From pulling teeth to kicking butt!

Let me preface this post by saying this blog is about life in a newsroom on a news desk. Hopefully interesting and entertaining and truthful to everyone and anyone who chooses to read it.

Everyday can not be sunshine and roses and dancing and singing.

No one's job, life, or surroundings are like that 24/7.

So as not to get ambushed by anyone saying, "there goes Danielle with a salty attitude!" For the record, having a salty attitude is not in my vocabulary nor in my actions.

I LOVE what I do, where I do it and frankly give 200 percent every single minute of every single day whether anyone wants to truly admit how much I contribute or not!

I report the facts and respect the truth.

And honestly, the start of today's work day was like pulling teeth. I don't want to lie to you. I kept a smile on my face and my chin up and morale in the newsroom buzzing along! I was humming and singing! But, let me set the stage. At least a dozen times, I had to 'find' someone. Trying to 'locate' staff members took away from my first 2 hours doing what I really needed to do.

Now, normally when I come to work, I come to work --to work!

Thank God I had Sarah the intern. She was able to log the competition, answer phones and type up fact sheets while I tracked down those trying to elude the desk!

So, yes, I won't lie. The 1st couple hours were a bit exasperating.

But, with my attitude and take charge mentality, I was not gonna let that get me down one bit. We kicked a little booty.

Mobilized crews as best we could on the best stories of the day.

Honestly, having an intern for part of my shift, I was able to assist the web folks on attaching video to the web and writing stories throughout my entire shift. Great feeling!

Then, Dick Russ, being the Fugitive of the Week guru, received the big call that the Mansfield sex offender who took 4-year-old Haylee had been caught in San Diego. We were all over this story. We were in contact with San Diego. Dick Russ wrote the web story from home. And CNN managed to get a sat truck to the press conference with U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott, which we took in live for our news broadcasts...great start to, what should prove to be, a big story over the next few days!

We always strive to get more than the competition and that little niche that others may not effort. We were able to get some good video for Sports Anchor extraordinaire, Jim Donovan, of Asdrubal Cabrera playing for the Akron Aeros as well as Aaron Laffey pitching for Akron. It's those little stories and added effort that puts us a step ahead of the others.....Comparing Jim's sportscast to all the other stations --no comparison!

And then Senior Political Reporter, Tom Beres, and his crew Mark Smilor were all over the Recall Election of Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic. Web Reporter Kim Wendel was updating the web as fast as Tom was calling in the results.....

A great team effort from everyone Tuesday! And, it showed in the live broadcast.

Again, when the day does not begin on a good note, never let it get you down. I find it always works itself out and usually winds up being one heck of a blockbuster day!!!

iAlert System & so much more...news is closed!

Wednesday, thus far, has been an extremely busy news day. And that is why I am in this business! Factoring in the weather and school closings alone would be enough. These tasks are my sole focal point today.

But wait, there's more.

We have Cuyahoga County Commissioner Peter Lawson Jones in house speaking live on air during our 7pm Show with Senior Political Reporter Tom Beres, Carole Sullivan, and Eric Mansfield about the Medical Mart.

Mike O'Mara covered a story that hits close to home for me. He went to the arraignment of Dr. Yazeed Essa, who has been charged with poisoning his wife, Rosemarie, back in February of 2005. I went to high school with Rosemarie's sister, Deanna. Every time we hear from the DiPuccio family, see Deanna in our video or hear the awful story behind this case, I get chills knowing that someone I know is living this nightmare.

Our newsroom has been bustling today. A few folks from The Plain Dealer dropped in to look around and talk to staffers --why? Honestly, I am not privy to why at this time, and if I were, I'm betting I could not share with you! I'm sure we will all read about it in the PD over the coming days or weeks.

The email continue coming in...and I've learned that even if the email comes in before or after I arrive, I still need to wade through every single piece. It may not be addressed to the entire news desk or some of it may be falling through the cracks due to the mass amount we are dealing with....so better safe than sorry! But, this too, takes up a good bulk of my time!



As many of you already may have heard, we have updated our iAlert School Closing System.

There are now 3 bars of information for our viewers including a 'just in' line for newer closings and delays.

With any new venture or project, there are bugs that need to be worked out...a 'work in progress' so to speak.

