Chris Tanaka

Anchor

Cleveland, Ohio

Chris anchors the 5 p.m. and 11 p.m. newscasts on Cleveland 19 and the 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. on CLE43.

Chris joined the Cleveland 19 news team in July of 2016, after a five-year stay in Honolulu, Hawaii. While there, he covered everything from politics to tropical storms to shark attacks and Marcus Mariota's meteoric rise to Heisman Trophy winner.

While the move to Cleveland may seem in sharp contrast to Hawaii, Chris has roots in Ohio. His father was born and raised in Lakewood. His aunt still lives in Cleveland.

An award-winning journalist, Chris was previously Sports Director for KDVR in Denver, Co. His on-air career began in Great Falls, Montana.

Chris earned an undergraduate degree from Boston College and an MBA from Regis University in Denver.

He's happily married with two young boys. He says his interests include "running slowly, golfing poorly, and dining generously."

Education

Boston College

MBA from Regis University in Denver

19 News Investigative Unit

FILE - Marijuana (AP Photo/Richard Vogel, File)

Will Ohio legalize recreational marijuana? Voters could decide before lawmakers

Updated: Nov. 30, 2021 at 10:47 PM EST

By Chris Tanaka

Thirty cities in Ohio have taken a step forward by decriminalizing misdemeanor cannabis possession. That means having smaller amounts is no longer an arrestable or fineable offense.

The Next 400

Black Ohioans more likely to be arrested for marijuana-related crimes than white counterparts

Updated: Nov. 23, 2021 at 7:28 PM EST

By Chris Tanaka

Black Ohioans are more likely than their white counterparts to be arrested for marijuana-related crimes, even though people of both races use the drug at about the same rate, a 19 new analysis shows.

19 News Investigative Unit

How will life change for Ohioans if lawmakers legalize recreational marijuana?

Updated: Nov. 15, 2021 at 9:06 PM EST

By Chris Tanaka

When the state of Michigan legalized the recreational use of marijuana, residents of Morenci, a small town just over the Ohio border, were concerned about how life would change.

News

Kucinich doubles down on fighting crime in 2nd run for Mayor

Updated: Sep. 9, 2021 at 9:19 PM EDT

By Chris Tanaka

Soon to be 75, Dennis Kucinich is older and has more experience and name recognition than the rest of the field.

Top Story

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost has directed the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy (OPOTA) to...

Community, families demand accountability: ‘You can’t have the police investigating the police’

Updated: Jun. 4, 2021 at 10:21 PM EDT

By Chris Tanaka

A coalition called Citizens for a Safer Cleveland seeks community oversight when it comes to the Cleveland police department.

The Next 400

The Next 400: One family, three generations fighting discrimination

Updated: Mar. 5, 2021 at 10:30 PM EST

By Chris Tanaka and Stephanie Czekalinski

It is a remarkable legacy. One family. Three generations of breaking barriers in Cleveland.

The Next 400

The Next 400: Communities continue to suffer from redlining’s racist effects

Updated: Mar. 5, 2021 at 5:40 PM EST

By Chris Tanaka

Areas that were redlined decades ago still lag in home value, access to education, health care, broadband penetration, and more.

Vaccine

This school year is anything but normal from years past. In addition to stocking up on the...

FDA squeezes Lakewood small business with huge fees over hand sanitizer formula administration gave

Updated: Dec. 31, 2020 at 9:49 PM EST

By Chris Tanaka

After the FDA provided the formula, it is essentially telling the business to pay up or stop. Then, the business will stop producing the product in the new year, losing that revenue and forcing other small businesses to look for a new supplier.

The Next 400

The Next 400: Advisory council with real life steps to combat social and racial injustice

Updated: Oct. 9, 2020 at 11:31 PM EDT

By Chris Tanaka

When 19 News embarked on its hallmark social and racial justice initiative, “The Next 400,” an advisory council was formed. The purpose of the council was to bring together community leaders and stakeholders to guide the decision making, offer advice and insight and audit the quality of reporting.

The Next 400

The Next 400 looks at racial inclusion beginning with classroom lessons in Lakewood

Updated: Sep. 11, 2020 at 9:18 PM EDT

By Chris Tanaka

The Lakewood school district is leading the charge, and challenging what has been taught to students for generations.

The Next 400

The Next 400: Racism in Healthcare

Updated: Aug. 21, 2020 at 11:34 PM EDT

By Chris Tanaka

The experiment went on for forty years, from 1932 to 1972. Black men were told only that they were receiving free healthcare. Many infected their partners, lived tortured lives, and died painful deaths.

The Next 400

Reporter Notebook: Chris Tanaka reveals the importance of ‘The Next 400’

Updated: Jul. 10, 2020 at 6:06 PM EDT

By Chris Tanaka

This is an organic series that will cover major events and developments, but will also follow themes such as education, health care, criminal justice and more.

