine. Viewers always loved Connie for her friendly & warm approach to bringing them the news of the day. Also during her stay at Channel 3, she married former Browns offensive lineman Doug Dieken. Her q...
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Job openings at WKYC Studios & TEGNA Ohio for 3/2/26

By Frank Macek WKYC Studios has these job openings available if you are looking for a rewarding career experience with us at TEGNA Media's Cleveland location. We've also now added opportunities for our sister TEGNA stations in Columbus and Toledo as well as other Broadcast Director openings across the country. Current WKYC/Cleveland Job Openings Account Executive   Local Sales Manager   Story Desk Editor   Current WBNS/Columbus Job Openings Account Executive   Meteorologist Meteorologist Multi-Skilled Journalist Produce r Producer Story Desk Editor Current WTOL/Toledo Job Openings Multiskilled Journalist News Producer   Current Broadcast Director Jobs Tegna Openings Broadcast Director - KUSA/KTVD (Denver) Broadcast Director  - KARE (Minneapolis) Broadcast Director  - KARE (Minneapolis) Broadcast Director - KPNX (Phoenix) Broadcast Director - KSDK (St. Louis) Broadcast Director - WGRZ (Buffalo) You can also find other jobs within our parent company...
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Where Are They Now: Amy Murphy (Hasten)

Former WKYC chief forecaster Amy Murphy (formerly Hasten) is our feature this time around on "Where Are They Now?". Amy was a very popular part of WKYC's weather forecasting team during the 1990s along with Mark Nolan and Eileen McShea. After leaving Cleveland, Amy headed to Miami - then finally onward to Los Angeles where we find her these days. Amy Murphy joined the FOX 11 and MY 13 News teams in April of 2006. You can see her regularly on FOX 11 News Saturday and Sunday editions doing the weather. She is also a general assignment reporter during the week, reporting for "FOX 11 News at 10PM," "My 13News at 11 PM" and "Good Day LA" on occasion. Most recently Amy worked in Phoenix as the morning and noon weather forecaster and entertainment reporter. It was there that she earned two Emmy nominations for her coverage for the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. Amy's career has spanned the country from KUSA-TV in Denver, where she was t...
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Brissa Bradfield Joins 3News: A Homecoming for the Ohio Native

Brissa Bradfield 3News is thrilled to welcome Brissa Bradfield to the team, marking a heartfelt return to her home state of Ohio. A Toledo native, Brissa's journey in journalism has taken her across the country, but now she’s back where it all began. Brissa, a proud University of Akron graduate, comes to 3News from ABC7 in Sarasota, Florida, where she served as the morning news anchor for Good Morning Suncoast . Prior to her time in Florida, she was a morning anchor and reporter in Erie, Pennsylvania, honing her skills in delivering the latest news to early risers. At 3News, Brissa will be the new 4:30 a.m. anchor for GO! and will also take on traffic reporting duties during the 5 and 6 a.m. hours. Her experience and enthusiasm make her a perfect fit for Northeast Ohio’s morning viewers who rely on the GO! team to start their day informed and ready to roll. Beyond the newsroom, Brissa is a dedicated Cleveland Browns fan and says she’s eager to be back in Ohio to cheer on her favo...
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Where Are They Now?: Andrew Horansky

By Frank Macek If you watched WKYC during the mid-to-late 2010s, chances are you remember Andrew Horansky. With his thoughtful tone, strong on-air presence, and reporter’s instinct for the human side of the story, Horansky became a familiar face to viewers in Northeast Ohio. He joined Channel 3 in April 2015 after a long and well-traveled journalism career that took him across the country—and even overseas.  At WKYC, he served as both a general assignment reporter and weekend anchor, quickly making his mark with in-depth storytelling and a knack for covering both breaking news and community features with equal skill. Horansky brought a broad resume to Cleveland. Prior to arriving at WKYC, he had reported in Houston Austin, Chicago, Boston, Traverse City and Dubuque and was also known for his international reporting, including coverage from Iraq, Pakistan, Haiti and Sri Lanka. That global perspective, combined with a clear, calm delivery, made him a trusted presence on Cleveland air...
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Frank's Take: Let Producers Produce - Why the Future of News Demands a Return to Editorial Focus

By Frank Macek Walk into any newsroom today like WKYC, and you’ll likely find a familiar scene: a news producer juggling scripts, timing out live elements, coordinating with reporters in the field, updating rundowns—and, increasingly, triggering automation commands, punching live shots, cueing graphics, and managing tech workflows in real-time. In many markets, the days of a dedicated director or technical director operating behind the glass are becoming rare, replaced by a one-size-fits-all philosophy: if the system can be automated, the producer can run it. But just because the technology can allow producers to control more of the technical process doesn't mean they should. We’re reaching a critical moment in broadcast news where we need to seriously re-evaluate the role of the producer. If the future of news is going to be faster, smarter, and more responsive, producers must be freed to focus on what they were hired to do: produce. Let’s be clear—producing is not just “stacking ...
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Welcome Amaya Ward: A Dynamic New Voice in Cleveland’s Newsroom

By Frank Macek Please join me in welcoming Amaya Ward to our newsroom team! A passionate, multi-skilled journalist, Amaya joins us from KFOR-TV in Oklahoma City, where she made her mark as a reporter dedicated to telling stories that matter. Her time there included coverage of vital community services like mobile medical clinics for homeless veterans, crime and public safety cases, youth nutrition efforts, and wildfire relief programs. With each story, Amaya worked to shine a light on people at the heart of the news—those who might otherwise go unheard. Amaya Ward (Courtesy: KFOR-TV) Amaya’s journalism journey began at the University of Oklahoma, where she graduated from the Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication. During her time there, she became a familiar face on OU Nightly as both an anchor and reporter. She also worked as a sports pad host and served briefly as a Washington D.C. correspondent, gaining valuable experience across a wide range of formats and topics. H...
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