Director's Cut Blog with Frank Macek

The 46th annual Lower Great Lakes Emmy Award Nominations was announced on Thursday, April 30. Channel 3 News was nominated in several important categories including best overall newscasts for Channel 3 News at 6 & 11, Weekend Mornings and Weekend Evenings. Congratulations to our nominees. This year's awards will be given out on June 27, 2015 at the Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. Newscast - Evening - Market 1-20: Channel 3 News at 11 pm - Best Overall Newscast (Julie Flynn, Grant deBruin, Russ Mitchell, Kris Pickel, Chris Tye, Brian Crane, Dave Chudowsky) Newscast - Evening - Market 1-20: Channel 3 New at 6 pm - Best Overall Newscast (Jonathan Adkins, Russ Mitchell, Kris Pickel, Meg Hambach, Julie Ocepek, Sara Shookman, Tom Beres) Newscast- Morning/Daytime - March 1-20:  TJ Lane Escape and Capture (Mark Bogden, Heather Brumbaugh, Ryan Haidet, Jennifer Jordan, Maureen Kyle, Lynna Lai, Kayla Landolph, Brooke Whitney, Will Ujek) Weekend Newscast - Mar...

A sister, a cousin, a child. A neighbor, a co-worker, a friend. Domestic Violence IS personal - whether you are a victim, or you know one. And the problem is EVERYONE'S problem - whether it's in your house, or in your community. SPECIAL SECTION : United Against Domestic Violence This week - Channel 3 is taking a stand. We are United Against Domestic Violence - and committed to making a difference. Each day in the United States - 3 women are killed in domestic violence disputes. Their stories make headlines, and bring calls for help. In the shadows - are the living victims. Whose days and nights are consumed with fear - that they'll be next: "One of the things I remember is I was laying on the floor, and he was standing over me choking me and I was passing out. He broke into the home three times, and the detectives wouldn't do anything," said a domestic violence victim who we are not identifying. Too many victims of domestic violence say the sys...

McLEAN, VA – Gannett Co., Inc. (NYSE: GCI) said today that it has chosen TEGNA as the name for the new Broadcasting and Digital company. Gannett is in the process of creating two publicly traded companies: one exclusively focused on its Broadcasting and Digital businesses, and the other on its Publishing business and affiliated digital assets. TEGNA will trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol TGNA. “We are pleased to announce the name of our new Broadcasting and Digital company, which combines one of the largest, most geographically diverse broadcasters in the U.S. with incredibly strong marketing solutions organizations,” said Gracia Martore, Gannett president and CEO. “TEGNA is a nod to the more than 100 year-old history of Gannett. While always reminding us where we came from, the new name also shows our innovative spirit and commitment to being a forward-looking company that empowers people, businesses and communities to grow and thrive.” TEGNA’s trusted por...

Cory Thompson and Lisa Colagrossi at WKYC in 1994 UPDATE: Lisa Colagrossi passed away Friday evening. More:  http://nyp.st/1BYknA ------------------------------- Sad news to report on this Friday for those of us who fondly remember working with former Channel 3 Reporter/Anchor Lisa Colagrossi. She suffered a brain aneurysm and massive heart attack Thursday morning after covering a fire in Queens, New York, while reporting for WABC-TV where she has worked since 2001. The New York Daily News is reporting doctors say Colagrossi is unlikely to recover from her illness and is currently on life support at New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center’s neurological ICU. At WKYC, Lisa was teamed up with Jim Hooley when the weekend morning news launched and was an anchor with Cory Thompson on the weekend evening shift as well. Colagrossi, 49, was born and raised in Strongsville and besides working at WKYC and WABC, she worked at WKMG-TV/Orlando. Our thoughts are with...

