Director's Cut Blog with Frank Macek

By Frank Macek WKYC continues to build on a remarkable run of national recognition, and this year is no exception. Three members of the 3News team—Sia Nyorkor, Lindsay Buckingham, and special projects producer Jessica Miller—have earned one of the most respected honors in the industry: a Gracie Award, widely considered the premier accolade celebrating the achievements of women in media. The announcement was made Monday morning, placing WKYC once again among an elite group of storytellers recognized across television, streaming, radio, audio, and digital platforms. For a newsroom committed to impactful, community-focused journalism, the recognition reflects both the strength of the work and the people behind it. Lindsay Buckingham and Jessica Miller were honored for the station’s “Heartstrings” series, a signature example of storytelling that connects deeply with viewers by highlighting personal, emotional, and often inspiring journeys. The series has become a cornerstone of WKYC’s co...

Editor Note: A Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) was issued by a California Federal Judge keeping both companies separate until an April 7th hearing. No new information is available. ----------------------- By Frank Macek A major shift in local television is now official. Nexstar Media Group has completed its acquisition of Tegna Inc. , bringing Cleveland’s WKYC-TV under new ownership as part of the nation’s largest broadcast group. The $6.2 billion deal, approved by federal regulators on Thursday, dramatically expands Nexstar’s reach, now touching roughly 80% of U.S. television households. For WKYC, it marks the end of its Tegna era and the beginning of a new corporate structure alongside sister stations already owned by Nexstar in Cleveland including WJW-TV/8 and WBNX-TV/55. Supporters argue the move strengthens local stations by giving them greater negotiating power and resources in a rapidly evolving media landscape. Critics, however, warn that consolidation could reduce newsroo...

  By Frank Macek Update 3/20: WKYC and the Cleveland APL raised nearly $165,000 thanks to our generous viewers. You can still donate. See the QR code below. ------- Today’s the day—and here at WKYC, there’s a real sense of purpose inside the studios. Our “Fur-Get-Me-Not Telethon” benefiting the Cleveland Animal Protective League is officially underway, and from the early hours of this morning through tonight, we’re dedicating the day to helping animals across Northeast Ohio find care, comfort, and ultimately, a second chance. This isn’t just another broadcast. It’s one of those moments where local television truly connects with the community in a meaningful way. We began bringing you live updates starting at 5 a.m., and that coverage continues throughout the day, with stories, interviews, and behind-the-scenes moments that highlight the life-changing work of the Cleveland Animal Protective League. You’ll see firsthand the impact your support can make—whether it’s providing medic...

By Frank Macek WKYC's Russ Mitchell & Cle Mayor Justin Bibb There’s no denying the numbers. Local television viewership isn’t what it used to be. The days when families gathered around the 6 p.m. newscast as part of a nightly routine have largely faded, replaced by streaming platforms, social media feeds, and an endless scroll of national headlines competing for attention.  The audience has splintered, habits have shifted, and the metrics we once relied on to define success have changed dramatically. But if you look beyond the ratings charts and into the real impact of what local journalism does every day, a different story emerges—one that underscores just how essential it remains. At WKYC, that reality is visible in ways that can’t be measured solely by Nielsen or Comscore numbers. It’s in the phone calls from viewers who need help navigating a confusing situation. It’s in the tips that come in at all hours, often from people who don’t know where else to turn. It’s in the tru...

By Frank Macek Wil Steigerwald The WKYC newsroom continues to grow, and it’s always exciting to see new talent walk through the doors at 1333 Lakeside. This week brings another welcome addition to the team, as Wil Steigerwald joins 3News as a story desk editor. For those of us who have spent years working in local television, there’s something special about the moment a new journalist begins their first day in a newsroom. It’s the start of a new chapter not only for that person, but also for the team they’re joining. Wil arrives at WKYC after recently graduating from The Ohio State University, where he earned his degree in journalism and media production. Ohio State has long been a pipeline for talented journalists entering newsrooms across the country, and many broadcasters in Northeast Ohio got their start there. The combination of journalism training and hands-on media production experience gives young reporters and editors the kind of practical skills that translate well into the ...

By Frank Macek Hunter Bertram WKYC Studios is welcoming a new journalist to its newsroom. Hunter Bertram will officially join the 3News team on Monday, March 9, bringing reporting experience, government communications insight, and Midwestern roots to Cleveland. Bertram arrives in Northeast Ohio after working as a multimedia journalist at KXLY-TV in Spokane, Washington. At the station—known locally as “4 News Now”—he reported on a wide range of stories across eastern Washington and the Inland Northwest, covering local government, community issues, and public safety. At WKYC, viewers will see Bertram working the nightside reporting shift, contributing stories and live reports for various editions of 3News. Originally from Minneapolis, Bertram graduated from the University of Minnesota, where he completed a major in journalism along with studies in sociology of law, criminology, and justice. The combination of disciplines helped shape his interest in covering issues involving government, ...

By Frank Macek Fifty years ago today, viewers in Northeast Ohio were watching Russ Montgomery deliver the weather on WKYC-TV. To many, that’s the name they remember. In later years, he would be known professionally as Russ Minshew — but in the mid-1970s, “Montgomery” was a familiar presence at the Channel 3 anchor desk. Montgomery followed a classic broadcast path of his generation, building experience in smaller markets before arriving in Cleveland. Those early years demanded versatility. Reporters wrote their own scripts, edited film, and often handled multiple roles in the newsroom. By the time he reached WKYC, he was polished and precise — a broadcaster who understood timing down to the second in the era of spliced film and manual cueing. His delivery was calm and deliberate. In a decade marked by economic shifts and civic change in Cleveland, that steadiness mattered. Anchors were not celebrities; they were trusted narrators. Montgomery fit that mold perfectly. A snapshot of his w...

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...