Director's Cut Blog with Frank Macek: Meet the Morning GO! Team: WKYC’s Latest Lineup

Thursday, April 24, 2025

Meet the Morning GO! Team: WKYC’s Latest Lineup

By Frank Macek

Cleveland’s mornings just got even brighter with the dynamic team on WKYC’s “Morning GO!” show. Airing weekdays from 4:30 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. on Channel 3, “GO!” is billed as a “high-energy way to start the day the right way,” delivering the latest Northeast Ohio news plus up-to-the-minute weather and traffic updates. The show blends essential information with a fun, conversational style – think breaking news and traffic reports alongside lighthearted moments that put a smile on your face. (Yes, coffee isn’t the only thing perking up early risers – you might even catch the team swapping a few corny dad jokes in the 5 a.m. hour!) With some familiar faces and some fresh additions, the 3News GO! morning crew brings a special mix of professionalism, personality, and community spirit. Let’s meet the latest lineup powering your morning.

Dave Chudowsky

If you’re a Northeast Ohio morning person, you already know Dave Chudowsky’s friendly face. Dave is a 3News morning co-anchor on “GO!” and a proud Cleveland native who has been part of WKYC for 16 years. He’s essentially grown up on the air at Channel 3 – a lifelong Clevelander, husband and father of two who “bleeds” Cleveland pride and loves connecting with his hometown audience. Recently, viewers rallied around Dave during a challenging time: he stepped away briefly after sharing a personal health battle (a prostate cancer diagnosis) in early 2025. Dave’s resilience and optimism through that journey inspired many, and when he returned to the “GO!” anchor desk this April, it was a special moment for the whole WKYC community.

On air, Dave strikes a balance between serious journalist and morning cheerleader. He delivers the day’s biggest headlines with calm authority, but he’s also the first to crack a joke with his co-anchors to keep the early hours upbeat. (In fact, Dave and meteorologist Matt Wintz have become locally famous for their ongoing “Dad Jokes” segment that adds a dose of goofy humor to the 5 a.m. news.) Off camera, Dave is deeply involved in the community he loves – you might spot him emceeing charity events, supporting local sports teams, or just being a down-to-earth Clevelander. With his warm personality and rock-solid news chops, Dave helps make “Morning GO!” the perfect kickstart to Cleveland’s day.

Danita Harris

Joining Dave at the anchor desk is Danita Harris, whose name is synonymous with Cleveland morning TV. Danita arrived at WKYC’s 3News in April 2024 specifically to co-anchor “GO!”, after over two decades as one of the city’s most respected newswomen at another local station. Now on Channel 3, Danita brings a wealth of experience and a big heart to the morning show. She’s known for her compassionate storytelling and an infectious positive energy that can help anyone overcome the Monday blues.

What really sets Danita apart is her passion for people. She’s not just reading the news – she’s living her mission to uplift the community. Back in 2016, Danita helped found a nonprofit initiative called S.H.I.N.E. (“It’s Your Time to SHINE”) with the goal of helping those who feel forgotten or hurting find their inner light. What started as a women’s empowerment group grew into a mentoring program for young girls, and even a “SHINE Brothers” program for boys launched in 2022. Through S.H.I.N.E., Danita has mentored countless Northeast Ohio youth and teamed up with local leaders to inspire the next generation. It’s no surprise that she’s often called Reverend Danita Harris – she’s an ordained minister and a firm believer in giving back. Whether she’s anchoring breaking news or organizing charity drives, Danita’s genuine care for the community shines through. Each morning on “GO!”, she greets viewers with a warm smile and a spirit of service, making everyone feel like family.

Meteorologist Matt Wintz

No morning news team is complete without a weather expert, and Matt Wintz delivers the forecast with equal parts professionalism and personality. As 3News’ Senior Meteorologist, Matt has become a familiar and trusted face in Northeast Ohio’s weather scene. He’s the guy who will calmly guide you through a blizzard or thunderstorm without breaking a sweat – known for his accurate forecasts and steady demeanor even during the wildest Lake Erie weather. But when the skies are calm, Matt’s sunny spirit truly takes center stage. He presents the weather with a signature warmth and charm, often lighting up the screen with a smile as bright as a summer day.

Matt’s cheerful outlook isn’t just an act – it likely comes from his busy life off the green screen. He and his wife have four young children and a fifth on the way, so Matt is a pro at staying upbeat amid chaos! Fans have loved following Matt’s growing family; he often shares relatable dad-life moments, and his colleagues recently showered him with congratulations for baby #5. All those kiddos also give Matt plenty of material for the aforementioned dad jokes that he and Dave slip into the broadcast. Beyond the humor, Matt is also active in the community – from visiting local schools to explain the science of weather to volunteering at charity events. Every weekday morning, he makes sure viewers are prepared for the day’s weather and leaves them with a little extra optimism. With Matt Wintz watching the skies, “Morning GO!” viewers know they’re in great hands come rain or shine (or snow!).

Brissa Bradfield

The newest face on the “Morning GO!” team is Brissa Bradfield, who has the special honor of saying “Good Morning, Cleveland!” first each day. Brissa joined 3News this week and will become the 4:30 a.m. early-morning anchor and traffic reporter – as early as next week and for her, it’s a homecoming. A Toledo, Ohio native and proud University of Akron graduate, Brissa’s journalism journey took her across the country, but now she’s back where it all began. She comes to WKYC from the sunny shores of Sarasota, Florida, where she anchored the morning news at ABC7. Before that, she was waking up Erie, Pennsylvania as a morning anchor/reporter there. All that experience on the sunrise shift means Brissa knows how to help viewers start the day informed and energized.