Channel 3 crews have rescued a dog that has been stuck on the ice north of Bay Village, Ohio, on Lake Erie for more than a day. Coast Guard crews had said it was too difficult for an air mission, but WKYC partnered up with local company Air1Airboats to take a trip out onto the ice with Channel 3 reporter Mike O'Mara and cameraman George Payamgis to look for the dog The Coast Guard and Bay Village Fire and Rescue attempted to rescue the dog Thursday but it ran from them. Concerned residents say they'd been watching the dog, likely a young black Lab for days. Local animal lovers, including Friendship Animal Protective League Executive Director Greg Willey and Lorain police officer Rick Broz were on hand to assist. Click on the video below to watch the rescue:

Join Channel 3 News and the Cleveland Animal Protective League for WKYC's Fur-Get-Me-Not-Telethon to raise money for the animals at the Cleveland APL. On Friday, March 20th, from 5 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., the Cleveland Animal Protective League will be live on Channel 3 air every half-hour with stories that showcase the diverse and meaningful work the Cleveland APL does to rescue, heal, nurture, adopt and advocate for the animals in need in our community. In honor of this special and exciting event, the Cleveland APL is extending adoption hours and reducing our adoption fees. On Friday, March 20th, 2015, the APL will be open from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m., and select adult cats (1 year and over) will be available for adoption for only $3. (Regular adoption fees are $45 for cats.) "We're thrilled and honored that WKYC Channel 3 has chosen to spotlight the work we do for animals," says Sharon Harvey, President & CEO of the Cleveland APL. "Every year, we help thousands of...

WKYC and Third Federal are kicking off a new community initiative, the #WeReadHere campaign, to encourage parents to spend 20 minutes a day reading with their children. Take a look at a few images that have been shared with WKYC! ( READ MORE ) UPLOAD:  Share your selfie here MOBILE USERS:  Share pics here The initiative, which launched on World Read Aloud Day, March 4, urges parents to post "reading selfies" on social media using the #WeReadHere hashtag. More than a one-day event, the campaign will continue through the spring and summer and will provide rewards to randomly selected families who post pictures showing that they have made reading a habit. Twice a week, a sampling of "reading selfies" posted by viewers will be shown on the air during WKYC news programs. Beyond the selfies, the campaign also spotlights other ways to support literacy efforts in Northeast Ohio. These include: Greater Cleveland Volunteers is collecting new and gently used bo...

Dana Nagel Former Channel 3 Local Sales Manager Returns “I’m pleased to announce that Dana Nagel will be returning to Channel 3 as Director of Sales,” announced WKYC President and GM Micki Byrnes. “Dana was WKYC’s Local Sales Manager from 1994 to 2010 when she left to work as the Director of Media and Digital Sales for the Cleveland Browns.” “I am incredibly excited to be returning to WKYC in this new role,” stated Dana. “With two seasons at the Browns and two years as the Senior Regional Marketing Director for Tier 10 Marketing handling the American Honda account, Dana brings a unique global view of the Cleveland DMA to all aspects of buying and selling,” remarked Byrnes. Ms. Nagel will be leading the management team of Local Sales Managers Cory Jackson and Michael Albrecht, National Sales Manager Rita Cavanaugh, Digital Sales Manager Justin Gutschmidt, Director of Research and Strategy Dan Baylog and New Business Development Manager Kim DeCredico. “I’m confident that Dana’s te...

Channel 3 is teaming up with Kent State students and volunteers who are paying it forward Friday afternoon, joining their local firefighters to help shovel out fire hydrants covered in snow. About a dozen people joined the shovel challenge, traveling to different neighborhoods and looking for fire hydrants buried under several feet of snow. In cases of emergency, firefighters may find them frozen and unusable, which can delay their response times. Like the Ice Bucket Challenge, we are inviting you to the #ShovelChallenge and post your videos on your social media sites to challenge your friends to do their part and help firefighters clean away the hydrants before the next major snowstorm in northeast Ohio. #ShovelChallenge Tweets

WKYC Chief Meteorologist Betsy Kling Once again the Cleveland Indians and WKYC are teaming up for Weather Education Day at Progressive Field on Wednesday, May 27, 2015. Thousands of students, teachers and parents will participate in a pre-game weather education program, presented by WKYC's Weather Team, before the start of the game. Each student will be given a Weather Education Day workbook that is packed full of useful weather information and activities. The Weather Day program begins at 10:00 AM. All Weather Day participants will then take in the game between the Cleveland Indians and Texas Rangers that begins at 12:05 PM. Weather Education Day at Progressive Field has become one of Northern Ohio's premier field trips for school groups. The on-field program is created and produced by WKYC-Channel 3 Chief Meteorologist Betsy Kling. Kling, along with meteorologists Greg Dee, Hollie Giangreco, Marcus Walter and Bruce Kalinowski will do demonstrations and give expl...

