Director's Cut Blog with Frank Macek

By Frank Macek @maceknewsnation How many of these familiar faces can you remember from the Channel 3 News team back in 2008? Take a guess first, then click here  for the correct answers! #1. #2.   #3.     #4.   #5.   #6.  

By Frank Macek @maceknewsnation Check out these classic promos featuring the Channel 3 News Team featuring the main talent of Tim White, Romona Robinson, Mark Nolan and Jim Donovan from 2007. How many of these do you remember on the air? Our special thanks to David Hrvatin at WKYC for digitizing these promos here at WKYC Studios.

By Frank Macek @maceknewsnation If you missed the inaugural show of "What's New" at 5p, you can watch it again below with Jay Crawford, Betsy Kling, Stephanie Haney and Matt Wintz. (pictured below) The "What's New" team. Photo by Matt Wintz Feel free to post your comments below about the show. "What's New" replaces "Ellen" who moves to 4 p.m., while "Dr. Phil" moves to 3 p.m. and "Daily Blast Live" now airs at 2 p.m. "Kelly Clarkson" moved to 11 a.m. followed  by the newly titled show "It's About You" (formery "Live on  Lakeside" at noon Monday through Thursday and "We the People" on Friday. Watch today's debut below:

By Frank Macek @maceknewsnation Time for another installment of "Throwback Thursday" which takes a look back at some of the historical milestones at WKYC Studios. The time machine takes us back to 1991 with a timeline of some of the biggest moments of that year at WKYC. February 28, 1991: Jennifer Auther departs WKYC-TV for KPIX-TV/San Francisco. March 25, 1991: WKYC-TV becomes the first Cleveland station to install robotic cameras and the last to begin accepting “infomercials.” The cameras were nicknamed “Mike, “Bob” and “Louie” (probably after the previous cameramen). May 1, 1991: WKYC-TV announces the resignation of Vice President and General Manager John Llewellyn and remains with the station through May 31 st . Llewellynn guided the station through the ownership transition period from NBC to Multimedia. May 1991: Linda Carson departs WKYC-TV for WWSB-TV/Sarasota. June 10, 1991: WKYC-TV names Pat Servodidio as Vice President & General Manager from...

Special to the Director's Cut By Margaret Bernstein, wkyc.com Russ Mitchell interviews his new mentee on air during Mentor Monday 2019. 1,000 mentors are needed to help local students succeed in college. And if you have a college degree, you fit the bill. For the second year, WKYC Studios will present “Mentor Monday,” a day-long on-air recruiting blitz that seeks volunteer mentors to be paired with Say Yes to Education scholarship recipients. This year, Mentor Monday will be held on Monday, Jan. 27. Throughout the day, WKYC’s newscasts will highlight the College Now of Greater Cleveland mentoring program and give viewers the opportunity to sign up to participate. During Mentor Monday last year, WKYC anchor Russ Mitchell announced that he had personally become a College Now mentor to a Cleveland high school student. The campaign not only netted 125 volunteers in one day, it also had a tremendous ripple effect, helping lay the groundwork for College Now to meet its overall goal ...

By Frank Macek @maceknewsnation WKYC has a number of new changes to our daytime lineup effective January 20th as we get set to launch our brand new show at 5 p.m. weekdays. "What's New" will air at 5 p.m. with Jay Crawford & Betsy Kling and will feature the news of the day along with lifestyle and entertainment news. Here is the new lineup on 3 for the time slots affected: 3 a.m. - "Kelly Clarkson" (Monday through Thursday - repeat) 3 a.m. - "Dr. Phil" (Friday - repeat) 4 a.m. - "Early Today" (NBC) 4:30 a.m. to 7 a.m. - "3News: Go" 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. - "Today" 11 a.m. - "Kelly Clarkson" 12 p.m. - "It's About You" (Monday thru Thursday) 12 p.m. - "We the People" (Friday) 1  p.m. - "Days of Our Lives" 2 p.m. -  "Daily Blast Live" 3 p.m. - "Dr. Phil" 4 p.m. - "Ellen" 5 p.m. - "3News: What's New"

By Frank Macek @maceknewsnation We are always on the look out for classic WKYC gems. This time, we flashback to August 8, 1994, when Channel 3 Meteorologist Amy Hasten filled in for Tom Haley on "Today in Cleveland." Here's Del and Amy... Enjoy!  

The clock is ticking...and the debut of our new 5 p.m. show "What's New" is coming soon to 3 with Jay Crawford and Betsy Kling.

What can I say? I'm nostalgic when it comes to the history of WKYC. Check out some of the pictures of from the Channel 3 Digital Broadcast Center (when we called it that) from 2007. Main Channel 3 Anchor Desk Channel 3 Weather Center Overhead shot of main anchor seat from web center Overhead shot of main anchor seat from web center Weather chromakey wall Channel 3 Interview Set Channel 3 Newsroom Channel 3 main hallway Channel 3 Control Room A

How many of these familiar faces can you remember from the Channel 3 News team back in 2006? Take a guess first, then click here  for the correct answers! #1.   #2.      #3.         #4.         #5.         #6. 

