Broward New Times columnist Bob Norman joins WPLG Local 10 [UPDATED X3]

UPDATED @ 2:50pm: Random Pixels spoke with Norman just a few minutes ago. He says Channel 10 approached him about working for the station. "They asked me if I'd be interested in bringing my brand of journalism to the station and I accepted," said Norman. He rold me he's excited about the new challenge but adds, "It's not easy leaving New Times after 13 years."

UPDATED @ 3:30pm: Norman's boss at New Times, editor Eric Barton, talked with Random Pixels a short time ago and said this: "It's a sad day for us. He was the face of this paper; he put us on the map."

I asked Barton why Norman's posts sometimes generated hundreds of comments. Barton told me, "I think that one of the things Bob did was to create a discussion with his readers. He'll be sorely missed."

UPDATED @ 5:40pm: WPLG's Steve Owen tweets: "Extremely proud Bob Norman is coming to work at Local 10. It's proof that great journalism is still alive and well."

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Just received this email:

I am very happy to announce that one of the finest journalists in South Florida is bringing his talents to the best television station in the market.

Bob Norman has worked for the Broward New Times for the past 13 years. Prior to that, he worked at the Gannett newspaper in Ft. Myers. Bob is a graduate of the University of Kentucky and his wife Brittany is a reporter at the Sun Sentinel.

In his reporting career, Bob has done remarkable work. He has broken countless big stories. He’s exposed corruption. He owned the Scott Rothstein story and many other scandals involving top political leaders in Broward County. He is a top notch reporter, who knows the market and knows how to get to the truth.

Bob will contribute to both on-air and online. His very popular blog, The Daily Pulp, will be moving to Local10.com, under the name Bob Norman’s Blog.

Bob joins us on May 23rd. Prior to that he will be spending some time in Dallas with our talent coaches to help with his transition from newspaper to television. Please make him feel welcome.

Bill Pohovey

VP/News Director

WPLG І LATV Miami І Post-Newsweek Stations

3401 West Hallandale Beach Boulevard, Pembroke Park, Florida 33023

Norman is not the first South Florida print journalist to make the switch to television.

WPLG's Michael Putney got his start in broadcasting when he left the Miami Herald in 1981 to take a reporting gig with WTVJ. He joined Channel 10 in 1989.

CBS 4's Eliott Rodriguez was hired away from the old Miami News by WTVJ in the early 80's.

More recently, journalist Jim DeFede, was hired a few years ago by WFOR after leaving the Miami Herald.