Director's Cut Blog with Frank Macek

By Frank Macek It was a proud night for the 3News family. WKYC Studios walked away with multiple top honors Friday evening at the Press Club of Cleveland's annual All Ohio Excellence in Journalism awards ceremony, held at the iconic House of Blues in Cleveland. The event brings together journalists and media organizations from across Northeast Ohio to celebrate the region's best work — and 3News had plenty to celebrate. The biggest recognition of the night came for "3News at 11," which earned first place for Best Video Newscast in Ohio in the major market category and awarded to Reporter Sia Nyorkor, Producers Kelly Salandro & Joshua Bailey and Photojournalist Bailey Lustic.  Judges honored the May 2, 2025 broadcast for its storytelling, production quality, and overall excellence — a edition that included powerful in-depth reporting on the arrest connected to the 2013 murder of Cleveland Clinic nurse Aliza Sherman.  It was the kind of journalism that reminds vi...

By Frank Macek Chris Renkel has quickly become a familiar face to Cleveland sports fans since joining the 3News team in September 2024. For him, this is more than just a new job—it’s a homecoming. Born and raised in Westlake, Ohio, Chris grew up surrounded by the rich sports culture of Northeast Ohio. The Browns, Cavaliers, and Guardians were more than just teams on TV; they were part of the daily conversation, the shared experiences that knit communities together.  Chris Renkel That lifelong connection to local sports shapes everything about his approach on air. When he’s at the anchor desk or out in the field, Chris speaks not just as a journalist but as someone who knows what it’s like to sit in the stands, cheer from the couch, and feel the sting of a tough loss or the joy of a last-second win. His passion for sports has always been personal, and that authenticity is one of the first things viewers notice. Chris doesn’t just read the highlights; he brings them to life with th...

By Frank Macek Get ready, football fans! WKYC Studios is bringing you a special NFL Draft preview "Countdown to the Draft" this Thursday, April 24, from 7:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. exclusively on WKYC+, our free streaming channel available on Roku, Apple TV, and Amazon Fire TV. As the excitement builds for the 2025 NFL Draft, WKYC’s own Nick Camino and Chris Renkel will break down all the key storylines, potential picks, and local angles that matter most to Browns fans and draft followers across Northeast Ohio. Joining them on the show are two very special guests: Mary Kay Cabot, Browns beat writer for The Plain Dealer & cleveland.com, and Brian Polian, the Athletic Director at John Carroll University. Polian, a former head coach of the Nevada Wolf Pack and son of legendary NFL executive Bill Polian, brings unique insight into team-building and draft-day decisions. Whether you're tracking who the Browns might snag in the first round, hoping for a surprise trade, or just lo...