Cleveland 13 News Beats ABC and CBS Affiliates in Scene's Best of Cleveland Awards

CLEVELAND, OH — Cleveland 13 News, a volunteer-powered, not-for-profit newsroom launched in response to growing civic distrust in traditional media, earned third place in the 2025 Best of Cleveland awards for Best Local TV Newscast, as announced June 5 by Cleveland Scene. Founder Matt Greminger placed second in the Best News Reporter category, trailing only Fox 8’s Natalie Herbick.

Cleveland 13’s placement positions it above CBS 19 and News 5, two legacy network affiliates with far larger budgets and full-time staff. “I’m honored to share that I placed 2nd for Best News Reporter in Cleveland, and Cleveland 13 News came in 3rd for Best Local TV Network; outranking major network giants like CBS 19 and ABC 5,” Greminger wrote in a Facebook post. “That’s no small feat. That’s a statement.”

The network, built without corporate sponsors, advertising revenue, or paid staff, operates entirely on community trust and volunteer labor. Since its inception, it has focused on producing transparent, impact-driven journalism that serves local residents over advertisers. Greminger, known on-air and online as “Gremi,” founded Cleveland 13 less than two years ago, driven by a mission to fill a growing void in local journalism.

“This isn’t just about one reporter or one station,” Greminger wrote. “This is about a movement toward media that listens, reflects, and responds to the people it serves.”

Cleveland 13’s editorial team includes Emmy Award-winning journalist Denise Zarrella and community reporter Nikkie Brown, whose “Hit the Town” series highlights underrepresented voices, small businesses, and cultural initiatives. Other contributors include Marcus Donald, David Heckman, Jayda Marie, Lauren Portier, Kristy Acuti, Jackie Bertolette, and Darvio Morrow, CEO of First Class Broadcasting and a member of the station’s board.

The network has grown into a trusted source of local news by prioritizing editorial independence and public accountability. According to internal analytics, Cleveland 13 is now the most intentionally accessed news platform in Northeast Ohio. The recognition by Cleveland Scene voters affirms a shift in public demand toward journalism that is locally rooted and transparently operated.

Also honored was Cleveland 13 advisory board member Sara Continenza, who placed second for Best Activist. Her nonprofit, Food Strong, came in second in the Best Charity or Nonprofit category, further highlighting the network’s ties to Cleveland’s grassroots ecosystem.

Greminger acknowledged the accomplishments of the winning reporters and outlets, stating, “Congratulations to Fox 8 News for winning Best Local TV Newscast, and to Natalie Herbick for taking the top spot as Best Reporter. That’s well-earned and well-deserved recognition.”

The full list of winners and finalists is available on Cleveland Scene's official website.