Time for another installment of "Throwback Thursday" which takes a look back at some of the historical milestones at WKYC Studios. The time machine takes us back to 1974 with a timeline of some of the biggest moments of that year at WKYC. 1974: Dick Feagler joins WKYC-TV as a commentator and weekly interview host, while continuing as a columnist for the Cleveland Press until its death in 1982. April 9, 1974: Paul Sciria officially departs WKYC-TV for WWWM-FM/Cleveland after his contract isn’t renewed. September 5, 1974: Permission is granted by the FCC to move WWWE-AM’s transmitter back to Brecksville from Parma and grant the main studio move from WKYC-TV studios at E. 6 th to East 12 th and Chester breaking the final link between WKYC-TV and the radio stations. October 1974: Mike Landess joins WKYC-TV from KYW-TV/Philadelphia where he will become a main co-anchor. October 14, 1974: WKYC-TV rebrands its news from “NBC Newsday 90” to “Action3News” and e...

WKYC will present a day of Christmas specials on Wednesday, December 25th, that begins right after "What's Next" at 11p on Christmas Eve. Here is our programming lineup from the WKYC Studios. Have a happy holiday from all of us at 3. PROGRAM SCHEDULE: 11:35 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. - Christmas Eve Mass 1:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. - The Spirit of Christmas 2:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m. - Sister Circle 3:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. -  The Story of the First Noel 5:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. - Christmas Liturgical 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. - An American Christmas 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. - Today Show 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. - The Spirit of Christmas 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. - Jim Brickman "A Joyful Christmas" 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. - Days of Our Lives 2:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. - Christmas Movie Block (with no commercials)    2:00 p.m. to 3:21 p.m. - Beyond Tomorrow    3:21 p.m. to 4:51 p.m. - The Great Rupert    4:51 p.m. to 6:10 p.m. -  March of the Woo...

Betsy Kling & Jay Crawford WKYC STUDIOS President and General Manager Micki Byrnes announced that an exciting new broadcast will be added to the evening news lineup in January 2020: What’s New with Jay Crawford and Betsy Kling at 5 p.m. “What better way to kick off a new year than with a new show? Jay and Betsy will share a fresh take on the day’s top stories and highlight the bold breakthroughs and interesting people who are moving Northeast Ohio forward,” said Byrnes.  "We are absolutely thrilled to launch this new show with Betsy and Jay as their passion for all things Northeast Ohio will shine in the stories and reports they'll share," said Adam Miller, Director of Content. "Their energy and personalities pop right through the screen and I'm excited for Clevelanders to connect with them on 'What's New".  What’s New is more than a new broadcast with new co-hosts, it’s an opportunity for two accomplished people at the top of their re...

We are always on the lookout for classic WKYC gems. Let's flashback to September 29, 1995, for Channel 3 News at Noon with Cory Thompson and Jodine Costanzo.

Christmas 2019 is fast upon us and we are in the holiday spirit at the WKYC Studios. Take a look at some of the holiday Christmas decorations this year! WKYC Studios WKYC anchors Russ Mitchell and Sara Shookman decorating the newsroom WKYC Studios WKYC Studios WKYC Studios

By Dave "Dino" DeNatale Special to the Director's Cut Blog Jim Donovan This is a story that I'm pleased to get to write. On Monday, the National Sports Media Association announced its nominations for their 2019 awards. At the state level, 3News sports anchor and the radio play-by-play voice of the Cleveland Browns, Jim Donovan, is one of three finalists for Ohio Sportscaster of the Year. Jimmy was nominated alongside the voice of the Cincinnati Bengals, Dan Hoard, as well as Jim Day, who serves as the television pregame and postgame show host for the Cincinnati Reds. Voting will take place from December 1 through December 31 by members of the National Sports Media Association. Winners will be announced during the second week of January, then honored at a June awards celebration in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Amazingly enough, in his 35 years of sportscasting in Northeast Ohio, Jimmy has never won the award. However, prior to coming to WKYC Studios ...

Special to the Director's Cut Blog from wkyc.com 3News anchor Sara Shookman and husband Angelo DiFranco are expecting their first child. Sara and Angelo met in 2005 while they were both students at Ohio University. However, Sara says sparks didn’t fly until 2012, when Angelo unexpectedly asked her out during a speech at a friend’s wedding. The two married in the fall of 2017 and now, they’re embarking on a new journey together—parenthood. During a recorded message, where the 3News Team shared what they were most thankful for this holiday season, Shookman made the surprise announcement during 3News’ ‘What Matters Most’ at 6 p.m. See the full clip in the player below. Sara and Angelo are the proud parents of a sweet pup named Basil but are excited to welcome a baby human to their tribe. Baby DiFranco is expected May 2020, something to really be thankful for this holiday season. Join us in wishing them congratulations on this new and exciting chapter!

How many of these familiar faces can you remember from the Channel 3 News team back in 2004? Take a guess first, then click here  for the correct answers! #1. #2. #3. #4. #5. #6.