At Channel 3, Brissa’s role is to kick off the “GO!” show bright and early – she will welcome the 4:30 a.m. crowd and then keeps everyone updated on traffic through the 5 and 6 a.m. hours. (After all, Northeast Ohio commuters need a reliable navigator, and Brissa will have them covered from detours to drive times.) Her colleagues say Brissa’s enthusiasm and you’ve got this! attitude make her a perfect fit for the GO! team. You will feel her upbeat energy through the screen – whether she’s guiding you through a rainy morning commute or chatting with Matt about the day’s forecast. Beyond the newsroom, Brissa is thrilled to be back in Cleveland for one big reason: football! She’s a die-hard Cleveland Browns fan and can’t wait to cheer on her favorite team at Browns Stadium again. (She jokes that after years away, she finally gets to swap Florida beaches for those Dawg Pound bleachers.) When you watch Brissa, you’re not just seeing a polished anchor – you’re seeing a fellow Ohioan who’s genuinely excited to help her neighbors start their day.

Candice Hare

When it comes to diverse talents, Candice Hare brings something unique to the “GO!” morning crew. Candice recently joined WKYC as a morning show reporter, working closely with the GO! team to deliver fresh stories every day. Her path to Cleveland has been anything but ordinary. Before breaking into news, Candice was actually an international horse racing analyst for the TVG network – yes, she once covered major horse races around the globe! That broadcasting background honed her on-camera skills and gave her a world of experience (and some incredible stories to tell). Eventually Candice traded the racetrack for the newsroom, moving into local television reporting. She’s worked in Twin Falls, Idaho (KMVT) and later in Cincinnati, Ohio (FOX19) chasing news stories, before landing here in Cleveland. With that résumé, Candice can truly cover anything – from interviewing a hometown hero to breaking down the odds of the Kentucky Derby.

On “Morning GO!”, Candice is often the one out in the field or up for an interactive segment to add flavor to the morning mix. One day she might be live at a new restaurant tasting breakfast specials; another day she’s reporting on a community initiative making a difference. No matter the assignment, Candice brings a curiosity and enthusiasm that viewers appreciate. She’s also quickly fallen in love with Northeast Ohio’s blend of city life and tight-knit community. (Coming from a background that spans coast to coast, Candice says Cleveland offers the perfect happy medium.) Off camera, she’s an animal lover and sports enthusiast – traits that make her a great fit in a town that loves the Browns and the Cavaliers. As the rookie on the team, Candice adds a fresh perspective and an adventurous spirit. She’s excited to tell the stories of Clevelanders each morning and maybe learn a few new Cleveland slang words along the way. Keep an eye on Candice – her unique journey is proof that the morning news isn’t her first rodeo (or horse race)!

David Greenberg

Rounding out the “Morning GO!” lineup is David Greenberg, who has quickly become the show’s go-to reporter and fill-in anchor for all things fun and informative. David came aboard 3News fairly recently and dove headfirst into Cleveland life. An Illinois native and self-proclaimed “long-suffering” Chicago sports fan, he’s bringing some Midwestern camaraderie (and maybe a little friendly Chicago-Cleveland rivalry banter) to the WKYC family. David’s on-camera style is upbeat, witty, and unafraid to laugh at himself, which makes those predawn newscasts feel a lot more approachable. Case in point: shortly after arriving, David had a memorable on-air blooper – he cheerfully welcomed viewers to “downtown Rockford” instead of downtown Cleveland, accidentally naming the city from his previous job! Old habits die hard! Rather than get flustered, David rolled with the moment and had everyone cracking up, instantly endearing himself to local audiences.

When he’s not delivering the news, David is often out engaging with the community – he loves turning the camera on everyday Clevelanders. You might catch one of his man-on-the-street segments during “GO!”, where he chats with folks about everything from current events to Cleveland sports. This interactive approach shows how much David enjoys people – he’s genuinely interested in what you think and making viewers part of the story. He also brings a bit of a sports reporter flair to the morning team, often sprinkling in sports references and analogies (no surprise for a guy who lives and dies with his favorite Chicago teams). Off the set, David is busy exploring his new city – trying local restaurants, visiting sports venues, and immersing himself in Cleveland culture. His fresh perspective and playful personality round out the “Morning GO!” crew, ensuring there’s never a dull moment. With David on board, viewers not only get the facts they need but also a sense that they’re waking up with a good friend.

Together, this team feels like a morning family. Each weekday from the crack of dawn, Dave Chudowsky and Danita Harris guide you through the news with warmth and integrity, Matt Wintz keeps you prepared for whatever the Cleveland skies might bring, and Brissa Bradfield helps you navigate the roads and kick off the broadcast. Meanwhile, Candice Hare and David Greenberg are out and about (or in studio) adding fresh stories and a fun spark to the mix. They share laughs, local pride, and plenty of coffee as they help Northeast Ohio “GO!” into the day ahead. Tune in and you’ll see that the new Morning GO! lineup isn’t just delivering the headlines – they’re sharing a little bit of themselves with Cleveland every single morning, making the AM a little more awesome for all of us.