So far, my experience with the system has been a dream! It is much quicker, easier and can allow us to type the day closed, status, and include a time for the closing to expire.

I've spoken to many customers who have voiced their concerns, though, about the system.

Many callers say the screen is too much. Others say with their new fancy HDTV's, they can not see the very bottom line or the sides get cut off.

Still other administrators who are trying to use the phone-in system get cut off and can not type in the status they desire. I've been trying to get everyone to log onto the website and do it that way, which is so much easier.

I'm sure, part of the problems are the school folks getting used to the new system, and some user error.


Many supers and program directors claim they never received a new packet of information....


This will be a learning process for all involved. But again, overall, it has been a dream on this end.


I urge superintendents, school and church administrators, company bosses, business leaders who want to be a part of the iAlert System to send or email a request on company letterhead to either newsdesk@wkyc.com or asisak@wkyc.com or fax 216.344.3314. Our system administrator will get back to you with an ID and Password and packet of information on how to use the upgraded system.

And remember for the future, do this BEFORE the snow falls!!!!! It will make your life much easier!!!

Breaking stories, Exclusives

Today is a 'good' day at the office.

The kind of day news people strive for on a daily basis.

I have to admit, my day started off rocky. In the great scheme of life's daily tragedies, my inconvenience is nothing compared to those dying in Iraq, fathers and mothers who can not feed their children and so many other hardships plaguing the world.

However, in my world, it was a pain in the butt arriving for work, early, and being banished to park outdoors in the snow. This is a daily occurrence for my shift. We always get shut out. It sucks (I know, that phrase sounds so adult) and puts a bad taste to the start of my day... but that's life! I deal with it, because I'm overjoyed to still have a job!

It goes to show you, live for every second....battle every moment.....and eventually you will overcome anything--from the smallest of inconveniences to life-threatening illnesses and situations. Don't give up hope, ever!!!! And do not let those little 'pieces of popcorn stuck in your teeth' get you down for very long!!!!!!


After my initial minor set back, the day got rolling at full speed ahead. THE best Sportscaster I have ever worked with broke the Cleveland Browns new coach story way ahead of the competition nationwide! Jim Donovan's expertise and knowledge of his craft surpasses most. Eric Mangini has become the Cleveland Browns Head Coach. Jim Donovan blows me away day in and day out by his smarts, the stories he regularly breaks, his passion, his quick wit, his wealth of knowledge, his memory bank, the excellent packages he crafts, and then the way he presents it all on the Sports Anchor Desk.

Donovan works harder than anyone in this building. I can say that 100 percent sure. Jim starts his day early at Browns Camp or covering the Indians or Cavs and works through the 11pm News. In the midst of his long day, he also tapes numerous shows, segments and one-on-one interviews which air not only on wkyc but on SportsTime Ohio. He does work on the web and radio call in shows. And, he anchors other live broadcasts including 'The Point After.' I do not know how he does it. He is one of Channel 3's top assets, and I sure hope everyone knows what a gem we have in Jim Donovan and his commitment to Channel 3, SportsTime Ohio, The Cleveland Browns, the Cleveland Indians and all of his projects!


If that was not enough news, Senior Political Correspondent Tom Beres scored a HUGE get with his EXCLUSIVE ONE-ON-ONE interview with the head of PNC Bank, James Rohr (PNC Chairman). Mr. Rohr, in town to speak with National City Bank workers and community leaders, took time out of his busy day to sit down with Beres and share his thoughts on the NCB/PNC situation as well as his fond memories of his early ties to the Cleveland area.

Tom Beres is yet another valuable asset to the Channel 3 Family with his experience, contacts, dedication to putting together the best story he can produce for our customers, and mastery of the political arena in Northeast Ohio. Tom always juggles multiple stories on a daily basis for every show and the web. It is not uncommon for the assignment editor and the producer to get a 'love call' from Mr. Beres on a regular basis. When he gets calls at home from his contacts, he immediately calls them in so we can break the news first. He, too, has passion for his craft and tries to get a new political nugget in each live show.

You can also catch Tom Beres on his 'Between the Lines' Segment each Sunday morning during our morning show which runs from 9am until 1030am.


It was a good news day! We hope you enjoyed the show and keep coming back to Channel 3 News and wkyc.com!!!!!