Politics

What should Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine focus on in 2020? (one-on-one interview)

Updated: Dec. 17, 2019 at 5:10 PM EST

By Chris Tanaka

Chris Tanaka interviews Governor Mike DeWine

Top Story

Flight of a lifetime: Cleveland veterans revisit wartime past, honor fallen heroes

Updated: Nov. 10, 2018 at 1:04 AM EST

By Chris Tanaka

A Veterans Day journey conjures up inspiring and somber tones among Cleveland's finest men and women.

19 News Investigative Unit

Ohio’s legal marijuana: What the government really thinks

Updated: Oct. 9, 2018 at 4:30 AM EDT

By Chris Tanaka

“Sixteen years ago, while I was giving birth to a son--while healthy and perfect in every way--did not make it. I lost more than half my body’s blood volume.”

Health

Five companies will dispense medical cannabis throughout Virginia. (Source: Advocate group NORML)

Medical marijuana in Ohio: What the law allows and prohibits

Updated: Oct. 2, 2018 at 6:31 AM EDT

By Chris Tanaka

Here's a look at what is allowed and what is prohibited with Ohio's medical marijuana law.

News

We're separating fact from fiction regarding medical and recreational marijuana. (Source: WOIO)

Scientists are creating a better pot leaf to treat ailments and illness. But what’s really inside, and is Ohio ready?

Updated: Sep. 25, 2018 at 5:23 AM EDT

By Chris Tanaka

Medical marijuana is now legal in 30 states, with thousands of people turning to it to relieve a variety of maladies. Hemp products are also gaining in popularity and are legal in all 50 states.

Top Story

Ohio man moves to Colorado and quits heroin cold turkey with the help of medical marijuana

Updated: Sep. 17, 2018 at 3:20 PM EDT

By Chris Tanaka

Could medical marijuana help with opioid addiction? One former Ohio man says it saved his life

Health

Dana Daigle talks freely about her opinion of the drug that has taken center stage in Ohio. She...

Ohio medical marijuana, a survivor and a skeptic: Turning a new leaf (part 1)

Updated: Sep. 10, 2018 at 9:36 PM EDT

By Chris Tanaka

"Medical marijuana, I believe, is God's divine intervention."

Cleveland's stay-at-home moms suffer more stress, depression than working mothers

Updated: Feb. 27, 2018 at 9:08 PM EST

By Chris Tanaka

Fifty years ago, nearly half of all women stayed home to raise their kids.

career switch

Challenges of making a career change and how to overcome them

Updated: Feb. 19, 2018 at 11:46 AM EST

By Chris Tanaka

Making a career change can be intimidating. Cleveland 19 brought four people together to share their experiences, challenges and advice for anyone considering taking the leap.

Cuddle therapy: Does it work? Here's what it's like (video)

Updated: Nov. 21, 2017 at 5:07 PM EST

By Chris Tanaka

Still, clients from all walks of life enlist a cuddle therapist's help to get them through whatever issues they are confronting.

Chris Tanaka

Anchor

Cleveland, Ohio

Education

Will Ohio legalize recreational marijuana? Voters could decide before lawmakers

Black Ohioans more likely to be arrested for marijuana-related crimes than white counterparts

How will life change for Ohioans if lawmakers legalize recreational marijuana?

Kucinich doubles down on fighting crime in 2nd run for Mayor

Community, families demand accountability: ‘You can’t have the police investigating the police’

The Next 400: One family, three generations fighting discrimination

The Next 400: Communities continue to suffer from redlining’s racist effects

FDA squeezes Lakewood small business with huge fees over hand sanitizer formula administration gave

The Next 400: Advisory council with real life steps to combat social and racial injustice

The Next 400 looks at racial inclusion beginning with classroom lessons in Lakewood

The Next 400: Racism in Healthcare

Reporter Notebook: Chris Tanaka reveals the importance of ‘The Next 400’

What should Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine focus on in 2020? (one-on-one interview)

Flight of a lifetime: Cleveland veterans revisit wartime past, honor fallen heroes

Ohio’s legal marijuana: What the government really thinks

Medical marijuana in Ohio: What the law allows and prohibits

Scientists are creating a better pot leaf to treat ailments and illness. But what’s really inside, and is Ohio ready?

Ohio man moves to Colorado and quits heroin cold turkey with the help of medical marijuana

Ohio medical marijuana, a survivor and a skeptic: Turning a new leaf (part 1)

Cleveland's stay-at-home moms suffer more stress, depression than working mothers

Challenges of making a career change and how to overcome them

Cuddle therapy: Does it work? Here's what it's like (video)

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