Director's Cut Blog with Frank Macek

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...

By Frank Macek There’s no getting around it—Donald J. Trump remains one of the most polarizing figures in modern American political history. From the moment he entered the political arena, he has managed to dominate headlines, spark national debates, and shift the foundation of how campaigns and presidencies are covered. Now, in 2025, with Trump once again in the spotlight amid ongoing legal battles and another presidential campaign, the media is at a crossroads. The national press has been wrestling with how to responsibly cover Trump for nearly a decade. But this isn’t just a dilemma for CNN, Fox News, or The New York Times. Local newsrooms—TV, radio, and newspapers—must also grapple with the question: How do we cover Trump in a way that informs without inflaming, that protects democracy without compromising journalistic standards, and that fiercely defends the First Amendment in the process? This is a challenge that must be taken seriously, because how we cover Trump going forward h...

By Frank Macek As many of you know, the 56th Annual Great Lakes Emmy Awards were held Saturday night, June 20th, 2025, in Indianapolis — and I’m thrilled to share that WKYC had a great showing where it mattered most. Our team brought home multiple Emmy wins across several key categories, a testament to the passion, collaboration, and dedication poured into our storytelling each and every day. This recognition is more than a trophy — it’s a reflection of the hard work, heart, and humanity we put into every broadcast, feature, and community service project. Let’s take a moment to celebrate the outstanding work and the people behind it: 🏆 Morning Newscast – Markets 1-50 “3News GO: Severe Summer Storms” This fast-paced, real-time coverage of severe weather showcased the strength of our morning team. Congratulations to Executive Producer Jennifer Jordan , Producers Ryan Haidet , Anna Meyer , Alanna Dick , Anchors Danita Harris and Dave Chudowsky , Meteorologist Matt Wintz , Reporter ...

By Frank Macek For decades, every city had one. The trusted face. The commanding voice. The name you instinctively turned to in times of crisis or celebration. They were the TV news legends—local anchors whose presence in living rooms was as familiar as family. But in 2025, as media habits shift and generations change, we have to ask: Is the era of the TV news legend over? The short answer? Probably. Local TV anchors once held a unique position in American culture. They weren’t just broadcasters; they were institutions. Think of Walter Cronkite at the national level or names like Dick Goddard, Doug Adair, and Romona Robinson in Cleveland. These were journalists who stayed rooted in one city, building long-term trust with their communities over decades. When they retired, it wasn’t just a career milestone—it was a cultural event. Depiction of Walter Cronkite, Tom Brokaw & Peter Jennings Take WKYC in Cleveland, for example. Over the years, the station has been home to some of Northea...

By Frank Macek When viewers think of WKYC, they often picture the familiar faces of our anchors, the sharp forecasts from our weather team, or reporters live on the scene of breaking news. But behind every headline you read on WKYC.com, every push alert that lights up your phone, and every social media post keeping you in the know on Facebook, X, Instagram or Tik Tok there’s a team of digital content producers making it all happen. These are the journalists who work off-camera but are no less vital to the stories we tell. They’re editors, writers, curators, and producers—fueled by urgency, accuracy, and a love for keeping Northeast Ohio informed. In this post, I want to introduce you to the team of digital storytellers at WKYC Studios who bring the web to life—seven days a week, 365 days a year. Brandon Simmons Brandon Simmons – 3News Director of Digital Content At the helm of WKYC’s digital operation is Brandon Simmons, our 3News Director of Digital Content. Brandon leads the team tha...

By Frank Macek For as long as I’ve worked in television, the network affiliation was sacred. It meant credibility, a pipeline to prime-time hits, and a symbiotic relationship that helped both national networks and hometown stations thrive. But as I look around today—at streaming growth, audience behavior shifts, and changes inside our own walls—I can’t help but wonder: Do local stations still need their network affiliations? Or are we inching closer to a time when we can—and maybe should—stand on our own? This isn’t just a hypothetical question. It’s one I hear more and more in hallways, control rooms, and editorial meetings. And it’s a conversation worth having. The Affiliate Model: What We Owe It To be clear, I’m not here to downplay the impact of affiliations. I’ve seen firsthand how NBC's reach, programming, and brand recognition can elevate a station like WKYC. From the Super Bowl to special coverage of breaking national news, the network gives us built-in content we could ne...

By Frank Macek Edward M. “Ed” Miller, a familiar face to Northeast Ohio viewers during the late 1970s and early 1980s, passed away peacefully in Naples, Florida, at the age of 75. Known for his calm authority and journalistic tenacity, Miller left behind a legacy defined by fearless reporting, professional integrity, and a passion for public service through broadcast journalism. Miller rose to prominence at WKYC-TV, Cleveland’s NBC affiliate, during a transformative period for local news. In 1979, the station expanded its evening newscast to a full hour—a significant programming shift for the time. It was during this reshaping of WKYC’s news format that Miller stepped into a leading role, anchoring alongside Mona Scott during the crucial 6 p.m. hour. His steady on-air presence and thoughtful delivery quickly earned him the trust of viewers across Northeast Ohio. Colleagues recall Miller as a consummate professional in the newsroom—unflappable under pressure and deeply invested in tel...