Andew Horansky. Photo courtesy KHOU-TV The Channel 3 News team is growing again as Multimedia Journalist/Reporter Andrew Horansky joins WKYC-TV this April, announced News Director Brennan Donnellan. Horansky returns to his hometown from our Gannett sister station, KHOU-TV/Houston, where he has worked for the past three years in the same capacity. Prior to that, he was at KVUE-TV/Austin and worked as a Chicago-based correspondent at the country's first high definition news network, HD News according to his biography on the KHOU-TV website. From the devastating tsunami in Sri Lanka to a massive earthquake in Pakistan, he traveled the globe covering some of the biggest stories of the decade. He reported from the war in Iraq, traveled to New Orleans for Hurricane Katrina, to Britain for the subway bombings, and to Haiti for deadly mudslides. Andrew grew up in Westlake. "I’m THRILLED to be coming home," Horansky tells us. "My wife will be practicing pediatric...

Greg Dee, courtesy KARK-TV WKYC welcomes popular meteorologist and severe weather expert Greg Dee to the Channel 3 Weather team beginning this Febuary, announced WKYC News Director Brennan Donnellan this week. "Greg is a severe weather expert who has received local and national recognition for his work tracking and reporting on tornadoes," explained Donnellan. Dee will join the station from KARK-TV in Little Rock, Arkansas, where is currently the morning meteorologist and will become an important part of the WKYC Weather team of Chief Meteorologist Betsy Kling, Hollie Giangreco, Marcus Walter and Bruce Kalinowski to bring viewers even better severe weather coverage in 2015. According to his bio on the KARK-TV website, Greg Dee joined the KARK 4 Weather Authority team in May 2008 as weekend meteorologist. Greg is a true weather junkie, always checking the latest radar when there storms around or looking around the country for our next big weather maker. Though ...

A brand new crime and investigation entertainment network is coming to Northeast Ohio and that means bad news for area criminals. Starting Tuesday, January 20 the Justice Network, a free over-the-air multicast network, will air live on WKYC’s 3.2 digital channel. The first-of-its-kind network -- hosted by Emmy award-winning broadcaster John Walsh -- will feature gripping stories of true crime and aims to make communities safer by empowering viewers to take action. Working in partnership with Crime Stoppers USA, The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and other law enforcement agencies, the Justice Network will dedicate 90 seconds to public service every hour, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. This includes thirty seconds to the most wanted fugitives, thirty seconds to help locate missing children, and thirty seconds to providing viewers with invaluable safety tips. Additionally, Justice Network will have a range of entertaining programming and gripping stories...

CLEVELAND -- WKYC is inviting the public to drop off donations at the station for the Homeless Stand Down. What are these boxes for? Once again, we are teaming up with Hands On Northeast Ohio to spread the word about the annual Stand Down, which last year provided much-needed support to 1,100 local homeless persons, including 250 veterans. You can drop them off at the collection boxes in the lobby at 1333 Lakeside Avenue on or before Monday, Jan. 19. Event organizers have scaled back their wish list of donated items and are asking ONLY for the following, seven items that are most needed by homeless persons: New or gently used boots (sizes 10 and up) Adult winter coats (extra-large and up preferred) New underwear for men and women (larger sizes preferred) New and packaged socks Winter hats Waterproof gloves for adults Diapers and wipes These items will be given away starting on Jan. 24 at the Homeless Stand Down at the City of Cleveland Public Auditorium. Monetary donations a...

