Gray Station in Cleveland Faces Freezing Newsroom Conditions

Employees at WOIO rely on portable space heaters to stay warm amid ongoing heating issues

Jan. 29, 2026 at 12:31am

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Employees at Gray's WOIO station in Cleveland have been working in harsh, freezing conditions for over a month as the station's heating system remains broken. With no word on when the heat will be restored, staffers have resorted to wearing jackets, blankets, and huddling near portable space heaters just to stay warm in the newsroom.

Why it matters

The inability to maintain a comfortable working environment at the station raises concerns about employee morale, productivity, and health, especially during the winter months. It also highlights the challenges that local news outlets can face in terms of aging infrastructure and budget constraints.

The details

According to reports, the heat and hot water issues at WOIO first arose in December 2025. While the water problem was eventually resolved, the heating system has remained broken, forcing the station to rely on portable space heaters placed around the newsroom. Employees say that if they are not within a few feet of a space heater, 'it's cold as fuck' in the newsroom.

  • The heating and hot water issues at WOIO first arose in December 2025.
  • Over a month later, in late January 2026, the heat is still not working at the station.

The players

WOIO

A television station owned by the Gray Television group and located in Cleveland, Ohio.

Gray Television

A media company that owns and operates multiple television stations across the United States, including WOIO in Cleveland.

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The takeaway

This situation at WOIO highlights the challenges that local news stations can face in maintaining basic infrastructure and providing a comfortable working environment for their employees, especially during harsh winter conditions. It raises questions about the long-term sustainability of aging newsroom facilities and the need for greater investment in modernizing local media operations.