By Frank Macek Chris Tye (Courtesy: WBBM-TV) If you watched Channel 3 News in Cleveland anytime during the 2000s and 2010s, you probably remember the polished delivery and sharp reporting of Chris Tye. For 15 years, Chris was a staple at WKYC, covering everything from big breaking stories to thoughtful investigations, always with a calm presence that viewers trusted. But like many journalists who put in their time in Cleveland, Chris eventually moved on. So—where is he now? Turns out, Chris didn’t just leave Northeast Ohio for the sake of it—he went home. After his long tenure at WKYC, Chris returned to his roots in Chicago, where he grew up in the suburb of Oak Park. In 2019, he joined CBS News Chicago (WBBM-TV) as a weekend evening anchor and political reporter, marking a full-circle moment in his career. For Chris, it wasn’t just about taking on a new job—it was about telling the stories of the city where he was raised and getting a chance to reconnect with family and friends after...

By Frank Macek We’ve all felt the shift. There was a time when local TV ruled the evening. You’d turn on the 6 p.m. news to catch the weather forecast, a live report from City Hall, or highlights from the high school football game. Now? Many viewers are watching everything—from drama series to breaking news—on-demand, on mobile, and on platforms that didn’t even exist ten years ago. Streaming has taken over the media world. But where does that leave local television? Can the trusted, boots-on-the-ground newsrooms that once connected entire communities survive in the age of Netflix, YouTube, and TikTok? More importantly, can they thrive? Let’s dig in. Because while streaming is here to stay, local TV may still have a few tricks up its sleeve. The Streaming Boom Changed Everything There’s no denying it: streaming has flipped the script. People don’t want to wait for a broadcast when they can get alerts, clips, and even live coverage on their phones. National outlets like NBC News Now or ...

By Frank Macek Cleveland’s rich tapestry of history and transformation has a new storyteller—and it’s someone who knows the city better than most. WKYC Studios has launched a new series titled "Then and Now with Leon Bibb," and it’s a powerful blend of journalism, personal narrative, and a heartfelt tribute to the places that shaped Northeast Ohio in conjunction with the Cleveland Public Library. As someone who’s worked alongside Leon, I can tell you this: no one delivers a story quite like him. With a voice that’s as familiar as it is trusted, Bibb brings both reverence and insight to every location he visits. His new series isn’t just a walk through old buildings or long-forgotten photos—it’s a rediscovery of Cleveland’s soul. A Journalist's Legacy Leon Bibb made history as Ohio’s first African American primetime news anchor. After decades delivering the day’s top stories to viewers across the region, Leon retired from the anchor desk in 2017—but journalism never left h...

By Frank Macek WKYC Studios is taking your morning routine to the next level. Starting Monday, June 9th, Northeast Ohio viewers will be able to catch another two full hours of GO! from 7 to 9 a.m.—exclusively on WKYC+, our free streaming channel. It’s a first-of-its-kind move for the station, designed to deliver more of the content you love, wherever and whenever you want to watch. The new streaming edition of GO! brings the same trusted team of local personalities—Danita Harris, Dave Chudowsky, Matt Wintz, Brissa Bradfield, Candice Hare, David Greenberg and Monica Robins—to a platform that fits into your schedule and your screen of choice, whether that’s a smart TV in the kitchen, your phone on the go, or a tablet by the bedside. It’s everything you already count on from Channel 3 News—just a little later and a lot more accessible. What’s New About This GO!? The 7–9 a.m. block of GO! is not a repeat or a simulcast of the TV broadcast—it’s a fully live and locally produced show, offeri...

By Frank Macek Tom Llamas (courtesy: NBC News) With his recent appointment as anchor and managing editor of *NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas*, Tom Llamas steps into a role steeped in prestige and responsibility. As the face of NBC's flagship evening broadcast and host of the primetime streaming newscast *Top Story with Tom Llamas* on NBC News NOW, Llamas is now one of the most visible and influential journalists in American media. Llamas brings a dynamic blend of on-the-ground experience, breaking news savvy, and digital fluency to the job. In addition to anchoring the nightly network broadcast, he plays a key role in leading breaking news coverage across both NBC News and NBC News NOW. His leadership during the 2024 election cycle, including his high-profile presence on Election Night and the September presidential debate, helped drive NBC News NOW to record viewership milestones. His command of the Big Board and ability to explain complex electoral trends in real time proved ins...