Micki Byrnes “I am pleased to announce that Micki Byrnes has been named President and General Manager of WKYC-Cleveland,” announced Dave Lougee, president of Broadcasting for Gannett Co. Inc. “Micki is the perfect leader for our Cleveland operation. She is a natural leader who knows all facets of our business, and she has a passion for everyone at the station, and for that matter, everyone in Northeast Ohio.” Brooke Spectorsky will continue in his role as a Senior Vice President for Gannett Broadcasting managing all syndicated programming efforts for the combined Gannett/Belo television group. Spectorsky also oversees three additional Gannett television station markets. Byrnes joined Gannett Broadcasting in October of 1997 as Director of Marketing and Promotion for WKYC, NBC in Cleveland, Ohio. She was named Vice President, Advertising and Promotion in 2000, responsible for the branding, graphics, media creation and placement, community engagement and sales promotion efforts of C...

Special to the Director's Cut Blog By Jeff Reidel CLEVELAND - Now is the season of giving and family. But some are struggling to enjoy a holidays. One woman is working to meet that need head on, after facing her own hardship. Now, area children will experience a brighter holiday. WKYC employees are helping spread holiday joy. The station is working with the Adopt a Family Association, a non-profit that matches companies that want to reach out to local families facing tough times. "Either they are working a low income job, they are disabled or recently laid off and there fore they can not provide for their family due to the expense" said Madeline Medley, Executive Director of the Adopt a Family Association. Back when she worked at a local bank, Medley took it upon herself to to get fellow employees to adopt needy families during the holidays. But when she lost her job, she made giving back her full-time job. "My focus was to help the children. It wa...

By Frank Macek It's time for another "behind the scenes" look at what's happening inside the WKYC Digital Broadcast Center. WKYC's new Sony ELC Production System Tomorrow night, December 16th, Channel 3 will launch our brand new Sony ELC Live Assist Production System that will be a new way we bring you Channel 3 News. The system is an all computerized one and will run most aspects of our newscasts. For the first time ever, the control room will no longer have a technical director or audio engineer. The Director will be the solo operator who programs the system to control video, graphics and audio mixing. This is one of the biggest changes technically since Channel 3 signed on October 31, 1948. In other news, WKYC has plenty of new faces floating around the building that we'd like to recognize. *Justin Gutschmidt, who is a Cleveland native, comes to us from Living Social as Channel 3's new Digital Sales Director. *Alyssa Raymond joins the C...

By Frank Macek It's time for another "behind the scenes" look at what's happening inside the WKYC Digital Broadcast Center. This November has been quite a busy time for all of us at WKYC. In addition to November sweeps, we are right in the middle of our installation of a new production system that will allow us to bring you Channel 3 more efficiently. The system, called Sony ELC (Enhanced Live Production Control System), will go online before Christmas. Photo Courtesy: David Hrvatin Last Tuesday was an exciting day at WKYC as the station hosted a company wide video presentation looking forward to our goals and aspirations for 2015. Gannett Broadcasting President Dave Lougee hosted the discussion that was fed via satellite to our 46 Gannett stations. In a previous posting , we mentioned WKYC will begin airing a brand new television channel called Justice Network starting in January on subchannel 3.2 replacing our current weather programming. The Justice ...

WKYC announced on Tuesday the station will begin carrying a new digital subchannel on WKYC 3.2 called the "Justice Network" beginning in January. The new network will launch as a partnership between WKYC's parent company, Gannett Broadcasting, and other television executives. The new network will immediately reach a third of the nation's television audience at launch with the power of Gannett's 46 television stations. Justice Network will replace our existing weather radar on 3.2 and some children's programming right after the first of the year. WKYC Station Manager Micki Byrnes, says the station is working hard on other options to bring viewers the weather information they depend on that keep you "Weather Ready" at all times. Here is more information from today's announcement... Veteran television executives are joining forces to launch Justice Network, a free over-the-air multicast network with carriage on MSO’s, featuring gripping st...