Special to the Director's Cut Blog from wkyc.com For more than 30 years, Lisa Lowry has made sure that our anchors and reporters at 3News are covering the stories that matter most to Northeast Ohioans. Thursday night, our longtime assignment editor was honored by the Press Club of Cleveland with induction into their Journalism Hall of Fame. The festivities were held at LaCentre Conference & Banquet Facility in Westlake. Lowry joins several other 3News team members who are in the Press Club of Cleveland Hall of Fame including: Leon Bibb, inducted into the Class of 1999; recipient of the 2018 Chuck Heaton Award Jim Donovan, inducted into the Class of 2009 Tom Beres, inducted into the Class of 2011 Betsy Kling, recipient of the 2015 Chuck Heaton Award Russ Mitchell, inducted into the Class of 2017 Denise Polverine, inducted into the Class of 2018 RELATED: Press Club of Cleveland honors WKYC's Leon Bibb and Denise Polverine at Hall of Fame ceremony ...

We are always on the lookout for classic WKYC gems. Let's flashback to July 26, 1996, for Channel 3 News at 11 pm with Judd Hambrick, Dawn Stensland, Amy Hasten and Ron Jantz (filling in for Jim Donovan).

Time for another installment of "Throwback Thursday" which takes a look back at some of the historical milestones at WKYC Studios. The time machine takes us back to 2005 with a timeline of some of the biggest moments of that year at WKYC. January 2005: AJ Colby joins WKYC-TV from WJW-TV/Cleveland as a freelance meteorologist. February 6, 2005: Eileen McShea’s contract ends, although she remains on the air sporadically through May 2005. March 2005: Paxson Communications announces it will end its partnership with WKYC-TV and puts “The Akron/Canton News” in doubt on WVPX/Channel 23. June 2005: John Friess departs WKYC-TV for KRON-TV/San Francisco. July 4, 2005: WKYC-TV moves “The Akron/Canton News” from WVPX-TV/Akron-Canton to Time Warner Cable Channel 23 at 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. (previously 10 p.m.) with anchor Eric Mansfield, reporters Ben Holbert, Joy Benedict and other members of the Channel 3 News team. July 25, 2005: Jacque Smith joins WKYC-TV from...

Sunday marked 30 years since 10-year-old Amy Mihaljevic vanished from a Bay Village shopping plaza. Her disappearance ended in heartbreak and tragedy when her body was found months later in an Ashland County field. Three decades later, her killer remains free and investigators are still searching for answers. RELATED: Amy Should Be Forty: A look back on the murder case of Bay Village's Amy Mihaljevic 3News has launched a podcast to remember Amy, and to take a deep dive into her case. What clues could help detectives finally find justice for Amy? The "Amy Should Be Forty" podcast launched Sunday, Oct. 27, the 30-year anniversary of Amy's disappearance. The five-episode series includes insight and memories from Amy's family, investigators who have pursued her case and former Cleveland Scene crime reporter James Renner. Listen to "Amy Should Be Forty" wherever podcasts are found. Click here to listen on Spotify and here to listen on Apple. ...

Hard to believe it's been 30 years since one of Channel 3's most successful morning programs went off the air. "AM Cleveland" was launched as a challenger to WEWS Channel 5's "The Morning Exchange" when the show debuted on May 9, 1983, with newcomer Scott Newell who joined WKYC from WXIA-TV in Atlanta. The show aired weekdays from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. with a live studio audience and periodically would do remote shows from various malls around northeast Ohio, many of which no longer exist today. Newell reminds us that Pierce Brosnan from "Remington Steele" and "James Bond" fame was the very first guest on the show in 1983 from the studios at 1403 E. 6th Street. By 1986, AM Cleveland surpassed "The Morning Exchange" in ratings. However, the show would end its run on March 31, 1989, after 6 terrific years and thousands of guests. Recently, a 30 year reunion was held at the WKYC Studios now located at 1333 Lakeside Avenue...

As you know, we celebrated our 70th year on the air at Channel 3 last October and will always remember our first broadcast on Halloween night, October 31, 1948 as WNBK-TV Channel 4. A good part of our history comes from those early years when WNBK-TV moved from Channel 4 to Channel 3. The station would then become KYW as part of a station swap between NBC and Westinghouse that would eventually be un-done by the FCC several years later. At that point, KYW-TV changed call letters to what they are today: WKYC. Let's take a look at the first 35 years that was celebrated in 1983 and hosted by former WKYC anchor Judd Hambrick. Enjoy! 71 years is just one week away!

Check out these classic photos from 2007 of the Channel 3 helicopter called "Chopper 3" flying over the skies of northeast Ohio. The helicopter was used to gather news and provide live reports from major breaking news events. Often, you would see a reporter doing a live broadcast from the helicopter during one of our live newscasts. Sadly, the helicopter was grounded because of the high expenses involved with maintaining, fueling and providing insurance. The advent of new technology, like drones and cellular backpacks, would forever change the way we would cover news at WKYC. Chopper 3 Chopper 3 Chopper 3 Dan Bowman with Mike Harris (Photo courtesy: Bob Keyes) Bob Keyes (Photo Courtesy: Bob Keyes)