Award-Winning Investigative Producer Silas Tsang Joins WKYC’s 3News Team, Strengthening Station’s Commitment to Accountability Journalism
By Frank Macek
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| Silas Tsang |
While at WTOL, Tsang worked closely with lead investigator Brian Dugger to build the station’s 11 Investigates brand into a recognized source of hard-hitting reporting. His work has been praised by colleagues and management alike for its depth, accuracy, and impact. WTOL’s news director said “his dedication and drive have left a lasting mark” on their newsroom — a sentiment that reflects his relentless pursuit of truth and commitment to ethical journalism.
Among his many accomplishments, Tsang was the first to uncover a critical court document that kick-started the investigation into Cedar Point’s police department — a story that would grow into a statewide collaboration involving multiple Tegna stations, including WKYC. His reporting exposed more than two dozen sexual assault complaints within Cedar Point’s employee dorms over a five-year period, earning him and his team a National Edward R. Murrow Award — the first ever won by journalists in Northwest Ohio. The story also led to Cedar Point’s police department being stripped of its policing powers and sparked a successful lawsuit before the Ohio Supreme Court that affirmed the public’s right to access records from private entities with law enforcement authority. WTOL’s work on the story was recognized with the prestigious First Amendment Award from the Ohio Associated Press — the only time a television station has ever received that honor.
Tsang’s investigative range extends well beyond Cedar Point. He led a months-long investigation into the City of Toledo’s Fire Escrow Account, revealing that city officials withheld nearly $1 million in insurance funds owed to homeowners after fires. His “Blight” series exposed systemic failures in property enforcement and uncovered how the city had been issuing citations and misdemeanor charges against deceased property owners. By cross-referencing thousands of public records, Tsang and his team identified the extent to which outstanding property tax debt was tied to individuals who had long since passed away — a finding that sparked policy reviews and local reform.
In 2024, Tsang produced a critical investigation into Ohio’s controversial turnpike tolling system, highlighting billing errors and customer complaints that prompted a public apology from the agency’s executive director and a six-month grace period for affected drivers. At the start of this year, he co-produced a five-part crime series on the murder of two Toledo teenagers, a case involving more than ten suspects. The series aired across five consecutive days and was also released in its entirety on WTOL+, accompanied by an interactive timeline that organized evidence, interrogation videos, and court records in a way that helped viewers grasp the case’s complexity.
Most recently, Tsang produced an in-depth series on the Ohio Elections Commission, an effort that marked his second statewide collaboration with colleagues at WTOL, WBNS, and WKYC. That partnership foreshadowed the kind of multi-market journalism he hopes to expand in his new role as Investigative Producer for 3News.
At WKYC, Tsang will not only contribute to the station’s signature investigative projects but also play a central role in its daily story mix, bringing his investigative skills to bear on breaking news and enterprise stories that require fast research, fact verification, and source development. He has expressed a commitment to launch one major investigative story each quarter in partnership with Tegna’s Ohio stations — WTOL, WBNS, and WKYC — an ambitious goal aimed at combining newsroom resources and expertise for projects with statewide impact.
Tsang’s arrival signals a renewed focus on in-depth journalism at 3News, continuing the station’s long-standing tradition of pursuing stories that inform and empower viewers. His experience in data analysis, records research, and narrative storytelling will enhance WKYC’s ability to tackle complex subjects and deliver them in a way that is both accessible and impactful. Colleagues who have worked with him describe him as meticulous, driven, and collaborative — a producer who builds trust and inspires excellence in those around him.
Silas Tsang’s body of work reflects a deep understanding of how investigative reporting can make a difference in people’s lives — whether by exposing systemic failures, returning money to citizens, or holding public officials accountable. His move to Cleveland brings that same passion for public-service journalism to a larger stage, where he will collaborate with reporters, producers, and editors to tell stories that matter most to Northeast Ohio. His hire underscores 3News’s commitment to expanding its investigative footprint and continuing to serve as a trusted source of truth for its viewers.
Silas Tsang officially joins the 3News team today (Monday, October 27), bringing with him a proven track record of fearless journalism and a reputation for turning complicated stories into meaningful change. With his arrival, WKYC further strengthens its investigative unit — and its promise to deliver reporting that goes beyond headlines to serve the public interest.