WKYC Station Manager Micki Byrnes painting More than 1200 volunteers participated in 'Make A Difference Day' in Northeast Ohio on Saturday, October 25, 2014. This day of service began more than twenty years ago by WKYC's parent company, Gannett. Channel 3 News employees rolled up their sleeves to paint rooms at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Cleveland's Broadway and Heights Youth Club locations. "When you think about the kids that we work with 90 percent of our kids are at or near poverty, 74 percent come from single parent families they're probably not living in the best of locations," says Boys and Girls Clubs of Cleveland President, Ron Soeder. "We want to make sure they have a fresh place, a place that's vibrant and colorful and brings them to life so that when they come in they have a different experience than they may have day to day or it's added to the experience that they have." In Akron, nearly 150 people joined in the...

(Photo: LJFF) WKYC is proud to partner with the LeBron James Family Foundation to help positively affect the lives of children and young adults through education. Over the next few years, we'll bring you special stories, news coverage, events and projects that showcase the impactful work the Foundation is doing in Akron. And we'll explore how everyone in Northeast Ohio can be involved. Our special coverage kicks off next Monday, October 27th at 6 p.m., and continues to opening night of the Cleveland Cavaliers season. Please join us for a very special Akron Watch Party in support of the LeBron James Family Foundation on Thursday, October 30th at Ray's Place of Fairlawn, 25 Ghent Road. Great prizes, great food and what's sure to be a GREAT GAME!! All are welcome and there is a unique auction featuring one of a kind items for bid. And join WKYC for extended news coverage Thursday 7 p.m. - 8 p.m. live from Cleveland and Akron. For more information on the LeBron James F...

WKYC has released an update to our mobile news app. The new app is much different than our old version. You'll get the same great news and weather coverage from all over northeast Ohio… but much more of it! The app is available now for iPhone or Android users. We have also updated our mobile website as well. Our digital team has compiled a list of 8 reasons why you need to get the new app right now. It's free. So why not?  Enhanced scrolling navigation. It's easier than ever to stay informed… and you'll have the ability to see more of the important headlines from across the region. More local news than ever before! Find news headlines from your community. We've introduced more local news section for the city our county you live in. Real time traffic map featuring crash reports, delays, and construction alerts. And Tweets from Danielle Wiggins! Live streaming. Watch live streaming coverage when breaking news happens. You can ALSO watch WKYC news dur...

It's an event where WKYC and Gannett-owned media properties across the country team up to make our communities better. Hundreds of employees and volunteers work together to make a difference. Learn more in the highlights below. You can also find out how you can join in to MAKE A DIFFERENCE! This year, Make A Difference Day takes place on Oct. 25th. Always held on the fourth Saturday of October, it is the nation's largest day of volunteering. USA WEEKEND Magazine conceived the idea more than 20 years ago and has mobilized millions of people across the U.S. for this National Day of Doing Good. Pitching in to spread the word are the 46 TV stations and hundreds of newspapers owned by Gannett, plus longstanding partners Points of Light and Newman's Own. As the Gannett-owned media property in the Cleveland market, WKYC takes the lead here in organizing local activities. We partner with BVU, The Center for Nonprofit Excellence to offer a variety of activities on Make a Diff...

Check out a time lapse from behind the scenes of our 6 pm newscast that I directed tonight. A lot happens in just 30 minutes! Thanks to David Hrvatin for putting this ditty together and Floor Director Jessica Dickard for recording it. Post by WKYC Channel 3 - Cleveland .

Ricky Manning (Courtesy: NBC) A contestant with Northeast Ohio ties has survived the blind auditions on "The Voice" and will be competing on team Pharrell. Ricky Manning, 19, said he took a year after high school to concentrate on music and has been performing on the streets of New York City. He told judges he is currently living with his father in New Jersey and before that had lived in Cape Coral, Fla., with his mother. Manning told WKYC he was born at an Akron hospital and was raised in Medina. Even thought his family moved to Florida when he was in the third grade, Manning said he still has strong family ties to Northeast Ohio. Both of his grandmothers still live in Medina. Click to see our 11 p.m. live interview:

