Changes unveiled at WKYC-TV

I'd love to give you the skinny on some exciting changes about to happen here at Channel 3 News.

The irony of it all. I can't!

You would think the person who has her hand in just about everything....who dabbles in many tasks....wears many hats.....and keeps in contact with staffers as part of her job description would have a handle on 'things.'

Think again! An announcement was made at the station today. Our managers summoned everyone near and far for a briefing in our newsroom conference room. Everyone except yours truly.

I had to man the news assignment desk and answer phones! Someone had to do it.

I am getting bits and pieces from various folks who were in attendance. So, as not to spread false information, which never happens in tv, let me give you a place to go to find the particulars.

If there is one thing I've learned about myself, it's this! I do not know everything. BUT, if I don't know something, I usually know where to go to find the answer!!!!

Frank Macek, director extraordinaire, attended the meeting first hand. Frank has a tremendous blog, which I try to emulate as best I can in many respects (while keeping with my view 'through an assignment editor's eyes' perspective).

Log onto Frank's Blog or Eric Mansfield's Blog for details on upcoming changes here at wkyc tv!

Thanks for watching Channel 3 News and logging onto wkyc.com.

We have some exciting changes in store. Please stay with us and send us your feedback! We'd love to hear from you on what YOU WOULD like to see when you tune into Channel 3 News.

Thank you Swing by and Spray readers and fans of Channel 3 News!

Not everyone has a computer

As the person who answers a majority of the viewer phone calls, I have to be cognizant and sensitive to our viewers' concerns and complaints.

We do not get many of these calls, but every week we DO get them.

Today a viewer called in and asked, "why do you tell us to go to wkyc.com for more information? I don't have a computer. And I would hope that any pertinent information we need to know will be given in your newscast!"

Our viewers are very savvy.

I can commiserate with these callers because I know that many people do not have computers. True, anyone can walk into a library or even a coffee shop and possibly log on, but that may not be convenient to many including the elderly.

I log these viewers' concerns and do pass them on...however, also expressing that the pertinent information IS given on our air. Anything the customer needs to know about a situation, especially regarding health, or let's say, a boil alert (as an example) is given out during our numerous news shows throughout the day.

Let's face it, though. It is 2008 and we are in a new dimension. A world of computers, the Internet, the ability to get the news and live broadcasts on your cell phone. Technology, if used for good, can be an amazing adventure.

I also share with our viewers that in this age of the Internet, we have details on our website to augment the story that aired on our news broadcast for those who may want to delve into this topic matter a bit more. We may have links for those really hot on what aired. And, anyone can comment on any story that is on our website. I encourage our viewers who are passionate about a certain story or who want to voice their opinions they can interact. They just have to log on and leave their comments, opinions or views on a certain subject!

There is only so much time allotted for a live broadcast. Only a certain amount of minutes for news /weather /sports. We'd love to air as many stories as we can, and of course, as much on a certain story, but that's not possible. Our website is an exciting mechanism to give our viewers, our customers even more information that they can peruse at their leisure!

We do know that everyone out there does not have a computer. We will give as much information as possible during our live broadcasts!

Thank you all very much for watching Channel 3 News and logging onto wkyc.com!!

Keep watching!

Changing times

Oh, how times are a changing!

As a novice desk person, I tried so hard to cover anything and everything that was happening in order to fill our shows.

I thought everything in the daybook warranted a crew and every big name concert was a must get. Now, we may cover 4 concerts a year of the REAL BIGGIES!!!

And trust me, there are dozens and even hundreds of worthwhile events every single day which would make good stories or what we call 'pacers' --stories that not only inform our customers but help the pace of the show move along!

Just today --realistically, we could have sent a reporter to what we thought was an overturned boat with people in the water......to find out what will house the former Club Moda space.....to explore the outrage directed toward Fannie Lewis' predecessor...or to hear the heroic story of Peggy Whitson, NASA Astronaut, who just spent 6 months on the International Space Station.


Due to changing times, subjectiveness, and scaling back, we could not send a reporter to any of the above.


I pride myself on perfecting my news judgement skills over the years. I'm pretty good at gauging what is or is not a good story. With that fine tuning, it's a bit easier to know what we MUST really get to and what we can 'blow off.'


With experience, it also makes it easier not to stress out as much if I can not cover something, if I miss something ....or get as frustrated when I suggest what I think is a real good story --we don't do it, but every other station in town does it! Let it roll off your back, baby!!!


I do find that great organization, preparation, and communication help immensely when covering the news.


Even with fewer people, if I've done my homework and mapped out a plan, I can cover almost as much with fewer crews by being energized, wise, organized, and not wasting a single second!


My crews may not agree and may not be too happy with me because I keep them hopping, but at least they can say they worked a very productive and satisfying shift!


Then, there are those events that you just feel obligated to cover, whether they are going to air or not. We have the luxury with wkyc.com to give our readers these special stories!


Times are changing. Hopefully, our good news judgement, high standards, willingness to go out of the proverbial box, informative and helpful stories, and quality broadcasts will remain constant through all the changes!!!!!!!!!

What's coming up on Channel 3 News

You all may be well aware of a great new feature which we began about a week ago, but I'd like to share....


Each day, our 6pm, 7pm, and 11pm producers have been making on camera appearances to share details about upcoming stories for their shows...in the 'Producer's Line.'


You can certainly log onto wkyc.com for these teases.


If you are on social media, such as Facebook, take a gander at the wkyc-tv page and get a flavor of the stories we are covering every day.


We post them around 4pm for the early shows and then again sometime between 6pm and 9pm for the late show.


We'd love your feedback! Comments, suggestions!

Keep watching Channel 3 News! And thanks for logging onto wkyc.com!!!!