Waking up in Northeast Ohio usually involves a few constants: gray skies, a strong cup of coffee, and the familiar faces on Channel 3. But if you’ve tuned in lately, things might look a little different than they did a year or two ago. TV news is a revolving door, honestly. Anchors come, anchors go, and sometimes they just swap chairs.
The current lineup of channel 3 cleveland news anchors at WKYC Studios is a mix of "wait, I know them!" and "who's the new person?" It’s a delicate balance. You want the authority of a veteran who’s been through every blizzard since '93, but you also need that fresh energy for the 5 a.m. slot.
Basically, the station has been going through a massive refresh. They even renamed some of the shows. "Go!" is out. Now it's just "3News at 5A and 6A." Simple, right?
The Heavy Hitters: Who's Leading the Desk?
Russ Mitchell is still the king of the mountain here. If you’ve lived in Cleveland for more than five minutes, you know Russ. He’s the Managing Editor and lead anchor, bringing that "CBS News" gravitas to the 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. broadcasts. He’s been here since 2012, and honestly, it’s hard to imagine the 11 o’clock news without that voice. He makes the world feel a little less chaotic.
Then there's Christi Paul. She’s a powerhouse. Many remember her from her days on CNN Newssource and HLN, but she’s been a staple at WKYC for a while now. She specializes in those deep-dive stories that actually require a bit of brainpower.
- Russ Mitchell: The veteran leader.
- Christi Paul: The investigative/deep-coverage expert.
- Jay Crawford: He’s everywhere. Morning news, sports—you name it. He’s got that "guy you’d want to grab a beer with" vibe that works so well in the Midwest.
Morning Shakeups and New Faces
The biggest recent shocker? Danita Harris.
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For 24 years, she was a fixture at WEWS (Channel 5). Then, in a move that felt like a major sports trade, she hopped over to Channel 3 in early 2024. She now anchors the morning show alongside Dave Chudowsky. It was a huge get for WKYC. Danita has this warmth that actually makes you feel okay about being awake at 5 a.m.
She replaced Maureen Kyle on the morning desk, as Maureen shifted gears to work on "Mom Squad" and other streaming projects for Tegna (the parent company).
Speaking of the morning, we have to talk about the weather. Mark Johnson is back! Well, back on TV. After a messy exit from Channel 5, he landed at WKYC in late 2025. He’s handling the 5, 7, and 11 p.m. weather slots. Clevelanders love Mark because he’s a straight shooter. He doesn't just tell you it's snowing; he tells you exactly how much your commute is going to suck.
The Midday Experiment
In October 2025, WKYC launched "3News at Noon." They realized people are actually home for lunch and want to know what happened since they left the house. Brissa Bradfield and David Greenberg are the duo running that show. It’s shorter, punchier, and designed for people who are probably scrolling on their phones while they eat.
The Experts in the Field
It isn't just about the people sitting behind the big glass desk.
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Monica Robins is the Senior Health Correspondent. She’s been doing this for ages and is arguably one of the most trusted voices in medical reporting in the country, let alone Ohio. When she talks about a new virus or a breakthrough surgery at the Clinic, people actually listen.
And you can't talk about Channel 3 without mentioning Leon Bibb. The man is a legend. A literal Hall of Famer. He’s a "Senior Reporter and Commentator" now, which basically means he tells the stories that matter most to the soul of Cleveland. His "My Ohio" segments are the kind of thing that makes you proud to live here.
Why Do Anchors Keep Leaving?
It’s the question everyone asks on Facebook the second a face disappears. "Where did they go?" "Did they get fired?"
Usually, it's just business. Sara Shookman, a beloved evening anchor, stepped away a couple of years back to focus on family and creative stuff. Lynna Lai also moved on recently, which left a big hole in the weekend and evening slots.
Sometimes it's about the money. Sometimes it's the schedule. Imagine working the 11 p.m. news for ten years—you never see your family at night. Eventually, people want a normal life. Or they want a bigger market like Chicago or New York.
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The Streaming Shift
WKYC is leaning hard into streaming. They have a 6:30 p.m. show on WKYC+ now. Why? Because half of us aren't even home by 6:00, and we definitely aren't sitting in front of a traditional TV. They’re hiring people who are "multi-platform," meaning they can write a digital story, film a TikTok, and anchor a live broadcast without breaking a sweat.
What to Watch For Next
If you're looking to keep up with the team, here’s how to actually do it without getting confused by the shifting schedules.
- Check the 5 p.m. for Mark Johnson: If you want the most "Cleveland" weather forecast, that's your slot.
- Follow Sia Nyorkor on Socials: She’s one of the most active anchors online and gives a lot of behind-the-scenes looks at how the news actually gets made.
- Stream WKYC+ at 6:30: If you miss the main news, this is the best "TL;DR" of the day.
- Watch Front Row Friday: This is where Mike Polk Jr. and Sia Nyorkor let loose. It’s less "hard news" and more "what's happening this weekend."
The world of local TV is changing fast. Between the Nexstar/Tegna merger talks and the rise of streaming, the faces you see today might change by next year. But for now, the Mitchell-Paul-Harris trio is the bedrock of Channel 3. They’ve managed to keep that "local" feel while the industry around them gets increasingly corporate.
Keep an eye on the noon broadcast—that’s where they’re testing out the next generation of lead anchors. David Greenberg and Brissa Bradfield are definitely the ones to watch for the future of the station.