The WKYC Health and Wellness Expo is back at the Cleveland Convention Center on Saturday, September 6th – bigger and better than ever. Thousands of Northeast Ohio residents will get the opportunity to get free health screenings and learn important information about living a healthier lifestyle from over 120 exhibitors at the 40,000 square foot exhibit. Visitors will enjoy presentations on three stages that will include health and wellness information, the latest trends in healthy cooking and exercise, tips for keeping your family safe and ways to help keep your family, your finances and your body all in working order. WKYC personalities, including Russ Mitchell, Kris Pickel, Betsy Kling and many others will be on hand to greet Expo guests who will also be given the chance to try their hand at being a weather anchor or a sportscaster. This was a highlight at last year’s Expo as folks uploaded their “TV debut” to the WKYC Facebook page for all to see A number of area non-profi...

Channel 3's Hollie Giangreco was live at the "Today" show set in New York City Wednesday morning to help the show wish a happy 60th birthday to weatherman Al Roker. Roker, who worked for WKYC for five years in the late '70s and early '80s, sent his well wishes back to Cleveland, remarking that he misses the West Side Market. Giangreco gave Roker a birthday present -- a Cleveland five-day forecast T-shirt mocking the city's vastly different weather from day to day. Roker joked that he wasn't looking forward to the birthday but conceded "any anniversary you can spend about ground is a good thing.""And to have all these people come down … that's very, very nice," he said, joking with fans gathered on the plaza that he was old enough to be their grandfather. Upon learning that anchors Russ Mitchell and Kris Pickel are in town as well, he couldn't help but crack a joke. "You've got to relish a name like that,...

Margaret Bernstein Margaret Bernstein Joins WKYC As Director of Advocacy and Community Initiatives “She’s an award-winning journalist, a high school mentor, a national Big Sister of the Year, and a passionate crusader for the people and communities of Northeast Ohio,” said VP and Station Manager Micki Byrnes. “Starting in September, she will also be the new Director of Advocacy and Community Initiatives for Channel 3 and we couldn’t be more excited to welcome her.” “This is simply the perfect opportunity for me. I deeply respect WKYC’s trailblazing work in community advocacy and want to help the station continue moving our community forward,” Margaret said. ”I firmly believe that people want more than just the news headlines – they want to know what they can do to make a positive difference. It’s up to us in the news media to shed light on the best ways for the public to get involved.” For over 20 years, Margaret wrote for Ohio’s largest daily newspaper and as a Metro columnist sh...

By Frank Macek It's time for another "behind the scenes" look at what's happening inside the WKYC Digital Broadcast Center. Channel 3 with air the 2nd Browns preseason game against the Washington Redskins this Monday night, August 18th. Our Pregame Huddle will air from 7-8p (directed by Frank Macek and produced by Jeff Yakawiak) followed by ESPN's national production on WKYC beginning at 8p. Channel 3 News will also be live next Thursday, August 21st, at 6p and 7p from FirstEnergy Stadium to show you all the new improvements the stadium this year. Our entire WKYC evening anchor team will broadcast live from the stadium on both editions of Channel 3 News. We are seeing plenty of new faces at Channel 3 this month. Let's get you caught up. Jiselle Macalaguin is joining the WKYC digital team as a Digital Content Producer starting August 18th. Mack comes to use as Internet Managing Editor at WNWO/NBC 24 in Toledo. Lexxi Gilles recently joined our team ...

Special to the Director's Cut Blog Carl Icahn By Gary Strauss, USA Today Activist investor Carl Icahn has taken a stake in Gannett, saying the TV and newspaper company that publishes USA TODAY (and part company of WKYC-TV), is undervalued. Icahn has amassed a stake in Gannett, according to a Securities & Exchange Commission filing Thursday. The filing says Gannett shares are undervalued and that value could be created by splitting the companies print and broadcasting divisions -- a move Gannett CEO Gracia Martore already announced  Aug. 5. The 13D filing says Icahn plans to "have discussions" with Gannett's management and board of directors "relating to the planned separation, corporate governance, capitalization and capital allocation." Gannett shares were up 6.3% to $36.20 in after-hours trading, when the filing was disclosed. Icahn was not available for comment. A spokeswoman said Icahn says the 13D-filing "speaks for itself."