Brandon Merano is a central Illinois native who started his journalism career his senior year at SIU working for WSILTV in Carterville, Illinois. He began as an associate producer, morning show photographer then reporter upon graduation from Southern Illinois University where he graduated with honors.

When he was 17 years old, Brandon enlisted in the Illinois Air National Guard where he served as an in-flight refueler, otherwise known as a “boom operator” deploying more than a dozen times in the Pacific, Europe and Middle East. He is currently still serving as a Lieutenant in the Air National Guard to this day.

After 6 years and a promotion to evening anchor at WSIL, Merano went on to work at KSDKTV as an anchor/reporter in St. Louis for three years,  then WBBM in Chicago as a reporter. He was nominated for multiple regional Emmy’s along the way, winning one in St. Louis. Brandon is also a huge Cardinal, Blues, Bears, and Bulls fan. He’s covered multiple Cardinal pennant chases, a Blues Stanley Cup Championship in 2019 and the PGA Championship in 2018.

Brandon is overjoyed to be back home in central Illinois working alongside the likes of Jennifer Roscoe, Jessica Kunz, Kevin Lighty and his former college classmate and coworker Bret Beherns. Brandon will be anchoring the 5p.m. and 10p.m. newscasts at WCIA 3 Monday through Friday and tell the stories of people doing wonderful things in central Illinois for his franchise ‘Everyday Heroes’. When Brandon isn’t at work at WCIA 3 you can most likely find him spending time with his YorkiePoo Boomer, volunteering in the community, or playing at one of our area’s many golf courses.